Fiber optic conduits provide fiber optic cables with superior protection and versatility. These conduits are widely used in various industries and employed in many applications. Many companies use these conduits for their numerous benefits to set their cables up for long-term success.
As you consider using fiber optic conduits, find out more about what they are and how they differ from other types of conduits. Additionally, you’ll learn more about the benefits of fiber optic conduits and the various kinds you can choose from.
Table of Contents
What Is a Fiber Optic Conduit?
Fiber optic conduits are a kind of fiber optic protection tubing that surrounds individual fiber strands to keep them safe and secure. These conduits house fiber cabling, providing some of the most critical pieces of infrastructure for a network or device.
What Makes Fiber Optic Conduit Different Than Other Types of Conduit?
Fiber optic conduits provide the best security and protection around for fiber optic cables. Often, more traditional conduits mostly consist of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other nonmetallic materials. In contrast, fiber optic conduits are primarily constructed of steel or metal, with PVC or fiberglass braiding occasionally incorporated as well.
Conduits made out of nonmetallic materials or PVC can protect traditional cables from damage, but they may not provide the amount of protection you require for your fiber optic cable. For instance, PVC conduits can work for overground applications that don’t require a great deal of protection, but they’re not as well-suited for underground applications. That could put your fiber optic cables in danger.
Since you’ll be investing in fiber optic cables and will rely on them for your network, you’ll likely want a greater deal of protection for them. Fiber optic conduits are designed specifically to house fiber optic cables in the toughest environments. As a result, these conduits put significant distance between themselves and more traditional conduit options regarding their durability and protection.
When you choose fiber optic conduits, your fiber cable is protected from corrosive soil, accidental excavation and rock damage. These conduits also offer superior protection from damage due to severe weather conditions and temperature changes. Since they can be buried underground, fiber optic conduits don’t need as much maintenance as aboveground models, such as aerial conduits.
If you’re worried about using metal conduits due to the danger of electricity being conducted through cables, you don’t have to worry about this for fiber cable conduits. Unlike other cables made of copper and aluminum, fiber optic cables transmit digital binary signals and not electrical current. This lack of an electric current is one of the primary reasons that fiber conduits can be made of metal, as there’s no danger of being shocked by them.
Benefits of Fiber Optic Conduits
If you’re interested in purchasing conduits for your cables, fiber optic models are an excellent decision to make. They provide exceptional flexibility and protection to ensure cables are safe from damage. They also can be utilized in many applications and are very safe to perform maintenance on.
Check out some of the top advantages of using fiber optic conduits below.
Protection
You probably want your network to stay secure and your fiber optic cables to stay free from damage. Fiber optic conduits do just that. They’ll house your cable, protecting it from potential danger. The conduits can come in various materials like stainless steel, galvanized steel, flexible metal, PVC sheathing and fiberglass braiding. These materials provide a significant amount of protection for your cables and keep them safe in underground and aboveground applications.
As a result of the different materials you can choose from for your conduits, you can find a conduit that protects against specific types of dangers. For instance, you can choose a conduit designed to protect against impact and abrasion, or you might select one that can also protect against gases, abrasions and extreme temperatures. You can even find conduits resistant to seawater, oils and acids, allowing you to place your cables in the toughest conditions while keeping them safe with the conduit.
Flexibility
Rigid conduits that can’t be adjusted to fit your fiber optic cables’ needs can be too restrictive and harm your ability to set up your network. Rigid conduits can also be a problem for opto-electronic applications, as they may need to fit the unique shapes of machines and instruments.
Conduits need to be flexible enough to handle unforeseen challenges and varying shapes. Fiber optic conduits do just that, as a supplier can outfit them with flexible metals that can be adjusted to a company’s unique requirements. Due to this flexibility, fiber optic conduits are a great choice for many applications and environments.
Safety
Since fiber optic cables don’t conduct electricity, conduits that utilize metal are much safer. In traditional copper wires that conduct electricity, a metal conduit could lead to shocks and other worker injuries. With fiber optic conduits that house fiber optic cables, you get the benefits of metal’s superior protection and durability while also being exceptionally safe. Those who come into contact with fiber optic conduits don’t have to worry about getting shocked, and they can focus solely on performing maintenance or other tasks.
Versatile Applications
One of the major benefits of fiber optic conduits is their many applications. They’re regularly utilized by opto-electronic instruments that serve the industrial, transportation and medical fields. For instance, their temperature resistance allows them to be used in thermocouples, which measure high temperatures in laboratories and industrial facilities. Additionally, the medical industry uses them with devices that go into the body to protect fiber cables from bodily fluids and blood.
Their durability also makes them perfect for devices that need to be reliable, such as wheelchairs and sensors. Fiber optic cables are also regularly employed by the telecommunications industry to assist with modern network infrastructures. The conduits’ durability allows you to safely install data lines underground, as they offer moisture, pressure and abrasion resistance.
Durable
When a conduit degrades quickly, your cables and wires can be exposed to dangers that could lead to damage. Conduits that degrade quickly or are easy to damage can cause networks and machinery to go down when you need them most. Additionally, a company can be stuck with higher repair costs as they have to fix their conduits and cables consistently.
With fiber optic conduits, you can expect them to last a long time and keep your wiring and cables safe. This protection means your networks and machinery can work without interruptions or damages. You can also save on expenses, as you won’t have to devote staff for repairs or pay for replacement conduits or cables as often. The durability of fiber optic conduits set them apart from others and makes them an excellent choice for many companies.
Fiber Optic Conduit Specifications
There are many fiber optic conduits on the market for different purposes, which allows companies to find the right model for their needs. There are also a few requirements for fiber optic conduits that companies regularly have questions about before investing in this type of protective tubing. Learn more about the types of fiber optic conduits available and get answers to some primary questions you might have about them below.
Types of Fiber Optic Conduit
As you look for fiber optic conduits that meet your needs, you’ll likely want to know more about the options you have when selecting one. Fiber optic conduits can serve various purposes, so you’ll often see some differences in the kinds available for purchase. At AerosUSA, we provide several types of fiber optic conduits to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Take a moment to learn about the primary kinds of fiber optic conduits we provide below:
1. SPR-AS/SPR-VA
SPR-AS and SPR-VA conduits are specialty stainless-steel and galvanized steel models designed for opto-electronic systems. These conduits are primarily utilized for their ability to house fiber optic cables and wires safely.
The primary advantages of using these types of conduit are their lateral compression and stretch resistance. Their flexibility also makes them a popular choice, as they can fit in various locations while also protecting the cables from any dangers. With an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 40, they’re best for protection against impacts and abrasions.
2. SPR-PVC-AS/SPR-PVC
When you select SPR-PVC-AS or SPR-PVC, you receive conduits with PVC sheathing and galvanized steel. They’re very versatile, as they’re resistant to multiple environmental dangers. Like the SPR-AS and SPR-VA conduits, they’re flexible, offer stretch resistance and are effective at guarding against impact and abrasion.
Alongside these shared qualities, SPR-PVC-AS and SPR-PVC conduits feature an IP 68 rating, meaning they can protect fiber cables from extreme weather and resist oils, acids and seawater. They’re also built to be non-flame propagating and provide compression resistance. With all these qualities, you get tons of options for where you can place your cables without worrying about the cables and wiring getting damaged.
3. FDW-VA
FDW-VA are special protective conduit helixes designed for beam waveguide and sensor technology. They consist of stainless steel and protect cabling in extreme temperatures. For instance, these conduits can operate in a temperature range that goes as high as 600 degrees Celcius and as low as minus 200 degrees Celcius. They’re also extremely durable, and their steel construction prevents your cables from receiving damage. As a result of this protection, these conduits can significantly improve the life span of your fiber optic system.
These conduits are also certified by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), meaning they don’t contain any hazardous substances. This makes them safer to use around employees and reduces the amount of toxic waste generated once they reach the end of their life cycle.
4. PSL-VA/PS-VA
Companies regularly purchase PSL-VA and PS-VA flexible metal conduits for their versatility and ability to protect cables from various dangers. Since they come in multiple metal types, you can find the right one for your network’s needs. They also have excellent bending strength, which allows for superior flexibility. Due to this flexibility, these conduits can protect your cables in many different environments, fitting into areas that curve or bend.
PSL-VA and PS-VA conduits are crafted from a helix of fiberglass braiding, silicone rubber sheathing and stainless steel. These conduits protect your fiber cable system from abrasions, liquids, gases and cold and hot temperatures. They also feature low flammability and stretch resistance. Another main selling point is that they don’t contain any cadmium or halogen.
What Is the Conduit Bend Radius for Fiber Optic Cable?
When you invest in a fiber optic conduit system, you must meet certain requirements set by your government. One of the big ones is that the fiber optic cable has to have a bend radius of 20 times the cable diameter at a minimum.
What Is the Conduit Fill Ratio?
Another key requirement you should follow is to ensure your conduit fill ratio is correct. This number refers to the counter cable diameter to the inner conduit/duct diameter. As you inspect your conduit fill ratio, you should ensure it doesn’t exceed this number.
What Is Fiber In Conduit (Fic)?
Fiber In Conduit (FIC) is a product that combines fiber optic cable and conduit into one product during manufacturing. The conduit exterior protects the cable from dirt, chemicals and pests during installation. FIC is supposed to make the installation process faster and easier. However, there are limited types of FIC, so it’s challenging to find the right fiber optic conduit and cable combination for your application.
Cable Protection for the Opto-Electronic Industry
When you’re looking for exceptional performance, durability and reliability, you’ll want to check out OPTOFLEX wire and cable protection products from AerosUSA. A conduit for fiber optic cables is especially valuable for those in the opto-electronics industry. In this field, devices and components have to convert electricity to light or light to electricity. Since so many instruments and operations in the opto-electronics industry rely on fiber optic conduits to accomplish their tasks, these conduits must be high-quality, flexible and durable.
Our fiber optic conduits from our OPTOFLEX line ensure your cables stay safe and perform their intended tasks to the best of their ability. Key OPTOFLEX conduit features, like their resistance to moisture, dust, dirt, temperature, ultraviolet (UV) light and pressure stress, make AerosUSA the leading wire and cable protection solution for the opto-electronic industry.
Due to our reputation for high-quality products, you can find our conduits in laser cutting systems, medical equipment, fiber optic lighting, thermocouples, sensors and telecommunication networks. The many conduits our OPTOFLEX line offers make it easy for companies to invest in conduits that can fit a diverse range of applications. Companies also love how our products hold up over time, helping them reduce replacement and repair expenses.
Alongside our conduits, we also offer an inventory of fittings, connectors, cable entry systems, strain relief glands, sleeving products, energy guide chains, cable glands and braids. With all these options, you can find the right solution for your opto-electronic applications.
Choose AerosUSA for Your Fiber Optic Conduits
At AerosUSA, we’re ready to provide you with the best fiber optic conduits for your network’s needs. We’ve provided fiber optic protection tubing for many types of applications, such as telecommunications, medical equipment, sensors, thermocouples, fiber optic lighting and laser cutting systems. With our extensive experience providing fiber optic conduits for various industries, we’re ready to help you better protect your cables on a long-term basis.
Browse our fiber optic conduits to find the perfect protective tubing to meet your requirements. Contact us today if you have any questions about our product solutions or need help finding the best option for your organization.
