When it comes to buying cable underground and ensuring long-lasting performance, there are some important things to know. Things your cable contractor should be familiar with, and it wouldn’t hurt if you knew them as well. For instance, not every cable that is outdoor-rated or that says “burial-rated” can be directly buried underground without proper protection. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at outdoor cable, underground burial cable, and direct-burial cable and their applications.
What is Outdoor Cable?
Outdoor cable has an outdoor rating and is engineered to maintain performance in harsh conditions. It can withstand moisture and high and low temperatures. It’s designed to resist abrasion and tearing, however, it is not designed to be directly buried underground.
What is Underground Burial Cable?
Underground burial cable can be installed underground as long as it’s inside a protective conduit. Without protection, the cable can’t hold up to underground exposure. Water-blocking fillers are designed to stop infiltration in an underground burial cable, however, the jacket might not be water-resistant over a prolonged period.
What is Fiber Optic Direct-Burial Cable?
Fiber optic direct-burial cable is a cable that has passed insulation water absorption and crush-resistance tests. To make a “direct burial” claim, third-party testing, and ratings are necessary. The cable has its own built-in conduit that makes is crush resistant and passes the same mechanical stress tests conduit must pass. It can survive being installed on top of rock or being exposed to water without impacting the performance. If you don’t want to use conduit in your installation, you must use a cable with a direct-burial rating.
Cost-Effective Underground Cables
Using conduit will protect your cables and signals underground, however, it adds a layer of complexity and cost to a project. The cost of the cable and conduit are both material costs. When it comes to installation, two separate labor expenses are also factored in. Overall, direct-burial cable provides a much more cost-effective installation.
Need Direct-Burial Fiber Optic Cable Installation?
Whether you need single-mode, multi-mode, a short cable run, or need to tie together multiple buildings miles apart, Communications Solutions, Inc. can help design, install, and maintain your next fiber optics project. We are a State Certified cabling contractor, and we own all the required equipment to properly install, test, and splice fiber optics without ever outsourcing or needing to rent equipment. From OTDR’s to Fusion Splicers, we can handle any fiber optic requests in the Jacksonville and North Florida area.
(904) 777-6656