The difference between indoor optical cable and outdoor optical cable

Updated on Sat Aug 23 2025

Indoor optical cable is a kind of communication line in which a certain number of optical fibers form a cable core according to a certain method, which is covered with a sheath, and some are also covered with an outer sheath to realize optical signal transmission.

We all know that there are many types of optical cables, such as indoor optical cables and outdoor optical cables, so what is the difference between these two types of optical cables? In fact, in the final analysis, their differences are mainly determined according to the use environment. The premise of understanding optical cables is to first understand optical fibers, so what is optical fiber? In fact, the center of the optical fiber is usually a core made of glass, and the core is surrounded by a glass envelope with a lower refractive index than the core, so that the optical signal entering the core is reflected by the cladding interface, so that the optical signal is reflected in the core. Spread forward.


Differences between indoor and outdoor optical cables in optical cable classification


Indoor fiber optic cable

According to different use environments, optical cables can be divided into indoor optical cables and outdoor optical cables.

Indoor optical cables are classified according to the use environment of optical cables, as opposed to outdoor optical cables.

indoor optical cable

Indoor optical cable is a cable formed by optical fiber (optical transmission carrier) through a certain process. It is mainly composed of optical fiber (glass filament as thin as hair), plastic protective sleeve and plastic outer skin. There is no metal such as gold, silver, copper and aluminum in the optical cable, and generally has no recycling value.


Indoor optical cable is a kind of communication line in which a certain number of optical fibers form a cable core according to a certain method, which is covered with a sheath, and some are also covered with an outer sheath to realize optical signal transmission.


Indoor optical cables have low tensile strength and poor protective layers, but are also lighter and more economical. Indoor optical cables are mainly used for wiring in buildings and connections between network devices.


Indoor fiber optic cable features:

Indoor optical cables have lower tensile strength and poorer protective layers, but are relatively lighter and more economical. Indoor optical cables are mainly suitable for horizontal wiring subsystems and vertical backbone subsystems. For example, the outdoor optical cable has high tensile strength, thick protective layer, and is usually armored (that is, wrapped with metal skin). Outdoor optical cables are mostly used in building complex subsystems, and can be used in outdoor direct burial, pipelines, overhead and underwater laying and other occasions.


outdoor fiber optic cable

Outdoor fiber optic cable, used for outdoor fiber optic cable. The opposite is the indoor optical cable.

Outdoor optical cable is a communication line that realizes optical signal transmission. The cable core is composed of a certain number of optical fibers according to a certain method, and is covered with a sheath, and some are also covered with an outer sheath.


Features of outdoor optical cable:

It is mainly composed of optical fiber (glass filament as thin as hair), plastic protective sleeve and plastic outer skin. There is no metal such as gold, silver, copper and aluminum in the optical cable, and generally has no recycling value.


Outdoor optical cables have higher tensile strength, thicker protective layers, and are usually armored (that is, wrapped with metal skins). Outdoor optical cables are mainly used for interconnection between buildings and between remote networks.


I believe everyone understands the difference between outdoor optical cables and indoor optical cables. Since the optical fibers themselves are very fragile and cannot be directly applied to the wiring system, they are usually bundled, with a protective casing on the outside and a tensile wire in the middle, which is called Optical cables, optical cables usually contain one or more optical fibers. It is an excellent idea to choose ZR Cable for optical fiber and cable products. ZR Cable is very proficient in related products such as optical fiber and cable. After all, ZR Cable optical fiber manufacturer has many years of history.



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