Abstract: A fire-resistant plenum-type electrical cable is provided that is insulated with an inner layer of a fluorocarbon containing polymer in contact with a surrounding electrical conductor, and an outer layer of abrasion-resistant polyvinyl chloride surrounding the inner fluorocarbon containing polymer layer. The inner layer of fluorocarbon containing polymer may be foamed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable and method for making the cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around a central member with three levels of color coding to enhance identification of individual optical fibers within the cable. Each of the buffer tubes has a predetermined color for identifying each individual buffer tube from the other buffer tubes, and a plurality of optical fibers are positioned within each buffer tube and arranged in a plurality of optical fiber bundles within each buffer tube. Each optical fiber bundle includes a binder yarn surrounding respective ones of the optical fibers with each of the binders having a predetermined color for identifying each individual optical fiber bundle from the other optical fiber bundles within a respective buffer tube. In addition, each of the optical fibers has a predetermined color for identifying each individual optical fiber from other optical fibers within a respective optical fiber bundle.

Abstract: A communications system including an initially installed coaxial cable may be readily upgraded by installing a fiber optic cable therein. The coaxial cable has an empty longitudinal channel extending continuously along substantially the entire length thereof. A propellable fiber optic cable is later installed in the channel by a fluid flow which creates a sufficient drag to advance the fiber optic cable into the channel. The fiber optic cable is installed to meet increasing communications demands or when otherwise desired. The coaxial cable may include an empty electrically conductive tube serving as the center conductor for later receipt therein of the fiber optic cable. In other embodiments, the coaxial cable may have a channel provided in a dielectric material between the center and outer conductors, or a channel formed in the outer protective jacket.

Abstract: A coaxial cable of the type used for a drop cable for cable television includes flat reinforcing wires forming a reinforcing covering for a foil shield. The coaxial cable includes an elongate center conductor, a surrounding dielectric material, and an outer conductor including the foil shield and the plurality of flat reinforcing wires forming the reinforcing covering for the shield. The flat reinforcing wires may be braided or may be wrapped to form a served covering. The flat wires are preferably sized to have a greater strength than conventional round wires. Therefore, a method for manufacturing the cable may advantageously include the steps of applying the flat wires and extruding an outer protective jacket continuously in tandem to thereby increase manufacturing efficiency.