Abstract: Fiber optic cables are disclosed that include at least one optical fiber and a flame-retardant cable jacket. The flame-retardant cable jacket has a cavity wherein the at least one optical fiber is disposed within the cavity. The flame-retardant cable jacket includes one or more flame-retardant additives and the flame-retardant cable jacket is essentially free of a water-soluble component that can dissolve and migrate into the cavity. By way of example, the flame-retardant cable jacket is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) essentially free of ammonium octamolybdate. Other variations include fiber optic cables having a barrier layer for inhibiting the migration of water into a cable cavity.

Abstract: A robust protective casing is provided that includes an inner tubing having a passageway therethrough, an outer tubing, and a plurality of flexible strength members disposed between the inner and outer tubing. The protective casing has a wall tubing thickness ratio of the inner tubing wall thickness to the outer tubing wall thickness of about 0.5 or less while still inhibiting the kinking of the protective casing during relatively small bend radii. Additionally, an outer diameter of the protective casing is relatively small while still allowing the routing of a standard sized 900 micron tight-buffered optical fiber through the passageway. Thus, the protective casing is advantageous in applications where limited space is available space. A fan-out assembly using the protective casings is also described.

Abstract: A communication cable including at least one communication element having a ripcord for ripping at least one cable component for facilitating access to the communication cable. In one embodiment, the ripcord is formed from a plurality of plies twisted together in a first direction, each of the plurality of plies being formed from a plurality of strands twisted together in a second direction. In another embodiment, the ripcord is formed from at least two different filament materials such as polyester and polyethylene.