Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a cable core of core elements and a protective sheath surrounding the core elements, an armor surrounding the cable core, the armor comprising a single overlap portion when the fiber optic cable is viewed in cross-section, and a jacket surrounding the armor, the jacket having at least two longitudinal discontinuities extruded therein. A method of accessing the cable core without the use of ripcords includes removing a portion of the armor in an access section by pulling the armor away from the cable core so that an overlap portion separates around the cable core as it is being pulled past the cable core. A protective sheath protects the core elements as the armor is being pulled around the cable core.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a cable core of core elements and a protective sheath surrounding the core elements, an armor surrounding the cable core, the armor comprising a single overlap portion when the fiber optic cable is viewed in cross-section, and a jacket surrounding the armor, the jacket having at least two longitudinal discontinuities extruded therein. A method of accessing the cable core without the use of ripcords includes removing a portion of the armor in an access section by pulling the armor away from the cable core so that an overlap portion separates around the cable core as it is being pulled past the cable core. A protective sheath protects the core elements as the armor is being pulled around the cable core.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a cable core of core elements and a protective sheath surrounding the core elements, an armor surrounding the cable core, the armor comprising a single overlap portion when the fiber optic cable is viewed in cross-section, and a jacket surrounding the armor, the jacket having at least two longitudinal discontinuities extruded therein. A method of accessing the cable core without the use of ripcords includes removing a portion of the armor in an access section by pulling the armor away from the cable core so that an overlap portion separates around the cable core as it is being pulled past the cable core. A protective sheath protects the core elements as the armor is being pulled around the cable core.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a cable core of core elements and a protective sheath surrounding the core elements, an armor surrounding the cable core, the armor comprising a single overlap portion when the fiber optic cable is viewed in cross-section, and a jacket surrounding the armor, the jacket having at least two longitudinal discontinuities extruded therein. A method of accessing the cable core without the use of ripcords includes removing a portion of the armor in an access section by pulling the armor away from the cable core so that an overlap portion separates around the cable core as it is being pulled past the cable core. A protective sheath protects the core elements as the armor is being pulled around the cable core.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: Cables have dielectric armor with an armor profile that resembles conventional metal armored cable. The armor can be formed as a single layer, without requiring an outer jacket layer. The dielectric armor provides additional crush and impact resistance for the optical fibers and/or fiber optic assembly therein. The armored cables recover substantially from deformation caused by crush loads. Additionally, the armored fiber optic assemblies can have any suitable flame and/or smoke rating for meeting the requirements of the intended space. The assemblies can additionally be lightweight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An optical communication cable subassembly includes a cable core having optical fibers each comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, buffer tubes surrounding subsets of the optical fibers, and a binder film surrounding the buffer tubes. Armor surrounds the cable core, the binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, and water-absorbing powder particles are provided on an interior surface of the binder film.

Abstract: Cables have dielectric armor with an armor profile that resembles conventional metal armored cable. The armor can be formed as a single layer, without requiring an outer jacket layer. The dielectric armor provides additional crush and impact resistance for the optical fibers and/or fiber optic assembly therein. The armored cables recover substantially from deformation caused by crush loads. Additionally, the armored fiber optic assemblies can have any suitable flame and/or smoke rating for meeting the requirements of the intended space. The assemblies can additionally be lightweight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The armor cables have an armor layer with armor access features arranged to work in combination with the discontinuities in the cable jacket to facilitate access to the cable core.

Abstract: An optical communication cable subassembly includes a cable core having optical fibers each comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, buffer tubes surrounding subsets of the optical fibers, and a binder film surrounding the buffer tubes. Armor surrounds the cable core, the binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, and water-absorbing powder particles are provided on an interior surface of the binder film.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The armor cables have an armor layer with armor access features arranged to work in combination with the discontinuities in the cable jacket to facilitate access to the cable core.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core, armor surrounding the core, and a jacket surrounding the armor. The core includes tubes, each tube having a passage defined therein, optical fibers positioned in the passages, and a binder sleeve defining an exterior of the core. Portions of the binder sleeve are directly bonded to the armor, while other portions are not. Spacing between the armor and the core, as well as the bond between the armor and binder sleeve, facilitate tubing-off of an end section of the cable to include removal of the binder sleeve.