Abstract: A slotted core type optical fiber ribbon cable includes a cylindrical rod having a plurality of helical slots in its exterior surface. A slot holds a stack of optical fiber ribbons each having a planar array of optical fibers therein. The pitch of the helical slot is selected so as to allow total optical fiber stranding strain .epsilon. of the edge fibers in the ribbon to be at least 0.05% and compression .epsilon..sub.e on the middle optical fiber or optical fibers in the ribbon to be less than about 0.03%. The magnitude of the slot pitch is selected to be in the rangeP.sub.c <P<P.sub.s, withP.sub.c =(-6.718+76.094W.sub.r)+(-2.0467+0.33014W.sub.r)R.sub.r andP.sub.s =(340.92+1.3495W.sub.r +6.8775W.sub.r.sup.2)+(4.5417-0.07796W.sub.r -0.037W.sub.r.sup.2)R.sub.r,where P is the slot pitch, W.sub.r is the width spanned by the optical fibers in the ribbon, and R.sub.r is the radial distance between the rod longitudinal axis and the midpoint of the width spanned by the optical fibers in the bottommost ribbon.

Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.

Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.

Abstract: A simplified loose tube fiber optic cable, and a method for making the cable, is disclosed. A plurality of transmission units, each including a plurality of light waveguides and filling compound in a buffer tube, are provided. The transmission units are stranded together with a plurality of tensile yarns coated with a hardenable material. After the hardenable material is cured, an outer tube is extruded over the buffer tubes and coated tensile yarns.

Abstract: A method for the use of contractile pulling grips for cables in which a portion of the outer jacket of the cable is removed and the contractile grip is applied over one or more cable strength elements.