FTTH Fiber Drop Cable | Butterfly Design for Fiber to the Home
Introduction
Opelink manufactures high-quality FTTH (Fiber to the Home) fiber drop cables designed for last-mile connectivity in residential broadband networks. With 13+ years of experience, we provide reliable drop cable solutions for telecom operators, ISPs, and FTTH deployment projects worldwide.
FTTH fiber drop cable is the final connection link between the distribution network and the subscriber's premises. These cables are designed for easy installation, compact size, and reliable performance in both outdoor and indoor environments. The unique butterfly (figure-8) design allows for quick field termination and flexible routing.
Opelink offers a comprehensive range of FTTH drop cables including butterfly flat cables, round drop cables, and self-supporting aerial designs. All our FTTH cables feature G.657A1/A2 bend-insensitive fiber, allowing tight bends without signal loss, and are available with various strength member options (FRP, steel wire, or non-metallic).
FTTH Drop Cable Types
Opelink offers various FTTH fiber drop cable types for different installation scenarios:
• Figure-8 cross-section with fiber in one lobe, strength member in the other • Self-supporting with FRP or steel strength member • Compact size: typically 2.0mm x 3.0mm • Easy to strip and terminate in the field • Fiber count: 1-4 fibers • Installation: aerial, wall mounting, or indoor
2. Round Drop Cable
• Circular cross-section for duct installations • Better crush resistance than flat designs • Suitable for direct burial with additional protection • Fiber count: 1-12 fibers • Installation: duct, conduit, or direct burial
• Integrated messenger wire for aerial installation • UV-resistant LSZH outer jacket • Span lengths up to 100m • Fiber count: 1-4 fibers • Installation: aerial between poles or buildings
4. Indoor FTTH Cable
• Small diameter for indoor routing • Flame retardant LSZH jacket • Flexible for tight spaces • Fiber count: 1-4 fibers • Installation: indoor walls, conduits, or surface mounting
5. Pre-connectorized Drop Cable
• Factory-terminated with connectors (SC, LC, or FC) • Available with various connector combinations • Reduces field installation time • Custom lengths available
Technical Specifications
Parameter
Butterfly Flat
Round Drop
Self-Supporting
Indoor
Cross Section
Figure-8 (2.0x3.0mm)
Round (3.0-6.0mm)
Figure-8 with messenger
Round (2.0-3.0mm)
Fiber Type
G.657A1/A2
G.657A1/A2
G.657A1/A2
G.657A1/A2
Strength Member
FRP or Steel
FRP
Steel messenger
FRP
Jacket Material
LSZH or PE
LSZH or PE
LSZH
LSZH
Min Bend Radius
15mm
15mm
15mm
15mm
Tensile Strength
80-200N
100-400N
600N+
80-150N
Crush Resistance
500 N/100mm
1000 N/100mm
500 N/100mm
300 N/100mm
Operating Temp
-40°C to +70°C
-40°C to +70°C
-40°C to +70°C
-20°C to +60°C
G.657 Bend-Insensitive Fiber
Opelink FTTH drop cables use G.657A1/A2 bend-insensitive single mode fiber, specifically designed for indoor applications with tight bend requirements: .G.657A1: Compliant with ITU-T G.657.A1, compatible with G.652D. Minimum bend radius of 10mm with minimal additional attenuation. Suitable for most FTTH installations. .G.657A2: Enhanced bend performance with minimum bend radius of 7.5mm. Fully compatible with G.652D. Ideal for challenging installations with very tight bends.
Bend Performance Comparison: • Standard G.652D: 30mm minimum bend radius • G.657A1: 10mm minimum bend radius (0.1dB loss at 1 turn) • G.657A2: 7.5mm minimum bend radius (0.1dB loss at 1 turn)
This bend-insensitive property allows FTTH cables to be routed around corners, through small conduits, and in crowded spaces without signal degradation.
Applications
• Fiber to the Home (FTTH): Final drop connection to residential customers • Fiber to the Building (FTTB): Connection to multi-dwelling units (MDU) • Fiber to the Curb (FTTC): Connection to neighborhood distribution points • Indoor Wiring: Customer premises cabling, in-home fiber distribution • Aerial Distribution: Overhead connections in residential areas • Underground Distribution: Duct and conduit installations • Temporary Connections: Event venues, construction sites, temporary offices • Backup Links: Redundant connections for critical services
Installation Methods
Aerial Installation: Self-supporting butterfly cables are suspended between poles or buildings using the integrated strength member. Maximum span lengths depend on the strength member type and environmental loading (wind/ice). .Wall Mounting: Cables are attached to exterior walls using cable clips or hooks. The compact flat design allows for neat, low-profile installations. .Duct Installation: Round drop cables are pulled through existing ducts or conduits using standard cable pulling techniques. Proper lubricants should be used to reduce friction. .Direct Burial: With appropriate protective conduit, drop cables can be buried directly in the ground for the final connection to the customer premises. .Indoor Routing: The small diameter and flexibility of FTTH cables allow easy routing through walls, around door frames, and to the optical network terminal (ONT) location.
FAQ
Q1: What is the maximum span length for aerial FTTH drop cable?
A: Maximum span length depends on the strength member type and environmental conditions. For standard butterfly cables with FRP strength member: 30-50m typical spans. For cables with steel strength member: 50-80m spans. For self-supporting cables with integrated messenger wire: up to 100m spans. Always consider wind and ice loading in your calculations and consult local installation codes.
Q2: What is the difference between G.657A1 and G.657A2 fiber?
A: Both are bend-insensitive fibers compatible with G.652D standard fiber. G.657A1 has a minimum bend radius of 10mm with ≤0.1dB loss at 1 turn, suitable for most FTTH installations. G.657A2 has enhanced bend performance with 7.5mm minimum bend radius, ideal for very tight spaces. G.657A2 is fully backward compatible with G.657A1 and G.652D systems.
Q3: Can FTTH drop cable be used indoors and outdoors?
A: Yes, Opelink FTTH drop cables are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jacket provides fire safety for indoor installations while the UV-stabilized material withstands outdoor exposure. For outdoor-only applications, PE jacket options are available. Always verify local building codes for indoor fire rating requirements.
Q4: What connectors are typically used with FTTH drop cable?
A: Common connector types for FTTH include: SC/APC - most widely used for FTTH, provides low back reflection; SC/UPC - used in some networks; LC/APC or LC/UPC - smaller form factor for high-density applications; FC/APC - used in some legacy or specialized installations. Opelink offers pre-connectorized drop cables with any of these connector types, factory-tested and ready for installation.
Q5: What is the typical installation distance for FTTH drop cable?
A: FTTH drop cables typically cover the "last mile" or "last 100 meters" from the distribution point to the customer premises. Typical installation distances range from 10m to 200m, with most residential installations falling between 20m and 100m. Opelink drop cables are available in standard lengths (25m, 50m, 100m) or custom lengths to minimize waste and splicing. For distances beyond 200m, consider using standard outdoor cables for the main run and drop cable only for the final connection.