Define Loose tube, Tight buffered, Ribbon Cables?
• Loose tube Cable: In the simplest loose tube design, a coated fibre is contained in along tube, with inner diameter much larger than the fibre diameter. The fibre is installed in a loose helix inside the tube, so it can move freely with respect to the tube walls. This design protects the fibre from the stresses applied to the cable in installation or service, including effects of changing temperature. Such Stresses can cause bending losses as well as damage the fibre. Loose tubes can be used without any filling. However if they are to be used outdoors, they are normally filled with a jelly like material. The gel acts as a buffer, keeping out moisture and letting the fibres move in the tube. A single tube contains upto a dozen fibres, making it possible to achieve high fibre densities in a compact cable. • A tightly buffered fibre: It is encased (after coating) in a plastic layer. The coating is a soft plastic that allows deformation and reduces forces applied to the fibre. The surrou
