An unarmored fiber optic cable (sometimes called non-armored or standard fiber) consists of the core optical fibers, a protective buffer coating, strength members such as aramid yarn, and an outer jacket—typically made from PVC or LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) material. Over-specifying armored cable where standard cable suffices adds 40-60% to material cost unnecessarily. According to IEC 60794-1-2 (Mechanical Test Methods), armored cables are designed to withstand external mechanical forces including crush, impact, and rodent attack, while non-armored (standard). An armored optical cable is a type of fiber optic cable reinforced with a protective layer—usually corrugated steel tape (STA) or steel wires (SWA) —to shield the internal fibers from external threats such as crushing, rodent bites, moisture, and harsh installation conditions. You select between them based on route exposure, rodent risks, burial requirements, tension loads, and overall ODN architecture. Armored. This Cable Jacket Selection Note is intended to provide the reader with an organized selection methodology when selecting the optimum optical cable for a specific application. Sheath issues discussed: single jacket versus dual jacket, armored versus unarmored, and metallic versus dielectric. Executive Summary: Both armored and unarmored fiber optic cables transmit light signals at near-speed-of-light speeds. With a durable protective layer, they are ideal for harsh or high-traffic environments.
