Loose Tube Fiber Vs Tight Buffer

From the picture below we can see that loose tube fiber holds more than one optical fiber each individually.

Loose tube fiber vs tight buffer.

In addition the tight buffered structure create subunits which can be divided among many terminals without using patch panels. Fiber optic cable is available in many physical variations such as single and multiple conductor constructions aerial and direct burial styles plenum and riser cables etc. Each however is designed for very different environments. Tight buffered and loose tube fiber are the two styles of constructions fiber optic cables offered.

Tight buffered designs often do not have anti buckling elements and do not decouple the fiber from extreme stresses such as the material contractions that are experienced at extremely cold temperatures. Loose tube vs tight buffered fiber optic cable there are two styles of fiber optic cable construction. However these tight buffered cables are not subject to extremes just like loose tube cable. Both contain some type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or even gel filled sleeves.

Fiber expansion caused by temperature extremes and water penetration are potential problems for tight buffered cables. Fiber optic cables are constructed in two ways. Both contain a type of strengthening member such as aramid yarn stainless steel wire strands or gel filled sleeves. Between them there are several common denominators like the fact that both have in their interior a strengthening member of sorts that can be made of stainless steel in the form of wire strands aramid yarn or gel filled sleeves.

Loose tube and tight buffered. This is why loose tube cables are so widely accepted for use in outdoor environments.