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In the optical cable classification code

Optical network knowledge brief Published 04 Aug 2022

Prepared for preliminary research by the COETZER OPTICAL knowledge desk. Confirm compatibility, loss budgets and installation requirements against current standards and product documentation.

Optical cables are classified by structure, application, and standardized codes, with each code indicating specific design, protection, and deployment characteristics.Classification by Application

Optical cables are generally categorized based on their network role:

  • Core/Backbone cables: Used for long-haul inter-provincial or inter-city trunks, designed for high fiber counts and robust protection.
  • Metro/Relay cables: Deployed within cities or between exchanges, balancing flexibility and durability.
  • Access/FTTx cables: Serve last-mile connections, often smaller, flexible, and easier to install in buildings or neighborhoods .
Structural Classification and Codes

Optical cable codes, such as GYTA53, GYTY53, GYFTCY, follow Chinese and international standards to indicate construction and protective features:

  • GYTA53: Double jacket with corrugated steel tape armor, suitable for direct-buried backbone applications .
  • GYTY53: Double thick polyethylene jacket without aluminum tape, offering higher crush resistance.
  • GYXTW / GYDXTW: Steel-PE bonded sheath or ribbon fibers in central loose tubes, often for high fiber counts.
  • GYTS / GYTA: Classic stranded loose-tube design with steel or aluminum tape armoring.
  • GYFTCY: All-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) cable with aramid yarn strength members, ideal for aerial deployment near high-voltage lines.
  • GYTC8S: Figure-8 aerial cable with integrated steel messenger wire.
  • GYDTS: High-density ribbon in slotted-core design with steel tape armor . These codes provide a quick reference to cable structure, armoring, and intended installation environment, helping engineers select the right cable for specific network conditions.
Fiber Type Classification

Fiber optic cables are also classified by the type of fiber they contain:

  • Single-mode fibers (SMF): Optimized for long-distance, high-bandwidth transmission, typically ITU-T G.652, G.657 standards.
  • Multimode fibers (MMF): Designed for shorter distances, often in data centers or campus networks, with OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 classifications under ISO/IEC standards .
Color Coding

Fiber identification within cables follows the TIA-598-C standard, which assigns a 12-color sequence for fibers in a tube:

  1. Blue
  2. Orange
  3. Green
  4. Brown
  5. Slate
  6. White
  7. Red
  8. Black
  9. Yellow
  10. Violet
  11. Rose
  12. Aqua For cables with more than 12 fibers, the sequence repeats with stripes or tube-based identification to maintain unique identification for each fiber . This ensures error reduction, operational safety, and global consistency.
Summary

Optical cable classification combines application type, structural design, fiber type, and color coding. Standardized codes like GYTA53 or GYFTCY provide engineers with a clear understanding of cable construction, protection, and deployment suitability, while fiber color codes ensure accurate installation and maintenance across complex networks .

In the optical cable classification code - COETZER OPTICAL SYSTEMS (Pty) Ltd [PDF]

In the optical cable classification code

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