Electronics / Cables & Adapters
Corning ALTOS Figure-8 Loose Tube Cable 96F Specification
Technical specification and product guide for the Corning ALTOS Figure-8 gel-free loose tube cable (96 fibers, OS2). Includes environmental ratings, mechanical specifications, and design details for outdoor aerial installation.
Table of contents
Quick guide from the manual
This document provides the technical specifications for the Corning ALTOS Figure-8 96-fiber cable (Part Number: 096EUA-T4101D20). This cable is designed for outdoor, self-supporting aerial installations. Key considerations include maintaining proper temperature ranges during installation and adhering to minimum bend radius requirements to ensure long-term performance.
Product Overview
The Corning ALTOS Figure-8 cable features a gel-free, water-swellable design that simplifies cable access and requires no cleaning. It is constructed with a rugged, medium-density polyethylene jacket that provides protection against UV radiation, fungus, and abrasion. The cable utilizes a loose tube design with SZ-stranding to isolate optical fibers from installation and environmental rigors.
Environmental Conditions
To ensure optimal installation results, the cable should be stored in a proper temperature environment prior to installation. Adhere to the following temperature limits:
- Installation Temperature: -30 °C to 70 °C (-22 °F to 158 °F)
- Operation Temperature: -40 °C to 70 °C (-40 °F to 158 °F)
- Storage Temperature: -40 °C to 70 °C (-40 °F to 158 °F)
Mechanical Specifications
Proper handling during installation is critical to prevent fiber damage. Observe the following bend radius limits:
- Min. Bend Radius (Installation): 183 mm (7.2 in)
- Min. Bend Radius (Operation): 122 mm (4.8 in)
- Nominal Cable Height: 23.8 mm (0.94 in)
- Nominal Outer Diameter: 12.2 mm (0.48 in)
Cable Design
The cable is designed for one-step aerial installation using standard hardware. Key design elements include:
- Central Element: Dielectric
- Fiber Count: 96
- Buffer Tubes: 8 active tubes, each containing 12 fibers
- Messenger: Stranded steel
- Outer Jacket Material: Polyethylene (PE)
- Ripcord: 1
Optical Characteristics
The cable utilizes Single-mode (OS2) fiber, category G.652.D. It is optimized for wavelengths of 1310 nm, 1383 nm, and 1550 nm, with a maximum attenuation of 0.4 dB/km (at 1310/1383 nm) and 0.3 dB/km (at 1550 nm).
Manufacturer information
Corning Optical Communications
Practical help
Common problems
Cable temperature is outside the installation range
Store the cable in a temperature-controlled environment before installation to allow it to reach the required installation temperature range (-30 °C to 70 °C).
Risk of fiber damage during installation
Ensure the cable is not bent tighter than the minimum installation bend radius of 183 mm.
Before use
- Verify the part number (096EUA-T4101D20) matches your project requirements.
- Ensure the ambient temperature is within the installation range (-30 °C to 70 °C).
- Confirm that standard hardware for Figure-8 aerial installation is available.
- Check that the installation path allows for the minimum bend radius of 183 mm.
Specs in practice
- Min. Bend Radius (Installation)
- The tightest curve the cable can withstand while being pulled/installed without damaging the fibers (183 mm).
- Min. Bend Radius (Operation)
- The tightest curve the cable can withstand once installed and in service (122 mm).
- Single-mode (OS2)
- Fiber type optimized for long-distance, high-bandwidth data transmission.
Images and diagrams
- The cable features a Figure-8 cross-section, which includes an integrated messenger wire for self-supporting aerial deployment.
- The internal structure consists of loose buffer tubes containing the optical fibers, protected by water-swellable tape and a polyethylene jacket.
Model compatibility
- Designed for outdoor self-supporting aerial applications.
- Compatible with standard telecommunications-grade optical fiber hardware.
Manual page author
Michael Turner
Technical manual editor
Reviews PDF manuals for structure, safety notes, and practical product details so readers can find the right information quickly.