Pre-Terminated Fibre Cables 4 to 24 Core
4 to 24 Core Pre-Terminated Fibre Optic Cables, Tight Buffered, Loose Tube, Corrugated Steel Tape Armoured, Steel Wire Armoured, OM3, OM4, OS2 with all termination options.
If you need help with deciding on which type of cable will best suit your application then scroll down to our useful information & FAQ’s section.  If you required an option not offered then please give us a call to discuss your requirements.
Pre-Teminated Fibre Cables are all made to order so are on a minimum 2-4 day lead time.
Prices from £83.69 (excl Vat)   £100.42 (incl Vat)
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Pre Terminated Fibre Optic Cables 4 to 24 Core
What is a pre terminated fibre optic cable?
Ark Fibre Optics specialises in bespoke pre terminated fibre optic cables (sometimes know as pre-terminated fibre, pre terminated fibre optic cables or simply pre terms) for internal and external use. Pre terminated cables are designed to make the installation of fibre optic backbone links easier. They remove the cost of fibre engineers and fibre installation companies to terminate on site.
All of our pre terminated fibre optic cables are fully tested before they are shipped. Each unit is supplied with a detailed test report. Our standard pre terminated fibre cables are supplied on cable reels (when 50m or above). Each end has a clear pulling sock to protect the fibre termination on installation. We manufacture tight buffered, loose tube, corrugated steel tape and steel wire armoured pre terminated cables as standard. These are available with all the standard termination types such as LC, ST, SC.   Ark Fibre Optics offer specialist pre terminated fibre optics cables where we present the terminated ends as patch lead ends.  This allows a direct connection into the front of switches or other containment.
All of our pre terminated fibre cables are manufactured in our UK termination facility. They are made to order based on length and connector types required. We offer OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 and OS2 cables types with a wide range of terminations such as LC, ST, FC, SC and SCAPC.
What are the different types of pre terminated options available?
We supply 4 main types of cable for your pre terminated fibre cables. These are tight buffered, loose tube, CSTA (corrugated steel tape armoured) and SWA (steel wire armoured). Each cable has specific properties which make them suitable for numerous applications.
Tight Buffered Cable
Tight buffered cable is a cost effective way of installing a fibre link from two locations within a building or even from building to building. These cables can be installed in cable trays through internal ducting and over catenary wiring kits for aerial installations. Tight buffered pre terms are manufactured with connectors directly terminated onto the 900um fibres. This is manufactured in a staggered pattern so they can be installed into a protection tube for installation.
Loose Tube Cable
Loose tube cable has a gel filled central tube which protects the fibre and also offers protection against water ingress. Due to the properties this cables is more suited to external applications where the cable might be installed into ducting that may be flooded from time to time. Loose tube pre terms are manufactured by buffering up the 250um fibre with 900um clear tubing and the connectors. As with the tight buffered version, are terminated in a staggered fashion enabling them to be fitted into a protection tube to aid installation.
Corrugated Steel Tape Armoured or CSTA (loose tube)
Corrugated steel tape armoured or CSTA (loose tube) pre terminated cables also have a gel filled central tube which protects the fibres and similarly to loose tube, offers protection against water ingress. What makes this particular fibre cable different is an added steel tape protection layer beneath the cable jacket. This layer gives the cable it’s armoured protection. The steel tape protection makes it suitable for direct burial as well as offering rodent protection.Â
CSTA cable is more suited to external applications. A good example is if the cable might be installed into ducting that could be exposed to water from time to time. Whilst this cable shares similar properties to the loose tube version it should be noted that they are less flexible than tight buffered or loose tube due to the added steel protection. The CSTA pre terms are manufactured by buffering up the 250um fibre with 900um clear tubing
Steel Wire Armoured or SWA (loose tube)
Steel wire armoured or SWA (loose tube) pre terminated fibre cables have an internal cable with a gel filled central tube. This protects the fibre and also offers protection against water ingress. On top of this cable is a steel wire protection layer beneath the outer cable jacket. This makes it the hardiest armoured cable option we offer. As with the CSTA version, this particular cable is also suitable for direct burial as well as offering superior rodent protection. Most suitable for external applications the SWA cable can be installed into ducting that might see the occasional flooding. Due to the extensive protection offered on these types of cable, SWA is much heavier and less flexible than our other options. The SWA pre terms are manufactured by buffering up the 250um fibre with 900um clear tubing.
Tail Options
We offer two tail options for our pre terminated fibre cables. These come as 900um or as 2mm tails. Whilst 900um tails require a little more care in the way in which they are handled, they are best suited in you are installing the ends into a wall box or a panel. This is due to the small space in which you have to dress these ends into. If you are intending to plug directly into equipment such as a switch or into the front of a patch panel then we would suggest the 2mm tails. This is a the better option as the tails offer more protection. Our tails are staggered as standard so that they fit into a protection tube. This gives added protection and peace of mind during installation.Â
Useful Information & FAQ’s
What mode of fibre do you require?
This could be single mode such as OS2 or multimode such as OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OM5. It’s important to point out that OM1 and OM2 are getting much harder to get hold of now. OM3, OM4 and OM5 are the preferred option so this can have a bearing on the lead time. However from OM2 onwards, the multi modes are compatible with one another. This makes repairs and connections more cost efficient and available. If you need further advise on this please get in touch with your particular requirements.
How many cores do you require?
These are the number of fibres in the cable. Usually these come in the following options, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48. However if you require something slightly different, please let us know. As an example a 4 core cable offers 2 x transmit and receive links.
What is the length of pre terminated fibre cable you require?
This is important to get right since you do not want to realise on installation that your fibre cable is not long enough to reach your kit or containment. Our pre terminated fibre cable lengths are measured gland to gland.
Which type of fibre cable do you require for your application based on what it is being used for and where it is being installed?
You may find our handy cable guide table below useful. If however if you are still unsure which is best for your application, please get in touch and we can guide you through the various options.
What tail ends do you require based on what your pre terminated fibre cable is being installed into?
This is also important to get right so that you don’t suffer additional complications when you come to install. If you are unsure, we can advise what is best for your particular job or set up if our guidance notes do not provide you with the answer.
Does your pre term require different connector ends and is 50m of longer?
If you require different connectors at each end and your pre term is longer than 50m we will need to know which end you need available to reel off first as from 50m and above, we supply all pre terms on a reel as standard. This means there is a pulling end which is why we need to know which connectors need to be on this end and immediately available.
Can you supply any other types of pre terminated fibre cables?
Yes, we can provide other options such as Mil tac, fanout and harness, MPO & MTP trunk and fanouts, mini flex and specialist pre terminated fibre cables. Due to our advanced fibre termination facility in the UK and our vast knowledge we can provide most options currently available in the industry and bespoke options too!
Can you advise on containment options for my pre terminated cable?
Yes we can advise what would suit your particular project. We can also supply you with an end to end solution if required.
If you have any questions then please get in touch with the team on 01525 841526 or email us at [email protected].  We will be happy to discuss and offer our expert advise on products and services.
