Fiber optic components for OPGW and OPPC cables
Enhance your OPGW and OPPC production with NBG's Fiber in Metal Tubes, offering unmatched quality and resilience for your cable manufacturing needs.
FIMT for OPGW/OPPC
Our range of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and Optical Phase Conductor (OPPC) solutions are engineered for robust and efficient performance in power transmission systems. OPGW products, designed to replace traditional ground wires of overhead power lines, simultaneously perform the functions of grounding and communications. They are particularly effective in enhancing the reliability of power grids while providing a high-speed communication channel. Our OPPC offerings, integrating optical fibers within the phase conductors of power lines, are ideal for smart grid applications. They enable real-time monitoring and communication without the need for additional cable systems. Both OPGW and OPPC solutions are made with high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, ensuring durability, excellent environmental resistance, and superior data transmission capabilities. These products are tailored to meet the demanding requirements of modern power infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration and long-term performance.
Example configurations
All our products are custom and designed to spec. Below are just a few examples to demonstrate our production capabilities.
Outer diameter
from 1.10mm / 0.043 ″
to 7.00mm / 0.209 ″
Fiber count
1-144 (250μm)
1-192 (200μm)
Single tube wall thickness
from 0.125mm / 0.0049 ″
to 0.30mm / 0.0118 ″
Optional Aluminum Layer
Thin wall alu cladding with 0.25/0.30mm
Thick wall alu extrusion from 0.95-3.0mm
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Frequently asked questions
What is OPGW?
An Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) is a cable variety employed in overhead power lines. This cable serves dual purposes, providing both grounding and communication capabilities. It features a tubular construction housing one or more (usually more) optical fibers, encased within concentric layers of steel and aluminum wire.
What is the function of OPGW?
OPGW is predominantly utilized in the electric utility sector, strategically positioned at the highest point of the transmission line. This placement allows it to act as a shield, protecting the critical conductors below from lightning strikes. Simultaneously, it offers a pathway for telecommunications, serving both internal purposes and third-party communication needs.
OPGW or ADSS for overhead power transmision?
Selecting the ideal cables for overhead transmission lines can be challenging. It’s important to focus on essential factors like cable design, environmental conditions, and installation expenses. For scenarios where you are working with new cables and need to build the entire transmission system anew, OPGW is the appropriate choice.
What is the difference between OPGW and OPPC?
An Optical Phase Conductor (OPPC) serves as a substitute telecommunications solution in scenarios where an existing ground wire is absent, rendering Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) unsuitable. Its fundamental structure mirrors that of standard OPGW, but it is crafted to replicate the mechanical and electrical properties of the phase wire it substitutes. In contrast to OPGW, which does not carry a continuous current, OPPC operates as an energized cable along high voltage power lines.
What type of fiber is used in OPGW?
Usually, OPGW cables use single-mode optical fibers that have low transmission loss, streamlining the transmission over long distances at high speeds. The external look of OPGW bears resemblance to the aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) cable, which is commonly utilized for shield wires.
Is a central or stranding tube configuration better for OPGW?
Two configurations are available for OPGW cables. The first is the Central Tube OPGW, which features a steel tube encasing the optical fibers at the core of the cable. Alternatively, the steel tube can be incorporated within the stranding layer of the OPGW cable. This second option facilitates the inclusion of multiple Fiber in Metal Tubes (FIMTs) within the cable, thereby providing an increased number of optical fibers.
