Clearfield unveils small form factor FLATdrop cable for FTTx networks
Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD) says the company has added the FieldShield Small Form Factor FLATdrop cable to its FieldShield fiber pathway line. The small form factor cable is designed to offer a flexible, compact, cost-effective approach to connect the fiber access point in either buried or aerial fiber deployments.
As its name implies, the FLATdrop fiber cable features a reduced sheath jacket dimension that offers a 33% space savings in coil diameter. The peelable fiber cable contains a 900-micron subunit that can be terminated with either a hardened fiber-optic connector (HFOC) assembly or a pre-connectorized SC pushable fiber connector. Technicians can deploy the FLATdrop cable in any scenario, including direct bury, in conduit, aerial lashed, and aerial self-supporting, Clearfield asserts. The cable is designed to provide tool-less, precise stripping of the outer jacket to remove excess material, easing storage of the 900-micron terminated ends onto FieldShield slack reels.
“Clearfield’s success stems from our focus on listening to customers and developing products that enable them to overcome the common challenges associated with fiber deployment,” said Kevin Morgan, chief marketing officer at Clearfield. “We recognized the need to develop a smaller, more flexible, yet self-supporting FLATdrop solution that reduces the environmental impact of fiber deployment, can be deployed in any environment, and enables more efficient inventory storage—saving contractors and installers time and space.”
Clearfield says the small form factor FLATdrop will be available for shipment this month.
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About the Author
Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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