WATER-BLOCKED OPTICAL CABLE AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

An optical cable for communication comprising at least one retaining element blocked with respect to the water propagation as well as a process for manufacturing such an optical cable are described. The optical cable comprises, in addition to the retaining element, at least two transmission elements housed within the retaining element, and a water swellable yarn housed within the retaining element. The water swellable yarn is selected according to the following equation: (I) in which V w is the volume of the water swellable yarn after swelling upon contact with water; V TF is the total free volume in the retaining element; k is a constant >= 180; R is a constant >= 1.4; and V t is the free volume per each transmission element. Advantageously, the optical cable is water-blocked and the water swellable yarn does not induce microbending effects on the transmission elements.