AFL Introduces Rodent-Deterrent Cable Jackets for Tactical and OSP Cables

22/03/2016

Spartanburg, SC – AFL, a leading global fiber optics manufacturer and service provider, has developed a rodent-deterrent enhancement option for its tactical and OSP fiber optic cables. Containing a bittering agent, the new jacket option significantly reduces cable damage from gnawing rodents.
 
“The threat of rodent damage to fiber optic cables installed in certain harsh environment applications and outside plant locations is a real concern,” commented Craig Stratton, market and business development manager for AFL. “Conduit and metallic armoring are options but both increase the cost of the cable system and the complexity of the installation. By adding a bittering agent to the cable jacket, we can now offer a safer and economically feasible option.”
 
Cables placed in outside plant or harsh environment applications are designed to endure the extreme conditions of temperature fluctuations, crush and impact, tensile loading and even immersion or burial applications. Yet one of the biggest threats to fiber optic cable signal integrity is rodents chewing on cables resulting in exposed or broken fiber links which cause increased maintenance costs, reduced productivity and lost revenue.
 
The new rodent-deterrent cable jackets reduce maintenance costs and enhance cable life cycles. These cable jacket options offer a non-toxic, safe and effective method of reducing damage caused by rodents while still offering the ruggedness expected from AFL’s tactical and OSP fiber optic cables.
 
AFL rodent deterrent bittering agents are available in outside plant loose tube cables, outdoor tight buffered cables and our complete line of tactical tight-buffered cables. For more information on AFL, its products and services, visit www.AFLglobal.com.
 
About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, factory, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting OEM, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

Contacts
Craig Stratton
Market and Business Development Manager, Industrial
AFL
864.486.7067
Craig.Stratton@AFLglobal.com

Corie Culp
PR Manager
AFL
864.433.5409
Corie.Culp@AFLglobal.com