GYFTY Cable: Core Specifications, Applications & Installation Guide

January 8, 2026

GYFTY Cable: Core Specifications, Applications & Installation Guide

GYFTY fiber optic cable, a premium all-dielectric (non-metallic) outdoor solution, is engineered to excel in high-lightning, high-electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments where traditional metallic-reinforced cables pose risks. Compliant with international standards including IEC 60794-1 and YD/T 901-2018, GYFTY’s unique structure—featuring a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) central strength member, loose-tube design, and full-section water-blocking—delivers reliable performance for aerial, duct, and conduit installations. This comprehensive guide explores GYFTY’s structural advantages, core technical specifications, core count ranges, targeted applications, installation best practices, and selection strategies, integrating real-world deployment insights to help engineers, project managers, and procurement teams make informed decisions while avoiding common industry pitfalls.

Decoding GYFTY Cable Structure & Key Advantages

The performance of GYFTY cable is rooted in its optimized all-dielectric design, with each component tailored to enhance durability, safety, and signal integrity. The GYFTY naming convention reveals its core attributes: G (General-purpose outdoor cable), Y (Polyethylene outer sheath), F (Non-metallic FRP central strength member), T (Loose-tube filled structure), and Y (Polyethylene inner filling/sheath). Unlike metallic-reinforced cables (e.g., GYTS, GYTA), GYFTY eliminates all metal components, making it immune to EMI and lightning strikes—a critical advantage in power transmission corridors, mountainous regions, and industrial zones with heavy electrical equipment.

From inner to outer, GYFTY’s structure comprises five key components:

Optical Fibers: Single-mode (G.652D, G.657A1/A2) or multi-mode (OM1-OM4) fibers, precision-controlled for minimal attenuation and stable transmission.
PBT Loose Tubes: High-modulus polyester tubes filled with thixotropic water-blocking gel, protecting fibers from moisture and mechanical stress. Each tube can accommodate 4–12 fibers, depending on core count requirements.
FRP Central Strength Member: A non-conductive, high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic rod at the core, providing tensile strength (up to 1500N short-term) without metallic conductivity.
Water-Blocking System: Water-swellable yarns and full cable core filling with water-blocking compound, ensuring 100% longitudinal and radial water resistance—critical for long-term reliability in humid or rainy environments.
UV-Resistant PE Sheath: A black polyethylene outer jacket with anti-ultraviolet and anti-corrosion properties, enabling a service life of 30+ years in outdoor exposure.

Key advantages of GYFTY’s structure include: immunity to lightning and EMI, lightweight design (45–150 kg/km, depending on core count) for easy installation, excellent flexibility, and compliance with environmental standards (RoHS, REACH). These attributes make GYFTY the go-to choice for projects where electrical isolation and safety are paramount.

Critical Technical Specifications of GYFTY Cable

GYFTY’s technical parameters are optimized for all-dielectric performance, with strict adherence to global standards. Below are the core specifications that define its suitability for high-demand environments:

1. Mechanical Performance

Tensile Strength: Short-term (installation) ≥1500N; long-term (operation) ≥600N, supported by the FRP central member—sufficient for aerial lashing and duct pulling without fiber damage.
Crush Resistance: Short-term ≥1000N/100mm; long-term ≥300N/100mm, protecting the cable core from accidental squeezing during installation or operation.
Bending Radius: Static (fixed installation) ≥10× cable diameter; dynamic (pulling) ≥20× cable diameter—facilitating routing in tight spaces and around obstacles in power corridors.

2. Environmental Performance

Temperature Range: Operates reliably between -40℃ and +70℃, adapting to extreme climates from freezing mountainous regions to hot desert areas.
Water Blocking: Complies with IEC 60794-1-F5B standards—1m water column, 1m cable length, 8 hours no water penetration, ensuring moisture resistance in underground ducts or rainy aerial environments.
UV & Corrosion Resistance: Black PE sheath resists UV radiation and chemical corrosion, making it suitable for industrial zones, coastal areas, and power plant environments.
Lightning Protection: All-dielectric structure eliminates metallic paths, preventing lightning-induced voltage surges that damage equipment or disrupt signals—a key advantage over GYTS/GYTA.

3. Optical Performance

GYFTY supports both single-mode and multi-mode fibers, with optical parameters tailored to transmission distance and bandwidth needs:

Single-Mode Fibers (G.652D): Attenuation ≤0.36 dB/km at 1310nm, ≤0.22 dB/km at 1550nm; cut-off wavelength ≤1260nm—ideal for long-distance (up to 100km) backbone and access networks.
Multi-Mode Fibers (OM3/OM4): Attenuation ≤3.0 dB/km at 850nm, ≤1.0 dB/km at 1300nm; bandwidth ≥500 MHz·km at 850nm—suitable for short-range (≤550m) FTTH and campus network transitions.

GYFTY Core Count Ranges & Target Applications

GYFTY cable is available in core counts from 2 to 300 cores (in 2-core increments), with core count directly influencing cable diameter, weight, and application scope. The loose-tube design allows scalable fiber capacity, with multiple PBT tubes (each holding 4–12 fibers) stranded around the FRP central member. Below is a detailed breakdown of core count ranges and their real-world applications:

1. Low Core Count (2–36 Cores): Small-Scale Connectivity

2–36 core GYFTY uses 1–6 loose tubes (each with 6 fibers) and features a diameter of 8.6–10.6mm, weight of 45–92 kg/km. This range is optimized for small-scale projects requiring electrical isolation and easy installation.

Typical Applications:

Power Substation Communication: 4–12 core GYFTY connects protection relays, SCADA systems, and video surveillance in high-voltage substations, where EMI immunity is critical to avoid signal interference.
Rural FTTH Distribution: 12–36 core GYFTY is deployed in mountainous rural areas with high lightning risk, linking central offices to village distribution boxes—its lightweight design simplifies aerial installation across difficult terrain.
Industrial Zone Networks: 8–24 core GYFTY connects production equipment and monitoring systems in factories with heavy electrical machinery, eliminating EMI-related signal disruptions.

2. Medium Core Count (38–144 Cores): Mid-Scale Infrastructure

38–144 core GYFTY uses 6–12 loose tubes (each with 12 fibers) and has a diameter of 11.2–16.8mm, weight of 55–120 kg/km. This range balances bandwidth capacity and installation feasibility for mid-scale networks.

Typical Applications:

Urban Power Corridor Backhaul: 72–144 core GYFTY is lashed to high-voltage power lines, providing backhaul for 5G small cells and smart grid systems—its all-dielectric design ensures safety near power lines.
Campus & Hospital Networks: 48–96 core GYFTY connects buildings in universities, hospitals, and research facilities with sensitive equipment (e.g., MRI machines), avoiding EMI that could disrupt operations.
CATV Distribution: 60–120 core GYFTY distributes cable TV signals in coastal areas with high humidity and lightning risk, leveraging its water-blocking and corrosion-resistant properties.

3. High Core Count (146–300 Cores): Large-Scale Backbones

146–300 core GYFTY uses 12–24 loose tubes (each with 12 fibers) and features a diameter of 16.8–20mm, weight of 120–150 kg/km. This range is designed for large-scale backbone networks requiring high bandwidth and EMI immunity.

Typical Applications:

Long-Distance Rural Backbones: 192–300 core GYFTY connects cities via mountainous or coastal routes with high lightning risk, supporting large-volume data transmission for telecom and internet service providers.
Industrial Park Backbones: 146–216 core GYFTY serves as the backbone for large industrial parks with multiple factories, providing high-bandwidth connectivity while avoiding EMI from industrial equipment.
Smart Grid Backbones: 216–300 core GYFTY supports smart grid data transmission across wide areas, ensuring reliable communication between power generation, distribution, and consumption points in high-EMI environments.

GYFTY Cable Technical Specifications Table (SEO-Optimized)

Below is a keyword-enhanced table of GYFTY core count-specific parameters, aligned with IEC 60794-1 and YD/T 901-2018 standards, to help with quick selection and comparison:

GYFTY Core Count Range	GYFTY Cable Diameter (mm, Approx.)	GYFTY Cable Weight (kg/km, Approx.)	GYFTY Short-Term Tensile Strength (N)	GYFTY Long-Term Tensile Strength (N)	GYFTY Max Crush Resistance (N/100mm)	GYFTY Bending Radius (Static/Dynamic)	GYFTY Typical Fiber Type	Max Attenuation (1310nm, dB/km)	GYFTY Primary Application
2–36 Cores	8.6–10.6	45–92	1500	600	300/1000 (Long/Short Term)	10D/20D	G.652D (SMF); OM3 (MMF)	0.36	Power Substations, Rural FTTH
38–144 Cores	11.2–16.8	55–120	1500	600	300/1000 (Long/Short Term)	10D/20D	G.652D (SMF); OM4 (MMF)	0.36	Power Corridor Backhaul, Campus Networks
146–300 Cores	16.8–20.0	120–150	1500	600	300/1000 (Long/Short Term)	10D/20D	G.652D (SMF)	0.36	Rural Backbones, Smart Grids

GYFTY vs. GYTS/GYTA: Key Differences & Selection Criteria

A common challenge is choosing between GYFTY and traditional metallic-reinforced cables (GYTS, GYTA). While all three are outdoor loose-tube cables, their core differences lie in conductivity, protection, and application suitability:

Conductivity: GYFTY is all-dielectric (non-conductive), immune to EMI and lightning; GYTS/GYTA use steel/ aluminum reinforcement and armor, making them conductive and prone to lightning damage.
Installation Environment: GYFTY is ideal for power corridors, high-lightning areas, and industrial zones with heavy EMI; GYTS (steel armor) is for direct burial (rodent protection), GYTA (aluminum armor) for duct/aerial in low-EMI areas.
Weight & Installation: GYFTY is 15–25% lighter than GYTS/GYTA for the same core count, simplifying aerial installation in remote areas; GYTS/GYTA require more heavy-duty equipment for pulling.
Cost: GYFTY has a slightly higher upfront cost than GYTS/GYTA but lower long-term maintenance costs (no lightning/EMI damage repairs).

Selection Tip: Choose GYFTY if the installation environment has high lightning risk, EMI, or proximity to power lines. Opt for GYTS/GYTA for direct burial or low-EMI aerial/duct projects where cost is a primary concern.

GYFTY Installation Best Practices

Proper installation is critical to maximizing GYFTY’s performance, especially in high-demand environments. Below are industry-proven tips based on real-world deployment experience:

1. Aerial Installation (Lashed to Power Lines)

Use non-metallic lashing wire to maintain GYFTY’s all-dielectric advantage—avoid steel lashing wire that could introduce conductivity.
Maintain a sag of 0.5–0.7m per 50m span to prevent excessive tension on the FRP central member; adjust for temperature variations (more sag in hot weather).
Install surge protectors at splice points (even though GYFTY is lightning-resistant) to protect connected equipment from indirect lightning strikes.

2. Duct Installation

Use tension meters to keep pulling force below 1500N (short-term limit) to avoid damaging the FRP strength member.
Add lubricant to ducts in long runs (over 500m) to reduce friction; avoid sharp bends that exceed the 20× dynamic bending radius.
Seal duct ends with waterproof caps to prevent moisture ingress, even though GYFTY has full water-blocking protection.

3. Splicing & Termination

Use non-metallic splice closures to maintain GYFTY’s all-dielectric integrity—metallic closures can act as lightning rods.
Splice fibers in a clean, dry environment to avoid contaminating the water-blocking gel, which could compromise moisture resistance.
Test optical performance (attenuation, return loss) after splicing to ensure no fiber damage during installation.

Why Choose TTI Fiber for GYFTY Cables

Selecting a reliable manufacturer is essential to ensuring GYFTY’s all-dielectric performance, as the quality of FRP strength members, water-blocking materials, and sheath extrusion directly impacts long-term reliability. TTI Fiber, a global leader in fiber optic products, offers premium GYFTY solutions backed by strict quality control, comprehensive certifications, and end-to-end support.

Founded in 2013, TTI Fiber Communication Tech. Co., Ltd., is a professional manufacturer specializing in Fiber optic products. Our factory located in Shenzhen, China, covers an area of 12,000 square meters and has obtained ISO 9001, ISO 14001, REACH, RoHS, CE and CPR certificates and so on. We have a wide range of fiber optic products, including Fiber Optic Cable, Fiber Optic Patch Cord, Fiber Optic Splitter, Fiber Optic Patch Panel, FTTx products, etc. We also provide professional Fiber Cabling Solutions and one-stop OEM & ODM service. Our main markets are in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Our reliable quality and sincere service are highly recognized by our clients all over the world. We cooperated with Global 500 top brands on FTTx products, and more than 30 well-known brand clients in fiber optic industry. Our products are exported to over 100 countries. We are committed to providing our clients with the best support, regardless of their business scale. Our expertise and knowledge of market trends, enables us provide technical support and matched solutions on fiber optic products. We are proud of providing excellent quality, competitive price and timely delivery.

TTI Fiber’s GYFTY cables cover 2–300 core counts with single-mode and multi-mode options, adhering to IEC 60794-1 and YD/T 901-2018 standards. Our precision manufacturing process ensures consistent FRP strength member quality, uniform water-blocking gel filling, and durable PE sheath extrusion—critical for all-dielectric performance. TTI Fiber also offers customizable solutions, including LSZH flame-retardant sheaths for industrial environments and tailored core counts for specific project needs. Our technical team provides end-to-end support, from project-specific GYFTY selection and installation guidance to post-sales maintenance, helping clients optimize deployment efficiency and reduce long-term costs.

Conclusion: GYFTY—The Ideal Choice for High-Risk, High-Demand Environments

GYFTY cable’s all-dielectric design, combined with its reliable mechanical, environmental, and optical performance, makes it the premier solution for outdoor installations in high-lightning, high-EMI environments. By aligning core count with bandwidth needs, adhering to installation best practices, and partnering with a trusted manufacturer like TTI Fiber, professionals can deploy safe, reliable, and long-lasting fiber networks. Whether for power substation communication, rural FTTH, smart grid backhaul, or industrial zone connectivity, GYFTY’s unique advantages position it as a versatile and essential component in modern fiber optic infrastructure.