GYXY Cable: Core Selection, Specs & Applications Guide

December 25, 2025

GYXY Cable: Core Selection, Specs & Applications Guide

GYXY fiber optic cable, a core member of the central tube unarmored cable family, is widely recognized for its compact structure, lightweight design, and cost-effectiveness. Engineered for outdoor aerial, duct, and indoor-outdoor transition applications, this GYXY cable excels in scenarios where heavy armor is unnecessary but reliable water blocking and mechanical performance are required. This guide delves into GYXY’s structural advantages, technical specifications, core count options, application scenarios, selection strategies, and installation best practices, integrating industry insights to help engineers, project managers, and procurement teams make informed decisions—while avoiding common pitfalls in deployment.

GYXY Cable Structure: Decoding Its Compact Design

The superior performance of GYXY cable stems from its optimized central tube structure, which balances protection, flexibility, and cost. Following industry naming conventions, GYXY breaks down as: G (General-purpose outdoor cable), Y (Polyethylene outer sheath), X (Central tube structure), and Y (Polyethylene inner filling/sheath). Unlike armored cables (e.g., GYTS, GYTY53), GYXY omits metal armor layers, relying on a robust core design to deliver targeted performance.

From inner to outer, GYXY’s structure consists of four key components: 250μm optical fibers are placed into a high-modulus, hydrolysis-resistant loose buffer tube, filled with thixotropic water-blocking gel to prevent moisture ingress. The buffer tube is wrapped in water-swellable yarns for longitudinal water blocking, with two parallel steel wires embedded symmetrically in the outer polyethylene (PE) sheath to provide tensile strength. The black PE outer sheath features UV resistance and environmental stress cracking resistance, ensuring durability in outdoor exposure. This design results in a small diameter (9.5–11mm for 2–24 cores), light weight (77–109 kg/km), and excellent flexibility—critical for easy pulling in ducts and aerial installation across utility poles.

A key distinction between GYXY cable and similar central tube cables (e.g., GYXTW) lies in its unarmored design. GYXTW integrates a steel tape armor layer for enhanced protection, while GYXY cable prioritizes lightweight and cost efficiency—making it the go-to choice for low-risk environments free of rodent threats or heavy mechanical impact. This structural difference also limits GYXY cable’s core count range (2–24 cores), as the single buffer tube cannot accommodate more fibers without compromising flexibility and installation ease.

Key Technical Specifications of GYXY Cable

GYXY cable complies with international standards including YD/T 769-2018 and IEC 60794-1, with performance parameters tailored to its unarmored, central tube design. Below are the critical specifications that define the suitability of GYXY cable for target applications:

1. Mechanical Performance

Tensile Strength: Two parallel steel wires enable short-term tensile strength of 1500N (2–12 cores) and 3000N (reinforced 2–24 cores), with long-term strength of 600N and 1000N respectively—sufficient for aerial pulling and duct installation without fiber damage.
Crush Resistance: Withstands 300N/100mm long-term and 1000N/100mm short-term lateral pressure, protecting fibers from accidental squeezing during installation.
Bending Radius: Static bending radius ≥10× cable diameter, dynamic bending radius ≥20× cable diameter—facilitating routing in tight spaces and around obstacles.

2. Environmental Performance

Temperature Range: Operates reliably between -40°C and +70°C, adapting to extreme climates from cold northern regions to hot coastal areas.
Water Blocking: 100% water blocking via gel-filled buffer tubes and water-swellable yarns, preventing moisture intrusion in humid or rainy environments.
UV Resistance: Black PE outer sheath resists ultraviolet radiation, ensuring a service life of 20+ years in outdoor aerial applications.

3. Optical Performance

GYXY primarily uses single-mode fibers (G.652D, G.657A1) for long-distance transmission, with multi-mode options (OM3, OM4) available for short-range indoor-outdoor transitions. Core optical specs include:

Attenuation: Maximum 0.36 dB/km at 1310nm and 0.22 dB/km at 1550nm for single-mode fibers; 3.0 dB/km at 850nm and 1.0 dB/km at 1300nm for multi-mode fibers.
Cable Cut-off Wavelength: ≤1260nm for single-mode fibers, ensuring stable signal transmission across long distances.

GYXY Core Count Ranges & Target Applications

GYXY cable is available in core counts from 2 to 24 cores (in 2-core increments), with each range optimized for specific project scales and bandwidth demands. Below is a detailed breakdown with real-world deployment scenarios:

1. Low Core Count (2–12 Cores): Small-Scale Connectivity

2–12 core GYXY is the most common configuration, ideal for small-scale projects where bandwidth needs are moderate and cost control is critical. With a diameter of 9.5–10.2mm and weight of 77–83 kg/km, it is easy to handle and install with basic equipment.

Typical Applications:

Residential FTTH: 4–12 core GYXY is deployed for aerial or duct connections in small communities, supporting 50–100 households via GPON technology. For example, 8-core GYXY is often used in suburban neighborhoods to link distribution boxes to individual buildings.
Security Surveillance: 2–4 core GYXY connects outdoor security cameras in residential complexes, shopping malls, or industrial parks—reliable for short-distance video transmission.
Indoor-Outdoor Transition: 6–12 core GYXY bridges indoor networks (e.g., office buildings, data centers) to outdoor lines, leveraging its lightweight design for easy routing through walls or conduits.

2. Medium Core Count (14–24 Cores): Mid-Scale Infrastructure

14–24 core GYXY caters to mid-scale projects requiring higher bandwidth, with a slightly larger diameter (10.2–11mm) and weight (83–109 kg/km). It maintains flexibility while supporting more connections, making it suitable for campus or municipal small-area networks.

Typical Applications:

Campus Networks: 16–24 core GYXY connects buildings across universities, hospitals, or industrial parks via aerial or duct lines, supporting high-bandwidth applications like digital classrooms and research labs.
Small Municipal Broadband: 24 core GYXY is used in town centers to link multiple distribution points, serving 200+ households and small businesses without the cost of armored cables.
5G Small Cell Backhaul: 14–18 core GYXY connects 5G small cells to nearby base stations in urban areas, providing sufficient bandwidth for 5G user traffic.

GYXY Installation Best Practices

Proper installation is critical to maximizing GYXY’s performance, given its unarmored design. Key tips based on industry experience:

Aerial Installation: Use proper hardware to secure the cable to utility poles, ensuring the sag complies with local weather standards (e.g., 0.5m sag per 50m span in moderate wind areas). Avoid direct contact with sharp edges to prevent sheath damage.
Duct Installation: Use cable pullers with tension meters to keep pulling force below 1500N, and add lubricant to reduce friction in long ducts. Avoid sharp bends that exceed the minimum bending radius.
Environment Avoidance: Do not install GYXY in direct burial or rodent-prone areas (e.g., farmland, garbage dumps)—opt for armored cables like GYTY53 instead. In humid areas, seal splice points with waterproof enclosures.

GYXY Cable Technical Specifications Table (Keyword-Enhanced)

Below is a comprehensive table of GYXY core count-specific specifications, aligned with industry standards and optimized for SEO keyword visibility:

GYXY Core Count Range	GYXY Cable Weight (kg/km, Approx.)	GYXY Cable Diameter (mm, Approx.)	GYXY Short-Term Tensile Strength (N)	GYXY Long-Term Tensile Strength (N)	GYXY Typical Fiber Type	Max Attenuation (1310nm, dB/km)	Max Attenuation (1550nm, dB/km)	GYXY Bending Radius (Static/Dynamic)	GYXY Typical Application
2–12 Cores	77–83	9.5–10.2	1500	600	G.652D/G.657A1 (SMF)	0.36	0.22	10D/20D	Residential FTTH, Security Cameras
14–24 Cores	83–109	10.2–11.0	3000 (Reinforced)	1000 (Reinforced)	G.652D (SMF)/OM3 (MMF)	0.36	0.22	10D/20D	Campus Networks, 5G Small Cell Backhaul

Common GYXY Cable Myths Debunked

Misconceptions about GYXY’s capabilities often lead to improper deployment. Below are key myths clarified with industry insights:

Myth 1: GYXY can be used for direct burial.

Fact: GYXY’s unarmored design lacks protection against soil pressure, rodent damage, and excavation. Direct burial requires armored cables like GYTY53. Using GYXY for direct burial leads to a 90%+ failure rate within 5 years.

Myth 2: Higher core count GYXY is less flexible.

Fact: 24-core GYXY maintains the same bending radius (10D/20D) as 2-core GYXY, thanks to its optimized buffer tube and sheath design. Flexibility is determined by structure, not core count within the 2–24 range.

Myth 3: GYXY is not suitable for outdoor use.

Fact: GYXY’s UV-resistant PE sheath and water-blocking design make it ideal for outdoor aerial and duct applications. It is only unsuitable for high-risk environments (direct burial, rodent areas) where armor is needed.

Why Choose TTI Fiber for GYXY Cables

Selecting a reliable manufacturer is essential to ensuring GYXY’s performance, as unarmored cables rely heavily on material quality and precision manufacturing. TTI Fiber stands out as a trusted partner for GYXY solutions, offering consistent quality and comprehensive 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 GYXY cables cover 2–24 core counts with single-mode and multi-mode options, adhering to YD/T 769-2018 and IEC standards. Our strict quality control ensures consistent performance across every batch, while customizable sheath materials (e.g., LSZH for flame-retardant needs) cater to special project requirements. From technical consultation to on-time delivery, TTI Fiber provides end-to-end support for GYXY deployment.

Conclusion: When to Choose GYXY Cable

GYXY cable is the ideal choice for low-risk outdoor aerial, duct, and indoor-outdoor transition projects, offering a perfect balance of performance, flexibility, and cost. By aligning GYXY cable’s core count with bandwidth needs, adhering to installation best practices, and partnering with a trusted manufacturer like TTI Fiber, you can ensure a reliable, long-lasting optical network. Whether for residential FTTH, campus connectivity, or 5G small cell backhaul, GYXY cable’s compact design and targeted performance make it a versatile solution in modern communication infrastructure.