What is F&C Hybrid Cable?

F&C (Fiber and Copper) hybrid cable integrates optical fibers and copper conductors within a single unified jacket, enabling simultaneous delivery of high-bandwidth data and low-voltage electrical power over one cable run. This converged approach dramatically simplifies installation by eliminating parallel cable infrastructure, reduces pathway congestion, and lowers total installation cost by 30-50% compared to running separate fiber and copper cables. OMC's F&C hybrid cables serve telecom FTTA deployments, security and surveillance systems, industrial process control, renewable energy plants, and intelligent transportation infrastructure. Available configurations range from simple 2-fiber + 2-power-conductor designs for FTTA up to complex 48-fiber + 24-conductor assemblies for large industrial campuses.

FTTA Hybrid Cable for 4G/5G Network Deployment

The most common application for F&C hybrid cable is Fiber-to-the-Antenna (FTTA) in mobile network deployments, where it connects the Baseband Unit (BBU) at the tower base to the Remote Radio Head (RRH) at the antenna mast. OMC's FTTA hybrid cables typically contain 2 single-mode G.657.A1 bend-insensitive fibers for CPRI/eCPRI data transport at 10G, 25G, or 100G, alongside 2 power conductors (typically 2.5 mm² to 4 mm² stranded tinned copper) delivering 48V DC at up to 10A to power the radio head. The cable jacket uses UV-resistant PE for outdoor exposure, with LSZH inner layers for fire safety compliance where required. Pre-terminated assemblies are available with ODVA IPL, DLC, or OEM-specific connectors compatible with Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and ZTE radio equipment.

Industrial and Security System Applications

Beyond FTTA, F&C hybrid cables are widely deployed in physical security and industrial automation networks. IP video surveillance systems use hybrid cables where fiber provides the long-distance gigabit uplink from camera to NVR/server and copper conductors deliver PoE+ (30W) or PoE++ (60-100W) power to the camera, eliminating the need for local power outlets at each camera pole or column. This is especially valuable for perimeter security installations where cameras may be mounted 100-500 meters from the nearest electrical outlet. Industrial process control systems combine fiber for PROFINET, EtherCAT, or Modbus TCP/IP communication with copper for analog 4-20 mA signal lines, 24V DC control power, and solenoid activation, all consolidated into a single cable run to distributed I/O modules and motor drives.

Cable Construction and Electrical Ratings

OMC F&C hybrid cables use a carefully engineered multi-subunit construction: the fiber subunit is a standard tight-buffered or loose-tube design with 900 µm buffer or 2.0 mm jacket; copper conductors use stranded tinned copper with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation rated at 300V, 600V, or 1000V depending on the application; both subunits are enclosed in water-blocking tapes, aramid strength members, and an outer LSZH, PE, or armored PE jacket. For outdoor use, PE or armoured PE jackets with UV stabilizers ensure 25-year outdoor service life. For indoor plenum spaces, LSZH or plenum-rated constructions meet NFPA 262 and UL 1666 requirements. Cable sizes range from compact 8 mm OD for 2F+2C FTTA cables to 25 mm OD for large 48F+24C industrial hybrid cables. Operating temperature range is -40°C to +75°C for outdoor constructions.

Quality Testing and Ordering Support

Every OMC F&C hybrid cable undergoes rigorous testing across both fiber and copper elements. Fiber channels are 100% OTDR-tested at 1310/1550 nm for insertion loss and continuity. Copper conductors are 100% tested for continuity, insulation resistance (≥100 MΩ per km), and high-potential dielectric withstand (Hipot) per applicable voltage rating. Test reports are serialized per assembly and provided as printed documents and electronic files. For FTTA projects, OMC supports OEM connectorization matching the specific RRH and BBU interfaces of major radio manufacturers, with pre-attached string标识 and installation labels. Volume pricing for telecom operator framework agreements covers annual consumption of 10,000+ hybrid cable assemblies. Contact our engineering team to specify the correct hybrid cable configuration for your converged network project.