Published on:2026-05-24 Click:30
Neutrally buoyant ROV tether cable with 2 power cores and 1 twisted pair. Foamed PUR jacket for near-zero drag, for ROV observation systems and underwater robots.
The 2-power + 1-twisted-pair neutrally buoyant ROV tether cable provides the essential power supply and signal channel for compact observation-class ROVs in a near-zero-drag foamed PUR jacket. Two power conductors supply thruster and electronics power while the twisted pair carries RS-485 control, analog signals, or low-bandwidth data. The foamed polyurethane (PUR) jacket uses a micro-cellular expanded jacket compound with a bulk density lower than seawater (~1.025 g/cm³), giving the cable near-zero or positive net buoyancy. This eliminates tether sag and reduces drag force on the ROV, improving vehicle manoeuvrability and reducing tether management workload during subsea operations.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power Cores | 2 x stranded tinned copper (CSA per spec) |
| Signal | 1 x twisted pair (shielded, 0.2--0.5 mm²) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR (neutrally buoyant) |
| Buoyancy | Near-neutral (0 ± 3 g/m in seawater) |
| Conductor Material | Tinned copper |
| Colour | Black or yellow |
| Custom | Conductor CSA, buoyancy, length, Kevlar |
Request datasheet, custom length, or OEM pricing: sales@rovcable.com -- Shanghai Kabel Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.
The jacket is manufactured from a micro-cellular expanded (foamed) polyurethane compound. During extrusion, a controlled foaming agent creates millions of tiny closed-cell air pockets within the jacket wall. These air cells reduce the bulk density of the jacket below that of seawater (~1.025 g/cm³), producing positive or neutral net buoyancy. The jacket retains all the abrasion resistance, oil resistance, and flexibility of standard PUR while achieving the buoyancy needed for ROV tether applications.
Yes. Buoyancy (positive, neutral, or slightly negative) is tuned by adjusting the foam cell density in the jacket compound and the jacket wall thickness. Specify the required net buoyancy per metre (in g/m) and the water salinity (fresh / brackish / seawater) when ordering. We can also add a Kevlar or Dyneema strength member to increase tensile strength without significantly changing buoyancy.
