Published on:2026-05-24 Click:30
Neutrally buoyant ROV tether cable 2x16AWG power + 2x2x26AWG signal pairs. Foamed PUR jacket, for ROV with high-power thruster supply and 4-wire signal/Ethernet.
The 2x16AWG + 2x2x26AWG neutrally buoyant ROV tether combines heavy 16AWG power conductors (capable of ~13A continuous per core for high-power thrusters) with two 2x26AWG twisted pairs (for RS-485 control and data) in a single foamed PUR tether jacket. The foamed jacket keeps the tether neutrally buoyant in seawater, eliminating the dead-weight drag that standard sinking tethers impose on the ROV. 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 16AWG (1.31 mm²) stranded tinned copper |
| Signal Pairs | 2 x 2 x 26AWG (0.128 mm²) shielded twisted pairs |
| Power Current | ~13A per core @ 40°C |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant in seawater |
| Shielding | Individual pair foil + drain |
| Colour | Yellow / black |
| Custom | Length, buoyancy, pair shielding |
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.
