Published on:2026-05-24 Click:28
3x18AWG yellow neutral buoyancy underwater ROV cable with foamed PUR jacket. High-visibility yellow, 3 power cores for thruster-only or combined power ROV tether applications.
The 3x18AWG yellow neutral buoyancy ROV cable is a straightforward three-conductor power tether with a high-visibility yellow foamed PUR jacket. Three 18AWG conductors (~10A each) provide three independent power channels -- commonly used for thruster power supply (forward/reverse + vertical), a 3-phase brushless motor supply (from ESC), or a 3-zone power distribution network. The foamed yellow jacket floats at the surface and remains visible in the water, simplifying tether management during shallow ROV operations. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cores | 3 x 18AWG (0.82 mm²) stranded tinned copper |
| Current Rating | ~10A per core @ 40°C (derated in bundle: ~7A) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Jacket Colour | Yellow (high visibility) |
| Buoyancy | Neutral in seawater |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +80°C |
| Custom | Length, buoyancy, conductor CSA, 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.
Yellow is the internationally recognised colour for ROV and diving umbilical tethers. Its high visibility in water makes it easy to track from the surface and reduces entanglement risk. Orange is an alternative high-visibility colour. Other colours (black, blue) are available on request.
