Published on:2026-05-24 Click:29
4x2x26AWG neutrally buoyant waterproof ROV tether cable. Foamed PUR, 4 shielded twisted pairs of 26AWG for ROV Ethernet and control in a buoyant waterproof tether.
The 4x2x26AWG neutrally buoyant ROV tether is a popular standard configuration for observation-class ROV Ethernet tethers (compatible with BlueROV2, Chasing M2, and similar vehicles). Four twisted pairs of 26AWG conductors provide full Cat5e Ethernet capability (100BASE-TX / 1000BASE-T) and simultaneously carry RS-485 or analog signals on the remaining pairs, all within a compact foamed PUR waterproof jacket. 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 |
|---|---|
| Pairs | 4 x 2 x 26AWG (0.128 mm²) twisted pairs |
| Conductor Material | Stranded tinned copper |
| Pair Shielding | Individual foil + drain wire (optional) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR (waterproof) |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant in seawater |
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz (Cat5e equivalent) |
| Colour | Yellow / black |
| Custom | Shielding grade, 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.
The 4x2x26AWG foamed construction is electrically compatible with the BlueRobotics Fathom tether standard (which uses 4 twisted pairs, 26AWG, for the Fathom-X ETHERNET link and RS-485 control). The foamed PUR jacket provides equivalent buoyancy to the original Fathom tether. Confirm the cable OD against your strain-relief fittings before ordering.
