Published on:2026-05-24 Click:24
3 power core + Cat5 neutrally buoyant ROV tether cable. Foamed PUR jacket for ROV requiring 3-zone power and Cat5 Ethernet in one buoyant tether.
The 3-power + Cat5 neutral buoyant ROV tether integrates three power conductors (for independent power zones: thruster, lights, electronics) with four Cat5 shielded twisted pairs (for 100/1000 Mbps Ethernet and additional signal channels) in a foamed PUR buoyant jacket. This is a cost-effective tether design for ROV systems already using IP-based control and IP cameras, where Cat5 Ethernet replaces the need for separate RS-485 and coaxial cables. 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 | 3 x stranded tinned copper (CSA per spec) |
| Cat5 Pairs | 4 x 2 x 24AWG shielded twisted pairs |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant |
| Ethernet | 100BASE-TX / 1000BASE-T capable |
| Voltage Rating (Power) | 300V -- 600V |
| Custom | Power CSA, Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6, 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.
Cat5 supports 100BASE-TX (100 Mbps). Cat5e adds improved pair-pair crosstalk specs and supports 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). Cat6 further improves bandwidth to 250 MHz. For most ROV tether applications, Cat5e is sufficient and recommended. Cat6 adds cost and OD. Specify Cat5e for the best balance of performance and cable diameter.
