Published on:2026-05-24 Click:15
ROV tether 2x22AWG power + 2 multi-mode fiber for Seabotix. Neutrally buoyant foamed PUR for Seabotix ROV tether upgrade to fiber optic high-bandwidth data.
The 2x22AWG + 2-MM-fiber ROV tether is a fiber-upgrade version of the standard Seabotix tether, replacing the copper signal pairs with two OM3/OM4 multi-mode fiber cores for higher-bandwidth video and data transmission. While the standard Seabotix tether uses 26AWG copper pairs for RS-485 at relatively low data rates, this variant enables IP camera streams, sonar data, and control telemetry over fiber. Two fibers provide primary and redundant optical channels. 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 22AWG (0.33 mm²) tinned copper |
| Fiber | 2 x OM3 or OM4 multi-mode (50/125 μm) |
| Fiber Bandwidth | 10 Gbps to 300 m (OM4) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant |
| Compatible ROV | Seabotix LBV (fiber upgrade) |
| Custom | Fiber type, connector, 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.
Multi-mode fiber (OM3/OM4) is specified here because: (1) Seabotix ROVs operate at shallow depths (≤300 m) where OM4 10 Gbps bandwidth to 300 m is more than sufficient; (2) Multi-mode fiber transceivers (850 nm VCSEL) are lower cost and more commonly available than SM transceivers; (3) OM4 has lower connector alignment precision requirements than SM, making installation and connector replacement in the field easier. For tether lengths >300 m or future 10 Gbps requirements, upgrade to SM OS2.
