Published on:2026-05-24 Click:20
Neutrally buoyant ROV tether 2x22AWG power + 2x2x24AWG signal pairs. Foamed PUR for ROV tether combining power supply and two high-quality 24AWG signal pairs.
The 2x22AWG + 2x2x24AWG neutral buoyant ROV tether combines two 22AWG power conductors (for ROV thruster and electronics supply) with two high-quality 24AWG shielded twisted pairs (for Ethernet 100BASE-TX and RS-485 or analog) in a foamed PUR buoyant jacket. 24AWG pairs have better signal integrity than 26AWG for equivalent lengths, supporting Gigabit Ethernet reliably to longer tether lengths. 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 |
| Signal Pairs | 2 x 2 x 24AWG shielded twisted pairs |
| Pair Shielding | Foil + drain wire |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant |
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz (Cat5e grade per pair) |
| Custom | Power CSA, pair shielding, 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.
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.
