Published on:2026-05-24 Click:18
3x16AWG power + 1x2x24AWG screened pair + RG59 neutral buoyant cable. Foamed PUR for ROV tether with heavy power, screened signal, and coaxial video in one buoyant cable.
The 3x16AWG + 24AWG screened pair + RG59 neutral buoyant cable combines three heavy 16AWG power conductors (~13A each, for high-power 3-thruster or 3-phase motor supply), a screened 24AWG twisted pair (for RS-485 or Cat5e Ethernet), and an RG59 coaxial (for analog CVBS/AHD video) in a single foamed PUR neutral-buoyancy jacket. This is the standard configuration for ROV systems using analog camera (RG59) and RS-485 control alongside high-power thrusters. 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 16AWG (1.31 mm²) tinned copper |
| Current Rating | ~13A per core (derated to ~9A in bundle) |
| Signal Pair | 1 x 2 x 24AWG individually screened |
| Coaxial | 1 x RG59 (75 Ohm) |
| Jacket | Foamed micro-cellular PUR |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Custom | Conductor CSA, pair count, coax type, length |
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.
When all conductors are properly assembled in the foamed cable, the RG59 coaxial outer braid provides significant self-shielding for the video signal. The 16AWG power conductors run DC or low-frequency AC, not at video frequencies. The main risk is from PWM thruster ESC switching at 20--100 kHz, which can be mitigated by: (1) keeping the power cores twisted tightly; (2) using shielded RG59; (3) earthing the RG59 shield at one end only. In practice, this combination works well in production ROV systems.
