Price of old-style armored optical cable

Old-style armored fiber optic cables typically range from $0.35 to $6.50 per foot depending on type, strand count, and installation environment.

Price Ranges by Cable Type

• Multimode (OM1/OM2/OM3/OM4) Armored Cables: $0.35–$6.50 per foot, with OM3/OM4 cables generally costing more due to higher performance and industrial-grade jackets (LSZH or TPU) for outdoor use .
• Singlemode (OS2) Armored Cables: $0.90–$4.95 per foot depending on core count and jacket type, with plenum, riser, and direct burial variants affecting the price .
• Vintage or used OM3 LC to LC armored cables (100m/328ft) are available around $210–$215 per 100 meters, which translates to roughly $0.64–$0.66 per foot .

Factors Affecting Price

1. Strand Count: Higher fiber counts (e.g., 24, 48, 72 strands) increase cost per foot due to more glass and armor material .
2. Jacket Material: LSZH jackets are 25–40% more expensive than standard PVC due to fire safety and low smoke requirements .
3. Armor Type: Corrugated steel or interlocking aluminum armor adds durability for outdoor or direct burial applications, increasing cost .
4. Installation Environment: Outdoor, direct burial, or industrial-grade cables are priced higher than indoor plenum or riser-rated cables .
5. Pre-Terminated vs. Bulk: Pre-terminated cables add 20–30% to material cost but reduce labor expenses significantly .

Practical Examples

• Outdoor OM3/OM4 armored cable, 100m: _{$210–$215 per 100m (}$0.64–$0.66/ft) with LC connectors and LSZH jacket .
• Singlemode 12-core armored plenum cable: $1.80–$2.16 per foot depending on jacket type (PU, LSZH, or plenum-rated) and strand configuration .
• Direct burial 24-core armored cable: $3.50–$4.95 per foot for high strand count and industrial TPU jacket .

Summary

For budgeting purposes, expect old-style armored fiber optic cables to cost between $0.35 and $6.50 per foot, with multimode OM1/OM2 on the lower end and high-performance OM3/OM4 or singlemode OS2 with high strand counts and industrial jackets on the higher end. Prices vary based on strand count, jacket type, armor material, and whether the cable is pre-terminated or bulk .