A comprehensive comparison of indoor-rated and outdoor-rated fiber optic cables. Understand jacket materials, fire safety requirements, environmental protection, and proper selection for your project.
Direct Answer
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor fiber optic cable? The main differences are the jacket material, fire rating, and environmental protection. Outdoor cables use PE (polyethylene) jacket for UV resistance and water blocking for moisture protection. Indoor cables use LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jacket for fire safety and are lighter without water-blocking. Outdoor cables have steel tape or armor for rodent protection; indoor cables are more flexible for building routing. Outdoor cables should not be used indoors due to fire hazard from PE jacket, and indoor cables should not be used outdoors due to lack of UV/moisture protection.
Quick Decision Guide: Indoor vs Outdoor Cable
| Factor | Indoor Cable | Outdoor Cable | Best Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacket Material | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) | PE (Polyethylene) | Match to environment |
| Fire Rating | IEC 60332-1 or better | Not fire-rated (PE burns) | Indoor needs fire rating |
| Water Blocking | None or minimal | Filling compound, tapes, yarns | Outdoor needs water blocking |
| Armor | None (flexible) | Steel tape, steel wire, or dielectric | Outdoor for protection |
| UV Resistance | None | Carbon black + UV stabilizers | Outdoor for sunlight exposure |
Key Takeaways
Citable Specification Notes
The single most important difference between indoor and outdoor fiber optic cable is the jacket material. It determines fire safety, UV resistance, and environmental durability.
For outdoor use: PE (Polyethylene) jacket is black, UV-resistant, tough, and weatherproof. However, PE is flammable and produces dense smoke when burning — it's not safe for indoor building installation.
For indoor use: LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jacket produces minimal smoke and no toxic halogen gas when burned. It's required by building codes for indoor riser and plenum spaces. LSZH is not UV-resistant and absorbs moisture over time outdoors.
Outdoor cables face rain, groundwater, sunlight, temperature extremes, and rodents. They are designed with:
Indoor cables typically have none of these features, making them unsuitable for outdoor deployment.
Many FTTH and campus network deployments need a single cable that transitions from outside to inside the building. For these scenarios, MapleArashi offers:
Browse our FTTH drop cable range for indoor-outdoor rated solutions, GYXTW central tube cable for duct use, or ADSS for aerial outdoor applications.
