Do patch cords become stiff in winter?

International Zone (English) OFSCN Knowledge Base (Public)
1

In northern regions where temperatures drop to tens of degrees below zero, will the jacket of a standard patch cord freeze and crack?

2

It depends on the material used for the outer jacket of the patch cord.

Standard patch cords typically use PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) as jacket materials. These materials have a glass transition temperature that makes them significantly stiffer and more brittle as temperatures drop below 0^{\circ}\text{C}.

In northern regions where temperatures can reach -20^{\circ}\text{C} to -40^{\circ}\text{C}, a standard patch cord will experience the following:

  1. Hardening and Stiffening: The plasticizers in the jacket material lose their effectiveness, causing the cable to become rigid and difficult to bend.
  2. Stress Cracking: If the cable is moved or bent while in this “frozen” state, the jacket is highly susceptible to cracking, which exposes the internal optical fiber to moisture and physical damage.
  3. Signal Loss: The stiffening of the jacket can exert uneven mechanical stress (micro-bending) on the optical fiber inside, leading to increased attenuation or signal interruption.

Technical Solution from OFSCN®

For extreme cold environments, standard commercial patch cords are not recommended. You should use cables designed with low-temperature resistant materials.

OFSCN® provides specialized solutions for such conditions, specifically our Stainless Steel Seamless Tube Series. Unlike plastic jackets, the stainless steel protection does not change its mechanical properties in sub-zero temperatures.

For sensing applications in cold regions, we recommend:
OFSCN® 200℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord

Technical Advantages:

  • Temperature Range: Stable performance from -200^{\circ}\text{C} to +600^{\circ}\text{C} (depending on the internal fiber coating).
  • Mechanical Protection: The seamless stainless steel tube provides 100% protection against freezing, moisture, and rodent damage.
  • No Material Aging: It does not become brittle or crack regardless of the thermal cycles.

You can find more detailed specifications regarding low-temperature resistance here:
OFSCN® Special Fiber Optic Cables