Buoyant Tether Cable for ROV and Subsea Systems
TEBAOFLEX Buoyant Tether Cable is a small-diameter, neutrally buoyant underwater cable for ROVs, subsea instruments, cameras, sensors and compact underwater equipment. The cable combines flexible signal conductors or optical fibres with a textile braid strength member and a hydrolysis- and UV-resistant PUR outer sheath.
Its controlled buoyancy helps reduce cable weight in water and supports stable underwater movement. The available configurations include paired 26 AWG copper signal conductors and a multi-protocol fibre-optic version. Select the construction according to the required channels, working load, bending radius, water conditions and communication protocol.
Key Features
- Neutrally buoyant design for underwater tether and ROV applications.
- Small cable diameter for compact equipment and low-drag underwater routing.
- Tinned copper conductors with polyethylene insulation in copper signal versions.
- Foamed TPR inner sheath and LCP yarn braid strength member.
- Hydrolysis- and UV-resistant yellow PUR outer sheath.
- Textile braid reinforcement for flexible handling and controlled tensile loads.
- Water-blocking tape included in the 8GAX163 configuration.
- Multi-protocol fibre-optic option available in the 4GAX181 configuration.
Buoyant Tether Cable Models
| Model | Construction | Overall diameter | Breaking strength | Max. working load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2GAX160 | 1 x 2 x 26 AWG copper pair | 4.75 mm | 80 kg | 20 kg |
| 4GAX161 | 2 x 2 x 26 AWG copper pairs | 5.90 mm | 160 kg | 40 kg |
| 6GAX162 | 3 x 2 x 26 AWG copper pairs | 6.80 mm | 160 kg | 40 kg |
| 8GAX163 | 4 x 2 x 26 AWG copper pairs with water-blocking tape | 7.60 mm | 320 kg | 80 kg |
Copper Signal Cable Construction
- Conductor: Tinned copper, 7 x 0.16 mm construction.
- Insulation: Polyethylene insulation for the 26 AWG conductors.
- Pair arrangement: Cores twisted in pairs for signal transmission.
- Tape layer: Polyester tape; water-blocking tape is used in the 8GAX163 design.
- Inner sheath: Yellow foamed TPR.
- Strength member: LCP yarn textile braid.
- Outer sheath: Yellow hydrolysis- and UV-resistant PUR.
Fibre Optic Buoyant Tether Cable
The 4GAX181 fibre optic buoyant tether cable is a multi-protocol optical configuration for underwater systems that require high-bandwidth data communication in a small, neutrally buoyant cable.
| Parameter | 4GAX181 specification |
|---|---|
| Fibre construction | 2 x 9/125 + 2 x 50/125 optical fibres in PBT jelly-filled tube |
| Nominal overall diameter | 5.00 mm |
| Attenuation, 9/125 at 1310 nm | < 1.0 dB/km |
| Attenuation, 9/125 at 1550 nm | < 1.0 dB/km |
| Attenuation, 50/125 at 850 nm | < 3.5 dB/km |
| Attenuation, 50/125 at 1300 nm | < 1.5 dB/km |
| Breaking strength | 320 kg |
| Maximum working load | 80 kg |
Electrical and Physical Characteristics
| Characteristic | 2GAX160 | 4GAX161 | 6GAX162 | 8GAX163 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working voltage | 250 V for 26 AWG versions | |||
| Characteristic impedance | 100 ohm per 26 AWG pair | |||
| Conductor resistance at 20 C | < 138.55 ohm/km | |||
| Weight in air | 16 kg/km | 26.5 kg/km | 34 kg/km | 42 kg/km |
| Weight in fresh water | -1 kg/km | -1 kg/km | -3 kg/km | -4 kg/km |
| Weight in seawater, SG 1.026 | -2 kg/km | -2 kg/km | -4 kg/km | -5 kg/km |
| Specific gravity | 0.97 kg/dm3 | |||
| Working temperature | -30 C to +80 C | |||
Bending Radius and Handling
| Model | Minimum static bending radius | Minimum dynamic bending radius |
|---|---|---|
| 2GAX160 | 24 mm | 48 mm |
| 4GAX161 | 28 mm | 56 mm |
| 6GAX162 | 34 mm | 68 mm |
| 8GAX163 | 38 mm | 76 mm |
| 4GAX181 | 40 mm | 75 mm |
The stated working load and bending radius should be respected during deployment, recovery and storage. Confirm the complete equipment arrangement, cable length, handling method and connector design before selecting a model.
Applications
- ROV control, signal and communication tethers.
- Underwater cameras, sensors and inspection equipment.
- Compact subsea instruments and monitoring packages.
- Marine research and environmental observation systems.
- Fibre-optic underwater links requiring a lightweight, neutrally buoyant cable.
Request a Technical Proposal
Provide the required model, pair or fibre count, cable length, operating depth, working load, bending conditions, connector requirements and communication protocol. TEBAOFLEX can confirm the suitable buoyant tether cable configuration and prepare technical documentation or a quotation.
Need help selecting a buoyant tether? Send your underwater equipment requirements to TEBAOFLEX technical support for a project-specific recommendation.
