- (61) 3 9761 7600
- sales@andcorp.com.au
The RapidConnect® G-Series GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable provides combined rodent-proof and termite-proof protection for underground fibre infrastructure. Its layered construction features a durable Black PE outer jacket, non-metallic GRP rod armour and an underlying Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket. Furthermore, its all-dielectric design eliminates metallic armour, helping avoid corrosion, electrical bonding and earthing concerns. Dry water-blocking technology and loose tube construction provide additional protection for industrial, telecommunications, utility and critical infrastructure networks. Available in Singlemode and multimode configurations.
GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable provides two specialised forms of biological protection within one non-metallic cable construction. The RapidConnect® G-Series combines GRP rod armour for rodent protection with a Blue Nylon inner jacket for termite protection. A durable Black PE outer jacket completes the layered protective system.
Rodents and termites create different risks. Therefore, protecting an underground fibre network against both requires more than one material or construction feature. GRP rods form a physical protective layer around the inner cable, while the Blue Nylon jacket provides a dedicated termite-proof barrier beneath the armour.
This engineered construction makes the RapidConnect® G-Series suitable for telecommunications, industrial, utility, transport, mining, campus and other infrastructure networks where biological attack could threaten long-term cable reliability.
Furthermore, the GRP armour contains no metal. Consequently, the G-Series provides a non-conductive and corrosion-resistant alternative to conventional metallic armoured fibre cable. Network owners can therefore gain strong physical protection without introducing steel armour into the cable pathway.
When a project requires combined rodent-proof and termite-proof fibre infrastructure, the RapidConnect® G-Series delivers a purpose-built solution.
The RapidConnect® G-Series provides a layered protection system for demanding outdoor and underground fibre networks.
Key benefits include:
Together, these features make the G-Series more than a standard outdoor fibre optic cable. Instead, it provides an integrated infrastructure cable for environments where rodents, termites, moisture, electrical conditions and long-term network reliability must all form part of the specification.
GRP stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic. Manufacturers create GRP by combining glass reinforcement with a polymer resin system. The resulting material provides high mechanical strength while remaining non-metallic and electrically non-conductive.
In the RapidConnect® G-Series, multiple GRP rods surround the inner Blue Nylon-jacketed cable. These rods create a protective armour layer between the Black PE outer jacket and the inner cable construction.
This arrangement serves an important purpose. If rodents attack the external Black PE sheath, they encounter the underlying GRP rods before reaching the Blue Nylon jacket and optical core. Therefore, the GRP layer creates a strong physical barrier around the vulnerable internal components.
Traditional armoured cable commonly uses steel tape, corrugated steel or steel wire. Although these materials can provide substantial mechanical protection, they also introduce metal into the cable. As a result, designers may need to consider electrical continuity, bonding, earthing, lightning exposure, corrosion and separation from power infrastructure.
GRP takes a different approach.
Because GRP contains no conductive metal, it provides mechanical protection without turning the cable into a conductive pathway. Consequently, engineers can specify an armoured fibre cable while retaining the electrical advantages commonly associated with all-dielectric fibre infrastructure.
GRP armour does not make every cable universally suitable for every application. However, it provides a valuable combination of strength, corrosion resistance, electrical isolation and biological protection for appropriately designed underground networks.
The performance of an armoured fibre optic cable depends on how its protective layers work together. Therefore, understanding the construction sequence is critical.
From outside to inside, the RapidConnect® G-Series incorporates:
Each layer performs a different role. Moreover, the sequence matters because each protective component responds to a different infrastructure risk.
The Black PE jacket forms the external surface of the finished cable. It protects the underlying GRP rods and internal components during transportation, hauling, installation and service.
Polyethylene is widely used for outdoor telecommunications cable because it offers a practical combination of toughness, flexibility and moisture resistance. The Black PE sheath also creates a smooth external surface, which assists cable handling and pulling through suitable pathways.
However, the Black PE jacket is not the rodent armour or the termite barrier. Instead, it forms the outer environmental and mechanical sheath within a multilayer cable system.
This distinction is important. A standard PE-jacketed cable does not automatically provide the biological protection of the G-Series. The combined GRP and Blue Nylon layers beneath the PE jacket create the specialised rodent-proof and termite-proof performance.
Directly beneath the Black PE jacket, GRP rods surround the cable.
These rods form the non-metallic armour system. Their position between the outer PE jacket and the Blue Nylon inner jacket allows them to intercept rodent attack before it reaches the protected cable core.
Unlike a thin coating or chemical deterrent, the GRP armour provides a physical protective structure. Consequently, its performance does not depend solely on the rodent disliking the taste or smell of the cable. The GRP rods create a hard mechanical layer around the underlying construction.
At the same time, the rods remain non-conductive. Therefore, the cable retains an all-dielectric design and avoids the electrical characteristics associated with steel armour.
Beneath the GRP rods sits the Blue Nylon jacket.
This layer provides the cable’s dedicated termite protection. Although it is not the external jacket of the completed G-Series cable, it surrounds and protects the inner loose tube construction from termite attack.
Its location beneath the GRP armour creates a valuable second line of biological protection. The GRP rods address rodents, while the Blue Nylon jacket addresses termites.
Blue also provides visual identification during cable preparation. Once technicians remove the Black PE outer jacket and GRP armour, the contrasting Blue Nylon layer helps them recognise the transition to the protected inner cable.
The Blue Nylon jacket must not be confused with the outer PE sheath. In the G-Series construction, the PE jacket remains external, the GRP rods sit beneath it, and the Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket sits beneath the GRP layer.
Inside the Blue Nylon jacket, the loose tube cable structure protects the optical fibres.
Loose tube construction allows the fibres to sit within protective buffer tubes rather than bonding them directly to the outer cable layers. Consequently, external mechanical and temperature-related forces have less direct influence on the optical fibres.
Depending on the selected design, the cable core can include optical fibres, PBT buffer tubes, strength elements, water-blocking components and other supporting materials. Anderson Corporation can then configure the required fibre category and fibre count according to the project specification.
Together, the four principal construction levels create a coordinated protection system rather than relying on one jacket or armour material to perform every function.
Rodent damage represents a genuine infrastructure risk in many outdoor, underground and industrial environments.
Rats, mice and other rodents continually gnaw to manage the growth and condition of their teeth. Unfortunately, telecommunications cables may become targets when they pass through areas where rodents live, travel or search for nesting material.
Underground pits, service tunnels, utility corridors, industrial buildings, railway infrastructure, storage areas and agricultural facilities can all provide suitable rodent habitats. In addition, cable routes often create protected pathways that animals can follow.
A rodent does not need to consume the cable for damage to occur. Instead, repeated biting can breach the outer jacket and expose the internal components.
Once the sheath becomes compromised, several secondary problems can develop:
Therefore, the cost of rodent damage extends well beyond replacing a section of cable. Network owners may also face fault-finding, civil work, traffic management, production downtime, customer disruption and emergency restoration costs.
A purpose-built Rodent Proof Fibre Optic Cable helps address the risk at the cable-selection stage rather than waiting for damage to occur.
The G-Series uses GRP rods to establish a physical armour layer around the inner cable.
If a rodent damages the Black PE outer jacket, the GRP rods create a mechanically resistant barrier before the animal can reach the Blue Nylon jacket and loose tube core. Therefore, the protective strategy does not depend on the PE jacket alone.
The arrangement of rods around the cable also provides circumferential protection. In other words, the armour protects the core from multiple directions rather than reinforcing only one side of the cable.
This design offers several important advantages:
Nevertheless, engineers should still consider the complete installation environment. Rodent-proof cable forms one element of a broader risk-control strategy. Pathway integrity, pit condition, entry sealing, cable management and ongoing inspection also influence network reliability.
For high-risk projects, Anderson Corporation can review the pathway, installation method, fibre requirements and environmental conditions before confirming the final G-Series configuration.
Rodents and termites attack cable differently. Consequently, GRP armour and Blue Nylon perform different protective roles.
The Blue Nylon jacket beneath the GRP rods forms the G-Series termite-proof layer. This construction helps protect the internal cable if termites enter the pathway or encounter the cable beneath the ground.
Termite activity can be difficult to detect because it often occurs away from visible cable sections. Underground conduits, pits and other protected spaces may create pathways in which insects can move without immediate detection.
If termites breach a conventional cable jacket, they can expose internal materials and create pathways for moisture. Therefore, even limited biological damage can compromise long-term cable performance.
The G-Series addresses this risk by retaining a dedicated Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket beneath the rodent armour. As a result, the cable does not sacrifice termite protection when the GRP layer is added.
This construction establishes a clear division of responsibility:
For projects that require termite protection without GRP rodent armour, Anderson Corporation also offers the RapidConnect® TR-Series Mini Loose Tube Fibre Optic Cable. Conversely, where the risk assessment identifies both rodents and termites, the G-Series provides the combined protection system.
Infrastructure specifications often consider rodents and termites as a single biological threat. However, they create different mechanical challenges.
Rodents use strong teeth and repeated gnawing. Therefore, effective rodent protection requires a robust physical barrier.
Termites create a different form of biological attack. Consequently, the G-Series uses its Blue Nylon jacket as the dedicated termite-proof component.
Combining both protection mechanisms within one cable provides several advantages.
First, consultants do not need to choose between rodent protection and termite protection. The G-Series addresses both requirements within one coordinated design.
Second, the cable maintains a non-metallic construction. Therefore, adding rodent armour does not require steel tape or wire.
Third, the protective layers remain clearly defined. The Black PE jacket protects the armour, the GRP rods protect against rodents, and the Blue Nylon jacket protects against termites.
Finally, this layered approach supports long-term infrastructure resilience. If the outer PE sheath experiences localised damage, the underlying GRP and Nylon layers continue to separate the biological threat from the optical cable core.
Optical fibre itself does not conduct electricity. However, adding metallic armour changes the electrical characteristics of the finished cable.
Steel-armoured fibre optic cable may introduce requirements relating to:
These issues do not make metallic armour unsuitable. In fact, steel armour remains appropriate for many projects. Nevertheless, consultants must account for the presence of metal in the cable design.
The G-Series provides a different solution. Because its GRP armour is non-metallic, the cable remains electrically non-conductive.
This all-dielectric construction can provide significant advantages in:
Although every installation must still comply with the applicable standards and project requirements, removing metallic armour simplifies one important part of the electrical risk assessment.
Consequently, the G-Series allows designers to gain armoured biological protection without unnecessarily introducing a conductive cable component.
Metallic armour can corrode when moisture, chemicals, salts or damaged cable jackets expose the metal to an aggressive environment.
Corrosion may not cause immediate optical failure. However, it can progressively reduce armour integrity and shorten the effective service life of the cable.
GRP does not corrode like steel. Therefore, the G-Series provides an important advantage in wet, humid or chemically challenging environments where metallic corrosion could become a long-term concern.
Potential applications include:
The Black PE jacket still performs an important protective role. Nevertheless, the non-metallic GRP armour removes the possibility of rust developing within the armour layer.
This characteristic supports long-term cable durability while reducing one potential failure mechanism from the underground network.
Underground conduits and pits should never be assumed to remain dry.
Groundwater, condensation, damaged seals, flooding and drainage problems can introduce water into cable pathways. Therefore, outdoor fibre cable must manage moisture as part of its normal operating environment.
The RapidConnect® G-Series incorporates dry water-blocking technology within its internal cable construction. Water-blocking materials react when they contact moisture, helping restrict longitudinal water movement through the cable.
This function becomes particularly important if an external sheath is damaged. Without effective water blocking, moisture can travel along the cable and affect areas well beyond the original breach.
Dry water blocking provides practical installation benefits as well. Traditional flooded cable designs may use gels that technicians must remove during termination. In contrast, a dry construction can make cable preparation cleaner and reduce site clean-up.
Benefits include:
However, water blocking should not be confused with permission to leave cable ends unsealed. Installers must protect all exposed ends during storage, hauling, installation and termination. They must also follow the approved cable-entry and enclosure-sealing procedures.
The G-Series uses loose tube construction because outdoor networks expose cables to mechanical and environmental changes throughout their service life.
Within a loose tube cable, optical fibres sit inside protective buffer tubes. This arrangement helps isolate the fibres from forces acting on the outer cable.
Temperature changes, pulling loads, vibration and mechanical movement can affect the finished cable. Therefore, the buffer tubes provide controlled space in which the fibres can remain protected.
Loose tube construction offers several advantages:
Nevertheless, correct handling remains essential. Installers must observe the specified pulling tension, minimum bend radius, crush limits and preparation instructions for the selected G-Series design.
The presence of armour does not make the cable immune to poor installation. Instead, it adds a specialised protective layer within a complete engineered cable system.
The RapidConnect® G-Series suits projects where the consequences of biological damage justify a purpose-built protective construction.
Typical applications include:
Ducts and conduits provide valuable mechanical separation from the surrounding ground. However, they do not automatically prevent rodents or termites from entering the pathway.
Animals may gain access through damaged conduit, open entries, pits, joints or building penetrations. Consequently, cable-level protection can provide an additional defence when biological activity is likely.
Carrier, regional and private telecommunications networks often extend across long distances and difficult-to-access locations. A single damaged cable can affect many users or services.
Therefore, rodent-proof and termite-proof cable can be especially valuable for backbone routes, inter-building links, regional networks and remote communications infrastructure.
Factories, processing facilities, warehouses and industrial sites can provide food, shelter and protected travel paths for rodents.
At the same time, production networks may carry critical control, monitoring, safety and communications services. Cable failure can therefore interrupt more than ordinary data traffic.
The G-Series supports these environments by combining physical biological protection with non-conductive armour.
Mining and resource projects often operate across large areas with demanding environmental and mechanical conditions.
Network availability may support operational technology, communications, monitoring, security and production systems. Therefore, the selected cable must reflect both the installation environment and the consequences of failure.
The all-dielectric G-Series can provide an alternative to metallic armour where rodent and termite protection remain important.
Water, power, transport and other utility networks depend increasingly on fibre communications.
These installations may pass through regional, underground, industrial or electrically sensitive environments. Consequently, the combination of GRP armour, Blue Nylon termite protection and non-conductive construction can provide significant value.
Schools, universities, hospitals, commercial campuses and government facilities frequently use underground fibre links between buildings.
Landscaped areas, service pits and older conduits may provide access for rodents or termites. Therefore, designers should assess biological exposure when selecting inter-building cable.
Agricultural locations commonly combine underground pathways, remote routes, animal activity and limited maintenance access.
A cable failure may require extensive fault location and civil work. Consequently, installing the correct protective cable at the beginning can reduce long-term operational risk.
GRP and steel armour provide different engineering solutions. Therefore, designers should select between them according to the actual project risks.
Steel conducts electricity. Consequently, metallic armour can introduce bonding, earthing and electrical-separation considerations.
GRP remains non-conductive. Therefore, the G-Series retains an all-dielectric construction.
Steel can corrode if moisture or aggressive substances reach the armour.
GRP does not rust. As a result, it offers an advantage in wet, humid and corrosive environments.
Steel armour can add substantial weight and stiffness.
GRP can create a smaller, lighter and more flexible armoured construction. Consequently, installation and handling may become easier, depending on the final cable design.
Both systems can contribute to rodent protection when manufacturers design them correctly.
However, the G-Series achieves this objective without introducing metal. Therefore, it suits projects that require both biological protection and electrical isolation.
Steel armour may remain appropriate where a project specifically requires metallic mechanical protection or a defined steel-armoured construction.
Conversely, the G-Series suits projects where non-metallic rodent protection, termite protection, corrosion resistance and all-dielectric performance provide greater value.
Neither material should be selected from a generic preference. Instead, consultants should evaluate the pathway, environmental exposure, installation method, electrical setting and mechanical requirements together.
The RapidConnect® G-Series and TR-Series address related but different infrastructure requirements.
The TR-Series is Anderson Corporation’s Termite Proof Mini Loose Tube Fibre Optic Cable. It uses a premium Blue PA12 Nylon outer jacket and provides a compact cable for outdoor duct and conduit networks.
The G-Series adds a dedicated rodent-proof armour system.
Its construction includes:
Therefore, the selection principle is straightforward:
The G-Series should not be treated simply as a larger version of the TR-Series. Instead, it represents a separate armoured platform designed for networks with an identified rodent risk.
Choosing an armoured fibre optic cable involves more than nominating a fibre count.
Consultants, contractors and network owners should evaluate the complete installation before confirming the final construction.
Key considerations include:
Determine whether rodents, termites or both present a credible threat.
Previous cable damage, pest reports, site conditions and surrounding land use can help inform the assessment.
Confirm whether the cable will run through ducts, conduits, pits, service tunnels, industrial pathways or other infrastructure.
Do not assume that one cable construction suits every underground installation method. Anderson Corporation should confirm the final cable against the project specification.
Select the appropriate Singlemode or multimode optical fibre according to the network distance, application and active equipment.
Allow for current services, redundancy, future expansion and spare capacity.
Installing additional fibres during the original project often costs substantially less than adding another cable later.
Review pulling tension, crush resistance, impact exposure, bend radius and handling conditions.
The final values must come from the selected product configuration and current G-Series datasheet.
Consider moisture, flooding, temperature, chemicals, ultraviolet exposure at transitions and the likelihood of damage to pits or conduits.
Determine whether an all-dielectric cable provides an advantage near power infrastructure, substations, industrial equipment or locations with different earth potentials.
Confirm how the cable will enter enclosures, how technicians will remove the PE and GRP layers, and how the internal fibres will be spliced or terminated.
Plan cable lengths around route measurements, pulling sections, joint locations, transport access and site storage.
The G-Series is manufactured to order and has a minimum order quantity of 2,000 metres. Therefore, early planning helps align production, drum allocation and project delivery.
Correct installation protects the cable and ensures that each engineered layer can perform as intended.
Before installation, the contractor should confirm:
During pulling, installers must apply force through the approved strength members or hauling arrangement. They should never exceed the specified tensile load or bend the cable more tightly than permitted.
Likewise, the cable should not drag across sharp edges. Rollers, guides and suitable lubricants may assist installation where approved.
Technicians must use the correct tools when removing the Black PE outer jacket and GRP rods. Uncontrolled cutting can damage the underlying Blue Nylon jacket. Because that Blue Nylon layer provides termite protection, installers should preserve its integrity wherever it remains part of the installed cable.
At termination points, the contractor should secure the cable correctly and manage the transition from the armoured cable to the exposed loose tube components. The finished enclosure must also accommodate the cable diameter, gland arrangement, bend radius and internal fibre management.
Finally, installers should seal cable ends throughout the process. Dry water-blocking technology helps restrict moisture migration, but it does not replace correct end sealing or enclosure preparation.
A professional fibre installation requires both mechanical inspection and optical testing.
Before commissioning, contractors should inspect:
Optical testing should then confirm that the completed link meets the project requirements.
Depending on the installation, testing may include:
Testing establishes the initial performance baseline. Consequently, network owners can compare future results against the commissioning record if damage or degradation is suspected.
Contractors should retain test files, route plans, drum details, fibre allocation records and photographs as part of the final project documentation.
Cable represents only one part of an underground fibre project. Civil construction, labour, traffic management, pits, conduits, enclosures, splicing and testing often account for a much larger share of the total cost.
Therefore, selecting cable purely on its initial metre price can create a false economy.
If biological attack causes failure, the owner may need to:
These costs can substantially exceed the original difference between standard cable and purpose-built rodent-proof infrastructure cable.
The G-Series addresses this whole-of-life risk. Its GRP armour protects against rodents, its Blue Nylon jacket protects against termites, and its dry water-blocking system helps restrict moisture migration.
Furthermore, the non-metallic construction removes corrosion and electrical considerations associated with steel armour.
For critical, remote or difficult-to-access routes, these benefits can provide significant long-term value.
Eligible G-Series installations can form part of the RapidConnect® 25 Year Enterprise Cabling Infrastructure System Warranty.
Warranty eligibility depends on the complete cabling system, approved products, installer requirements, testing, documentation and the applicable warranty terms. Therefore, project teams should confirm the warranty pathway before installation begins.
A system warranty differs from treating the cable as an isolated component. Fibre cable, connectivity, enclosures, workmanship and test performance must operate together to create a reliable network.
Anderson Corporation can assist contractors and network owners with product selection, documentation and warranty requirements during the project-planning stage.
Choosing the right GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable involves far more than selecting a fibre type and fibre count. Instead, successful underground fibre networks require an understanding of biological threats, cable construction, armour materials, water blocking, mechanical performance, electrical environment, installation pathway and long-term infrastructure reliability.
That is why Anderson Corporation is developing one of Australia’s most comprehensive knowledge centres dedicated to GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable and non-metallic protected fibre infrastructure.
Whether you are designing an industrial communications network, extending telecommunications infrastructure, connecting buildings across a campus or planning fibre routes through rodent-prone and termite-prone environments, our technical articles will help you make informed engineering and specification decisions.
Furthermore, as the GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable Knowledge Centre continues to grow, you will find practical guidance covering every stage of cable selection, specification, installation and lifecycle management.
If you are new to GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable, these guides will explain the engineering principles behind modern non-metallic armoured fibre systems.
You will learn what Glass Reinforced Plastic is, how GRP rods protect the internal cable and why the armour sits between the Black PE outer jacket and the Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket.
The guides will also explain how the complete G-Series construction differs from standard PE-jacketed cable, metallic armoured cable and unarmoured Mini Loose Tube designs.
Moreover, these resources will explore why rodent protection requires a physical barrier rather than relying solely on the external cable jacket.
Rodents and termites create different threats to fibre optic cable. Therefore, the G-Series uses separate protective layers to address each risk.
The GRP rods form the dedicated rodent-proof armour system. Meanwhile, the Blue Nylon jacket beneath the GRP layer provides the cable’s termite-proof barrier.
Our Rodent and Termite Protection guides will explain why rodents gnaw telecommunications cables, how termites can compromise conventional cable jackets and what can happen after biological attack breaches the cable structure.
Furthermore, these articles will examine how the G-Series layered construction protects the optical cable core:
These resources will also help consultants and network owners assess biological exposure across underground pits, conduits, industrial facilities, regional networks and other infrastructure pathways.
Armour forms only one part of a complete fibre optic cable design.
Consequently, our Mechanical Protection and Cable Performance guides will examine crush resistance, impact resistance, tensile performance, minimum bend radius, cable diameter and the mechanical forces that can affect an underground fibre installation.
These articles will explain how GRP rods create a protective barrier around the cable core while maintaining a non-metallic construction.
However, they will also explain why armoured cable still requires correct handling. GRP protection does not permit installers to exceed the cable’s pulling tension, crush rating or minimum bend radius.
Instead, cable armour, strength elements, loose tube construction and installation practices must work together.
Accordingly, these resources will help engineers interpret technical data and understand how mechanical ratings relate to real-world pathway conditions.
The non-metallic construction of GRP armour creates important differences between the G-Series and conventional steel-armoured fibre cable.
For this reason, our All-Dielectric and Corrosion-Resistant Design guides will examine electrical conductivity, bonding, earthing, induced voltage, lightning exposure and corrosion.
These resources will explain why GRP can provide mechanical protection without introducing a conductive metallic pathway into the cable.
Furthermore, they will explore why this characteristic can be valuable near power infrastructure, substations, industrial equipment and sites with different earth potentials.
The guides will also examine corrosion resistance in wet, humid, coastal and chemically challenging environments.
However, all-dielectric construction does not make every cable suitable for every electrical installation. Therefore, project engineers must still assess the complete route, surrounding infrastructure and applicable installation requirements.
Articles Coming Soon
Before purchasing a GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable, it is important to understand the biological, optical, mechanical and environmental requirements of the proposed route.
Accordingly, our Procurement and Specification guides will explain how to assess rodent and termite exposure, select the required fibre category, determine fibre count and evaluate the intended installation pathway.
These resources will also explore how to compare GRP armoured cable specifications, interpret mechanical ratings and identify the information that should appear in a professional underground fibre cable specification.
Key considerations will include:
Ultimately, the objective is to move beyond simply asking how many fibres and how many metres are required.
Instead, these guides will help customers specify the complete protected fibre cable system that the route demands.
Articles Coming Soon
Even a premium GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable requires correct installation.
Consequently, our Underground Installation Guides will focus on practical field considerations that help contractors protect the Black PE jacket, GRP armour, Blue Nylon jacket and internal loose tube core.
Topics will include drum handling, cable hauling, pulling tension, minimum bend radius, cable lubrication, pit management, conduit entry, cable preparation and enclosure installation.
Furthermore, these resources will explain how technicians should remove the Black PE outer jacket and prepare the GRP rods without damaging the underlying Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket.
The guides will also examine cable-end sealing, water management, service loops, glands, supports and the transition from the armoured cable into splice enclosures and termination equipment.
As a result, contractors will gain practical guidance for protecting both the mechanical construction and optical performance of the cable during installation.
Articles Coming Soon
Sometimes selecting the correct protected fibre cable requires a clear understanding of the alternatives.
Therefore, our Cable Comparison Guides will explain the engineering differences between GRP Armoured Rodent Proof Fibre Optic Cable and other cable systems used across telecommunications, industrial and underground infrastructure.
These articles will examine subjects such as:
Each comparison will focus on construction, biological protection, electrical characteristics, mechanical performance, installation requirements and application suitability.
Consequently, consultants, contractors and network owners will be better equipped to select the cable system that matches the actual risks of the route.
Underground fibre networks can experience premature failure when cable construction, pathway conditions or installation practices do not match the operating environment.
Rather than focusing only on the visible fault, understanding the underlying cause can help prevent the same problem from occurring elsewhere across the network.
For this reason, our Underground Network Problem Solving articles will examine rodent damage, termite attack, moisture migration, excessive pulling tension, crushing, incorrect bend radius, damaged cable entries and unsuitable cable selection.
Additionally, these resources will explain how external sheath damage can lead to secondary problems within the cable.
For example, a breached jacket may allow moisture to enter, expose the armour or compromise the internal cable structure. Therefore, early inspection and correct fault diagnosis can help network owners determine whether the problem remains localised or affects a larger section of the route.
These guides will also examine common installation mistakes and the engineering practices that can reduce the risk of future cable failure.
Underground ducts, conduits and pits should never be assumed to remain completely dry.
Groundwater, condensation, flooding, damaged seals and drainage problems can expose fibre optic cable to moisture throughout its operational life.
Accordingly, our Moisture Protection and Water Blocking guides will explain how dry water-blocking technology helps restrict longitudinal water migration within the G-Series cable.
These articles will also distinguish between water blocking, water resistance and correct installation sealing.
Although water-blocking materials can help limit moisture movement, they do not eliminate the need to seal cable ends, enclosure entries and pathway penetrations.
Furthermore, the guides will explore the relationship between rodent damage, termite damage and water entry. Biological attack can breach protective layers and create a pathway through which moisture reaches the internal cable.
Therefore, underground biological protection and moisture management should form part of the same infrastructure risk assessment.
Articles Coming Soon
GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable forms part of long-life communications infrastructure.
Therefore, network owners should consider lifecycle performance alongside the initial cable and installation cost.
Our Lifecycle and Infrastructure Reliability guides will examine cable ageing, pathway inspection, biological exposure, moisture, corrosion, maintenance and the factors that influence long-term underground network performance.
Furthermore, these articles will explore how non-metallic armour eliminates the risk of steel corrosion while providing a physical barrier against rodent attack.
The guides will also explain how correct cable selection, installation, testing, documentation and ongoing asset management can help organisations maximise infrastructure service life.
For difficult-to-access, remote or operationally critical routes, avoiding one premature cable replacement can provide substantial whole-of-life value.
Articles Coming Soon
Every infrastructure sector presents different underground network risks.
For example, industrial facilities may provide sheltered pathways and food sources for rodents. Meanwhile, regional telecommunications routes may pass through termite-prone ground and locations with limited maintenance access.
Similarly, utilities must consider electrical environments, while mining and resource projects may require reliable communications across large and operationally demanding sites.
Accordingly, our Industry and Infrastructure Application guides will explore how RapidConnect® G-Series GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable can support a broad range of Australian projects.
Each guide will examine the biological, mechanical, electrical and environmental considerations relevant to the sector.
As a result, project teams will gain practical guidance for determining where combined rodent-proof and termite-proof fibre cable provides the greatest infrastructure value.
GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable uses Glass Reinforced Plastic rods to create a non-metallic physical barrier around the protected fibre cable core. The RapidConnect® G-Series also incorporates a Blue Nylon jacket for termite protection and a Black PE external jacket.
From outside to inside, the G-Series uses a Black PE outer jacket, GRP armour rods, a Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket and the internal loose tube cable core.
The GRP rods provide the dedicated rodent-proof armour. They surround the Blue Nylon-jacketed inner cable beneath the Black PE outer sheath.
The Blue Nylon jacket beneath the GRP rods provides termite protection. It forms a separate protective barrier around the internal loose tube cable.
No. The Black PE jacket is the external jacket of the finished G-Series cable. The Blue Nylon jacket sits beneath the GRP armour rods.
No. GRP is a non-metallic composite material. Therefore, it provides mechanical protection without introducing conductive steel armour.
Yes. Its non-metallic construction allows the G-Series to retain the electrical advantages of an all-dielectric fibre optic cable.
The GRP armour itself is non-conductive and does not require earthing in the way metallic armour may. However, designers and installers must still assess the complete installation against applicable electrical and telecommunications requirements.
GRP does not rust like steel. Therefore, it provides an advantage in wet, humid or corrosive environments where metallic armour deterioration could become a concern.
Yes. The G-Series combines GRP rodent-proof armour with a Blue Nylon termite-proof jacket.
The TR-Series provides Termite Proof Mini Loose Tube Fibre Optic Cable for outdoor duct and conduit networks. The G-Series adds GRP rod armour and therefore provides combined rodent-proof and termite-proof protection.
The Black PE jacket provides the external environmental and mechanical sheath. However, the underlying GRP rods form the dedicated rodent armour.
Yes. The G-Series uses dry water-blocking technology to help restrict longitudinal water migration if moisture enters the cable.
No. Water blocking helps restrict water movement within the cable. Installers must still seal cable ends, glands, entries and enclosures correctly.
The G-Series is designed for underground infrastructure applications, including suitable duct and conduit networks. However, Anderson Corporation should confirm the exact construction against the intended installation method and project specification.
Do not assume direct-burial suitability solely because a cable has GRP armour and a PE jacket. The project team must confirm the required installation method and obtain written confirmation that the selected construction meets that requirement.
The G-Series can be manufactured with suitable Singlemode or multimode optical fibre options. Final availability should be confirmed against the project’s transmission and equipment requirements.
Multiple fibre counts can be manufactured according to project requirements. Anderson Corporation can confirm the appropriate configuration, cable dimensions and current technical data during quotation.
GRP can provide a smaller, lighter and more flexible construction than many comparable steel-armoured designs. However, the final weight and diameter depend on the selected fibre count and cable configuration.
Typical applications include telecommunications, utilities, mining, transport, industrial facilities, campuses, regional infrastructure and other networks exposed to rodents or termites.
Conduit can reduce exposure, but rodents may enter through damaged sections, open ends, pits, joints or penetrations. Therefore, high-risk pathways may benefit from cable-level protection as well.
No. Installers must still follow the specified pulling tension, bend radius, crush limit, preparation procedure and sealing requirements.
Technicians remove the required length of outer PE jacket and GRP armour when preparing the cable for termination. However, they must use the approved method and avoid damaging the underlying Blue Nylon jacket or internal components.
The current product page identifies a minimum order quantity of 2,000 metres. Project requirements, drum lengths, production lead time and delivery arrangements should be confirmed during quotation.
Eligible G-Series installations can form part of the RapidConnect® 25 Year Enterprise Cabling Infrastructure System Warranty when the complete system and installation satisfy the applicable requirements.
Rodent and termite damage can transform a small cable vulnerability into a major infrastructure failure.
Once the cable is installed, upgrading its biological protection can require replacement, additional civil work and network disruption. Therefore, consultants and network owners should assess these risks during the original design stage.
The RapidConnect® G-Series provides a purpose-built response.
Its Black PE outer jacket protects the finished cable. Beneath that jacket, GRP rods create a non-metallic rodent-proof armour layer. A Blue Nylon jacket then provides termite-proof protection around the internal loose tube cable.
Together, these layers provide:
Whether the project involves telecommunications, mining, industrial facilities, utilities, transport, campuses or regional infrastructure, Anderson Corporation can help determine whether the G-Series suits the route.
Before ordering, provide the proposed installation method, route length, fibre category, fibre count, drum requirements, environmental conditions and required delivery date. Our team can then review the application and recommend the correct configuration.
For technical assistance or project pricing, request a Rapid Quote or contact Anderson Corporation on (03) 9761 7600.
Choose RapidConnect® G-Series when your fibre infrastructure requires the combined protection of a GRP Armoured Fibre Optic Cable and a dedicated Blue Nylon termite-proof barrier.
Likewise, check out the official Anderson Corporation YouTube Channel for more Fibre Optic Information!
