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Fiber Optic Tubing & Furcation Tubing

Shop fiber optic tubing, furcation tubing and bare optical fiber for cable assembly, breakout and connector termination. Browse protective tubing and specialty bare fiber products for telecom, OEM manufacturing, laboratory and custom fiber applications.

Fiber Optic Tubing for Protection, Routing and Connector Termination
 

Fiber optic tubing is used to protect, organize and route optical fiber during cable manufacturing, connector termination, testing and custom assembly work. It can help build up delicate bare or buffered fiber into a construction that is easier to handle, identify and install.
 

The appropriate tubing depends on the fiber coating or buffer diameter, required outer diameter, connector design, strength-member requirements and installation environment. A tube intended for 250 µm coated fiber may have different internal dimensions and construction than tubing designed for 900 µm buffered fiber.
 

Fiber optic protective tubing can be used for patch cables, pigtails, breakout assemblies, fanout assemblies, laboratory setups, equipment wiring and OEM fiber products. Depending on the application, the construction may include an inner protective tube, aramid yarn or another strength member, and an outer jacket.
 

Furcation tubing is also sometimes described as fiber optic jacketing because it adds an additional protective layer around the optical fiber. The exact construction varies by product, so buyers should compare the inner diameter, outer diameter, jacket rating and supported fiber size before ordering.

Fiber Optic Furcation Tubing for Cable Assembly
 
Fiber optic furcation tubing helps convert delicate optical fiber into a more manageable construction for routing and connectorization. It is commonly used to protect 250 µm coated fiber or 900 µm buffered fiber and can provide additional mechanical support during assembly.
 
Precision Fiber Products offers fiber furcation tubing in several sizes and constructions, including simplex and duplex options. Available products include 900 µm tubing for 250 µm fiber, 1.6 mm duplex tubing, 2 mm tubing and 3 mm simplex tubing.
 
Some PFP constructions include Kevlar or other aramid strength members to provide reinforcement and support connector strain relief. LSZH and riser-rated options are also available for applicable products and installation requirements.
 
The tubing size alone does not determine compatibility. Always verify the tubing’s inner diameter, the fiber or buffer outside diameter, connector boot, crimp sleeve and termination procedure.

900 Micron Furcation Tubing for 250 Micron Fiber
 
PFP offers 900 micron furcation tubing designed for use with 250 µm fiber. This compact construction provides additional protection while maintaining a smaller overall diameter than larger reinforced tubing.
 
Before selecting 900 µm furcation tubing, confirm that the tubing’s inner diameter is appropriate for the coated fiber. The tubing should allow controlled fiber insertion without creating excessive friction, compression or bending.
 
Compact 900 µm tubing may be useful for fiber routing, connector termination and assemblies where space and flexibility are important.

1.6 mm Duplex and 2 mm Furcation Tubing
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Duplex tubing supports two-fiber constructions used in patch cables, equipment connections and other transmit-and-receive applications. PFP offers 1.6 mm duplex furcation tubing for 250 µm fiber, including applicable riser-rated and LSZH constructions.
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PFP also offers 2 mm furcation tubing and 2 mm duplex zipcord tubing for 250 µm bare fiber. Some 2 mm products include Kevlar reinforcement for additional strength and connector support.
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When selecting duplex or zip tubing, confirm whether the construction can be separated, the dimensions of each leg and the connector hardware required for termination.

Fiber Optic Breakout Tubing and Fanout Applications
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Fiber optic breakout tubing is used when individual fibers must be separated, protected and routed away from a larger cable or fiber group. It can help organize fibers for connector termination, equipment routing, patch-panel installation and custom cable manufacturing.
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The terms “furcation tubing” and “breakout tubing” are sometimes used interchangeably, but manufacturers may define them differently. Some products use a simple protective tube, while reinforced breakout tubing may include an inner tube, aramid yarn and an outer jacket.
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Fiber optic fanout tubing performs a similar protective function when individual fibers from a multifiber cable or bundle are routed toward separate termination points. The required construction depends on fiber count, fiber coating, routing space, connector type and mechanical requirements.
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When building fiber optic fanout assemblies, choose tubing that protects the individual fibers without creating an inappropriate bend radius or excessive insertion force.

How to Choose the Right Fiber Optic Tubing
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Consider the following before selecting furcation or breakout tubing:
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  • Fiber diameter: Determine whether the tubing will contain 250 µm coated fiber, 900 µm buffered fiber or another construction.

  • Inner diameter: The tubing ID must provide enough clearance for controlled fiber insertion.

  • Outer diameter: Match the tubing OD to the connector boot, crimp sleeve, enclosure opening or routing space.

  • Simplex or duplex: Choose an individual tube, duplex tube or zipcord construction based on the number of fibers.

  • Strength members: Determine whether the assembly requires Kevlar or aramid yarn for reinforcement and connector strain relief.

  • Jacket rating: Confirm whether the application requires riser-rated, LSZH or another specified jacket construction.

  • Connector compatibility: Verify the tubing, boot, crimp hardware and connector termination procedure as a complete system.

  • Bend radius: Do not route the tubing more tightly than the limits of the enclosed fiber and complete assembly.

  • Application environment: Consider installation location, temperature, handling, equipment routing and regulatory requirements.

  • Fiber insertion: Longer assemblies or tighter tubing may require a controlled insertion procedure or a product designed to assist fiber installation.

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Do not select tubing solely by its outside diameter. Two products with the same OD may have different inner dimensions, strength members, jacket materials and supported fiber sizes.

Bare Optical Fiber for Assembly, Splicing and Testing
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Bare optical fiber is used in connector termination, fusion splicing, component manufacturing, laboratory testing, sensing, prototyping and specialty fiber assemblies. PFP offers single-mode, multimode, photosensitive, reduced-cladding and other specialty bare fiber products for different wavelengths and optical requirements.
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Bare fiber should be selected according to wavelength, mode-field characteristics, numerical aperture, cladding diameter, coating, cutoff requirements and intended application. It must also be handled with appropriate stripping, cleaning, cleaving, splicing and inspection equipment.
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When additional protection is required, compatible furcation tubing can help route or build up the bare fiber for connectorization and cable assembly.

Applications for Fiber Optic Tubing
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Fiber optic tubing and furcation products can support:
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  • Patch cable and pigtail assembly

  • Fiber optic connector termination

  • Bare fiber protection and routing

  • Simplex and duplex cable construction

  • Fiber breakout and fanout assemblies

  • Laboratory and test equipment connections

  • OEM fiber optic product manufacturing

  • Equipment and enclosure fiber management

  • Network maintenance and cable repair

  • Custom fiber optic assembly projects

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The appropriate tubing should be selected for the actual fiber, connector, cable construction and operating environment.

Fiber Optic Tubing FAQ

  • Fiber optic furcation tubing is protective tubing used to build up, route and organize bare or buffered optical fiber. Depending on its construction, it may include an inner tube, strength members and an outer jacket. It is commonly used for cable assembly, breakout, fanout and connector termination.

  • The terminology varies between manufacturers. Furcation tubing may refer to a simple protective tube or a reinforced construction. Breakout tubing generally protects an individual fiber separated from a larger cable or fiber group. Always compare the actual inner tube, strength members, jacket and dimensions instead of relying only on the product name.

  • Compatible sizes can include 900 µm, 1.6 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm constructions, depending on the assembly. PFP offers 900 µm tubing specifically identified for 250 µm fiber, along with larger simplex and duplex products. Confirm the tubing ID, connector hardware and required strength before selection.

  • Some reinforced furcation tubing includes Kevlar or another aramid yarn to provide strength and connector strain relief, while other products use only a protective tube. Review the individual product construction before assuming that a strength member is included.

  • No. Furcation tubing is one component used to protect an individual fiber. Fiber optic breakout kits may combine tubing with a transition housing, retention hardware, heat-shrink components or other parts used to separate multiple fibers from a cable. Kit contents vary by design and manufacturer.

  • LSZH tubing is designed to limit smoke and halogen emissions when exposed to fire. Riser-rated products are designed for applicable vertical building pathways under the specified rating. The correct selection depends on installation requirements, local regulations and the complete product certification.

  • Yes, but the tubing must be selected for the specific fiber diameter. A product designed for 250 µm coated fiber may not fit 900 µm buffered fiber. Verify the tubing’s inner diameter and supported fiber construction before insertion.

Find the Right Fiber Optic Tubing for Your Assembly

Browse the categories above to compare bare optical fiber and furcation tubing by construction, size and application. For help identifying compatible tubing, contact Precision Fiber Products with the fiber diameter, required tubing dimensions, connector type, jacket rating and assembly requirements.

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