OFNP, OFNR, OFNG, OFCG and OFCP: How to Choose?

Depending on the application, the fiber cable jacket consists of different materials. In the United States, the plastic used to build inflatable cables is managed following NFPA 90A: “Installation Criteria for Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems.” All materials intended for wires and cables placed in vented spaces are designed to meet the requirements outlined in NFPA 262 and NFPA 90A to meet stringent fire test standards. The following is a cable jacket rating list: 

OFNP

OFNP stands for Fiber Optic Non-Conductivity Plenum. OFNP fiber cables are fire and smoke resistant. They can be installed in pipes, plenums, and other spaces for building gas streams. This is the highest level of fire-rated cable; no other cable can be used as a substitute. 

OFCP

OFCP stands for Fiber Conductive Plenum. Conductive cables are used in ducts, plenums, and other spaces for environmental air. They contain non-current-carrying conductive members such as metal strength and metallic vapor barriers. 

OFNR

OFNR stands for Optical Fiber Nonconductive Riser. OFNR fiber cables are used in Riser areas, which are building vertical shafts or running from one floor to another. OFNR fiber cables cannot be installed in the ventilation area because they do not have the fire and smoke ratings required by plenum-rated cables. OFNP plenum cables can be used as an alternative to OFNR fiber cables. 

OFCR

OFCR stands for fiber optic conductive riser. A factory assembly of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and containing non–current-carrying conductive members such as metallic strength member, metallic vapor barrier, metallic armor or metallic sheath. 

OFCG

OFNG on behalf of Optical Fiber Conductive General-Purpose. They have the same fire retardant properties as OFNG cables but have a conductive armor or central strength member, typically steel. The OFCG cable should be properly grounded at both ends. It should not be installed in the same cable tray or conduit as the power cable. 

OFNG

 OFNG on behalf of Optical Fiber Nonconductive General-Purpose. They are usually used for horizontal wiring and single-layer applications. OFNG cables cannot be used for plenums or risers. OFNP and OFNR cables can be used as an alternative to OFNG cables. 

OFN 

OFN is an Abbreviation for optical fiber nonconductive. OFN is the designation given by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to interior fiber optic cables that contain no electrically conductive components and are not certified for use in Plenum or Riser applications. 

OFC

OFC stands for Optical fiber conductive. OFC is the name of the internal fiber optic cable given by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and contains at least one conductive, current-free component, such as a metal strength component or vapor barrier, instead of a certified Plenum or Riser application. 

Nonconductive cable: No metal part is on the cable, and those with conductivity are not included. 

Conductive cable: There is a conductive part of the cable, but there is no current flowing in that part.