Trying to choose between cables built with Cleerline SSF and Cleerline BendSafe? The below chart tackles common considerations when choosing a construction.
| Cleerline SSF | Cleerline BendSafe | |
| I am new to fiber. | SSF offers the easiest installation experience for technicians that are new to fiber. Its patented construction literally allows "hands-on" cable preparation without the worry of glass shards. | |
| I need the most cost-effective cable. | Cables built with BendSafe tend to be lower priced than their SSF equivalents. | |
| I need the most durable cable. | SSF is much more durable than BendSafe -- in fact, it's one of the most durable options in the industry. SSF provides a 30% superior flex rating and impact rating over BendSafe. | |
| I am fusion splicing my connections. | SSF supports fusion splicing; however, you need to strip the polymer with a Tri-Hole Stripper. The process takes slightly longer than with BendSafe. | BendSafe provides a faster out-of-the-box fusion splicing experience -- the process is identical to traditional bend-insensitive cable. |
| I am terminating my connections with mechanical connectors. | SSF provides a superior installation experience when using mechanical connectors. The process is easier and the overall termination loss is less thanks to SSF's more durable strand construction. | |
| I am pulling cable and have limited space in my conduit and pipe. | Cables built with SSF are up to 50% smaller in diameter than their BendSafe equivalents. SSF cables provide 250µm micro-distribution constructions without sacrificing strength and durability. | |
| I am installing fiber and have limited space in my enclosure and wall box. | Cables built with SSF support a 2.2mm bend radius compared to BendSafe's 3.0mm bend radius. They support coiling in my tighter spaces. | |
| My rack is crowded and I'm worried about heat dissipation. | Patch cords built with SSF support 1.2mm micro-diameter constructions without sacrificing strength and durability -- that's up to 60% more space for airflow in a crowded rack. | |
| My cable is outside and I'm worried about performance in hot and cold temperatures. | Cables built with SSF support a much wider temperature rating -- it's common to see cables rated for -75 to 158°F (depending on the cable construction, of course). | |
| My cable is in a wet location and I'm worried about cable degradation. | SSF provides much better protection against water and humidity -- two of the leading causes of micro-fracture cable degradation. SSF's patented polymer-coated construction keeps water and humidity away from the optical strand. | |
| I'm integrating my cable with fiber products from other manufacturers. | Both SSF and BendSafe are compatible with leading fiber cabling, connectivity and cable management products. |
Both SSF and BendSafe are compatible with leading fiber cabling, connectivity and cable management products. |