PDK81601-4×2×26AWG Neutrally Buoyant Ethernet Tether Cable

Product overview

This product is a neutrally buoyant Ethernet tether cable designed for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), seabed sensors, marine robots and underwater communication systems. It combines reliable high-speed data transmission with optional Power over Ethernet (PoE), while maintaining accurate neutral buoyancy in seawater together with flexibility, corrosion resistance and mechanical durability.

Model

PDK81601-4*2*26AWG

Specification

4*2*26AWG

Conductor material

Bare copper

Insulation material

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

Sheath material

Polyurethane (PUR)

Sheath outer diameter (mm)

7.8 ± 0.2 mm

Sheath colour

Yellow

Temperature range

-40 °C to +105 °C

Water pressure resistance

5 MPa

Unlike standard underwater cables that sink to the seabed and create drag, snagging or entanglement hazards, this cable is designed to remain suspended in the water column with zero net buoyancy. A dedicated foamed polyurethane (PUR) construction gives the cable an overall density matched to seawater, removing hydrodynamic lift or drag on the vehicle and markedly improving manoeuvrability, station keeping and operating range, particularly in currents or deep deployments. The design also reduces tether tension and cable fatigue, extending both cable service life and the effective mission duration of the vehicle.

Well suited to:

Observation-class ROVs, mini ROVs and underwater drones that need a zero-drag tether

AUVs and marine robots for seabed inspection, mapping and surveillance

Underwater camera systems and live video streaming (Gigabit Ethernet and PoE supported)

Seabed sensor arrays, data acquisition systems and ocean monitoring stations

Sonar systems and towed arrays requiring precise depth alignment and vibration damping

Shallow-water monitoring, aquarium systems and pool cleaning robots

Military and defence applications (mine detection, naval surveillance, port security)

Marine research and exploration equipment, hydrographic survey systems

The cable meets the demanding requirements of underwater equipment for high-speed data, live video, sensor telemetry and control signals, while the neutrally buoyant design removes the need for add-on floats or a complex tether management system. The light, flexible construction reduces drag on the vehicle, prevents snagging on seabed obstacles and ensures smooth deployment and recovery from the winch system.