Hybrid Fiber and Power Cable

AC or DC for a 1 km Outdoor WiFi Network?

Recently, we have been working with a customer in Tanzania on an outdoor WiFi network project.

The project will use Ruijie outdoor access points, with fiber for data transmission and electrical conductors in the same cable for power.

At first, the question sounded simple:

Can we use a Hybrid Fiber & Power Cable to power an outdoor AP over a distance of up to 1 km?

But once the distance reaches 1 km, cable design is no longer just about combining fiber and copper.

The customer originally preferred DC power, as the APs support DC input. However, over a long distance, voltage drop becomes a key consideration.

So before recommending the cable, we worked with the customer to clarify:

• AP model and power consumption
• Maximum distance from the substation to each AP
• Number of APs
• DC or AC power supply
• Copper conductor size
• Aerial or underground duct installation

The network was then divided into substations, each with local grid power and solar backup. From each substation, individual Hybrid Fiber & Power Cables will connect directly to the outdoor APs, with the farthest connection approximately 1 km.

For the power design, we evaluated two options:

Option 1 – DC Power DC is convenient at the AP side, but over 1 km, voltage drop can become significant. Larger copper conductors may be required, which increases cable diameter, weight and cost.

Option 2 – 220/230V AC Power Higher-voltage AC significantly reduces current for the same power requirement, making long-distance power transmission more practical. Power can then be converted locally if required.

So, AC or DC?

There is no universal answer.

The correct solution depends on:

Power + Voltage + Distance + Conductor Size + Installation Method

This project reminded us of something important:

A Hybrid Fiber & Power Cable should not be designed from a cable specification first. It should be designed from the application first.

That is the difference between simply supplying a cable and developing a solution.