Multi-jacketed fiber optic cable

A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

• an inner cable assembly having:
• an optical fiber;
• a first strength layer surrounding the optical fiber, wherein the first strength layer carries a water absorbent material;
• a first jacket surrounding the first strength layer;
• a second strength layer surrounding the inner cable assembly, the second strength layer being contra-helically served such that a first set of strength members is helically wrapped around the first jacket and a second set of strength members is reverse helically wrapped around the first jacket, each of the strength members having a lay length ranging from about 3 inches to about 18 inches, wherein the first and second sets of strength members are unbraided relative to each other;
• a second jacket surrounding the second strength layer, the second jacket having an outer diameter ranging from about 900 μm to about 6 mm;
• and
• a ripcord longitudinally disposed between the second strength layer and the second jacket, wherein the ripcord is adapted for selectively removing at least a portion of the second jacket.

A method for installing a fiber optic cable assembly, the method comprising:

• providing a fiber optic cable assembly, the fiber optic cable assembly including:
• a first strength layer carrying a water absorbent material;
• a first jacket surrounding the first strength layer;
• a second strength layer surrounding the first jacket, the second strength layer including a first set of strength members helically wrapped around the first jacket and a second set of strength members reverse helically wrapped around the first jacket, each of the strength members having a lay length ranging from about 3 inches to about 18 inches, wherein the first and second sets of strength members are unbraided relative to each other;
• and
• a second jacket surrounding the second strength layer, the second jacket having an outer diameter ranging from about 900 μm to about 6 mm;
• routing the fiber optic cable assembly from a fiber optic enclosure to an end location;
• splitting a portion of the second jacket at an end of the fiber optic cable assembly;
• and
• removing the portion of the second jacket.