PANZERKABEL® introduces new steel-reinforced fiber optic cables for harsh environments

Dresden, November 24, 2025 (tpr) – Under the PANZERKABEL® brand, Dresden-based ProAV equipment rental company Bildkraft develops and manufactures ultra-robust specialty cables for the event industry. The company is now introducing a new steel-armored fiber optic cable for high data rates with minimal signal attenuation. We spoke with Bildkraft managing director and owner Jörg Heinze about the new product.

Interview with the owner of Bildkraft and Panzerkabel®

Editor: What exactly is the new PANZERKABEL® LWL PRO – and for whom did you design it?

Jörg Heinze (JH): The LWL PRO is a steel-reinforced fiber optic cable that we developed specifically for applications with high data rates and low attenuation. The target group is technicians who need to rely on stable signal transmission over long distances – especially in the event business, but also in military and industrial environments.

Editor: What exactly are the differences compared to conventional fiber optic reels?

JH: The well-known weakness of fiber optic cables is their mechanical sensitivity. Kinks, foot traffic, or vehicles driving over them can quickly interrupt the signal path. Thanks to its steel reinforcement and PUR sheath, the LWL PRO is extremely robust. At just five millimeters in diameter, the cable remains flexible and can be quickly and cleanly wound and unwound from cable reels. One detail that was important to us based on our experience in the event business is the removable, stable protective cover with pull-in aid. This protects the connectors when pulling them through cable ducts or over longer distances.

With the LWL PRO, we are deliberately closing the gap between standard fiber optic drums and very solid and expensive tactical field cables. Technicians get the robustness of an armored fiber optic cable, but retain the familiar handling.

Editor: Many productions take place outdoors. How weatherproof is the cable?

JH: All PANZERKABEL cables are designed for outdoor use, including the LWL PRO. The PUR outer sheath makes the cable resistant to moisture and weather conditions, while the metal armor protects against martens or mice bites. Incidentally, the cable is not only weatherproof, but also resistant to interference and crush-proof—all properties that play a role at large open-air festivals, city festivals, or events with a lot of technical infrastructure.

Editor: What can event technicians expect in terms of transmission quality?

JH: We use high-quality single-mode and multimode fibers that are designed for high transmission rates with minimal attenuation. Specifically, we offer single-mode OS2 with 9/125 µm and multimode OM3 with 50/125 µm.

The connections are made via LC connectors with UPC polishing – a standard that many rental companies already use. Depending on the variant, four or eight LC fibers are available, so that, for example, multiple 1G/10G links or redundant lines can be implemented via a single cable. The practical advantage is that technicians get a lot of bandwidth in one cable without having to commit to a proprietary connector system.

Editor: Safety is playing an increasingly important role at events. What standards does the cable meet?

JH: The LWL PRO is reinforced with aramid fibers and is therefore designed for high tensile loads – an important safety criterion for long distances or vertical routing. It is also halogen-free in accordance with DIN EN 50267-2-3. This means that in the event of a fire, significantly less corrosive smoke is produced, which protects personnel and equipment and makes the work of the fire department easier.

Editor: How does the LWL PRO fit into the existing PANZERKABEL portfolio?

JH: PANZERKABEL is our brand for metal-reinforced cables that guarantee superior signal transmission even under the toughest conditions. Until now, the series was primarily known for its robust HDMI PRO cables. With the new LWL PRO, we are now consistently expanding this concept to fiber optic cables.

Editor: When and where will the product be available?

JH: The LWL PRO cables are now available from stock in various lengths and in both single-mode and multi-mode versions. Rental companies, system integrators, and event venues can order directly from www.panzerkabel.de. ■

Publisher:
Bildkraft Owner Jörg Heinze
Dresden-Heidenau Industrial Park, Hall 2
Sporbitzer Ring 4
01259 Dresden, Germany
Phone: +49 351 648 240-0
Email: info@bildkraft.tv

Editorial office/press contact:
Sebastian Thiel, THIEL Public Relations e. K.
Phone: +49 351 3148890
Email: presse@thielpr.com

About PANZERKABEL®
PANZERKABEL® is a brand of Bildkraft, based in the Dresden-Heidenau industrial park. The company develops and distributes robust, metal-reinforced cables as well as special transport and installation solutions for professional applications in event technology, broadcasting, industry, and the military.

About Bildkraft
Bildkraft equips companies and large-scale events worldwide with high-end AV technology. The technology rental company, based in Dresden, was founded in 1994 as Creative Lighting and has been operating under the name Bildkraft since 2011. Since 2023, Bildkraft has also been running a training and education center for media and AV technology.