What Are the Different Fiber Optic Cable Types?

What Are the Different Fiber Optic Cable Types?

Fiber optic cables are a popular choice for data transmission due to their high speed and durability. There are several different fiber optic cable types, each with its own set of characteristics and uses. Some of the most common fiber optic cable categories include single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. Let’s take a look at the different cables within each of these categories and how they work.

How do fiber optic cables work?

Fiber optic cables consist of a core, made of glass or plastic, and cladding, which is also made of glass or plastic. The core is surrounded by the cladding, which has a lower index of refraction. This difference in refractive indices between the core and cladding creates total internal reflection, enabling data to be transmitted at high speeds.

What are the standard core sizes of the fiber optic cable types?

The core of fiber optic cables is measured in microns (µm). The core size of multimode fiber cables is 50µmand 62.5µm, while single-mode fiber cables are measured in 8-9µm.

Single-mode fiber (SMF) is made with a very thin core, measuring 8-9µm. The small core size enables the fiber to carry only one light mode or signal. This fiber is used for long-distance data transmission, as it is not affected by fiber bending or fiber stretching.

Multimode fiber (MMF) is made with a larger core, typically measuring 50µm to 62.5µm in diameter. This fiber can carry multiple light modes, allowing it to carry data at high speeds over short distances.

What are the standard wavelengths of the fiber optic cable types?

Fiber optic wavelength is measured in nanometers. Multimode fiber wavelengths are 850nm and 1300nm, while single-mode fiber wavelengths are 1310nm and 1550nm. Fiber optics carry different frequencies of light or wavelengths. The wavelength is like a color of light, and fiber optic cables are typically made to transmit one of two colors: 850nm or 1310nm. These two colors are part of the near-infrared spectrum and are invisible to the human eye.

What is the difference between 850nm and 1300nm fiber optic cable?

When using multimode, 850nm fiber optic cable is the most common type of fiber used in data transmission. It has a lower attenuation rate, meaning it can carry data with less signal loss. The 1300nm fiber optic cable is less common, but it has a higher bandwidth than the 850nm fiber, making it better suited for high-speed data transmission.

What are the different single-mode fiber type and multi-mode fiber optic cable types?

Within the broad categories of single-mode fiber types and multi-mode fiber optic cable, we can break down the technical specifications and naming conventions further.

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• https://rfindustries.com/fiber-optic-cable-types-multimode-and-single-mode/
• https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/Networking/fiber-optic-cable-types-a-complete-guide
• https://www.vcelink.com/blogs/focus/fiber-optic-cable-types