Fiber Optic Cables

Types of Fiber Optic Cable

With the wide array of fiber optic cables available on the market today, selecting the right one for your system can be confusing. However, you can make things a lot easier by knowing the different types of cable.

• Simplex Cable – This consists of a single strand of plastic fiberglass and is mostly used where there is only one transmit/receive line between devices. It comes as a single-mode or a multimode cable, with the former most suitable for a cable network with data traveling only in one direction over long distances. The latter, on other hand, is typically used for short-distance data transmissions.

• Duplex Cable – Basically, this type is composed of two simplex cables combined usually with a zip cord side by side, with jackets conjoined by a strip of material. Like simplex cables, duplex cables also come as single-mode or multi-mode.

• Breakout Cable – This type contains multiple jacketed simplex cables that are packed inside an outer jacket. It is ideal for use in conduits and short “riser and plenum” applications.

• Distribution Cable – Like the breakout cable, this type is also comprised of cables that contain tightly buffered fibers packed inside one jacket. However, it is smaller in size and is double buffered. It is mostly used for short dry conduits.

• Ribbon Cable – This type of cable is arranged into a strip, looking like a ribbon, which is why it is called as such. Due to its space-saving design, it is suitable for tight spaces, such as existing conduits with only a little room left to add more cables.

• Loose Tube Cable – This is constructed of many fibers bundled inside a small plastic tube. It is commonly used when there is a need to bury the cables right into the ground or string them overhead.

Fiber optic cables come in a variety of types. Make sure you know exactly what you need for your system to avoid faults and functionality issues after installation.

What Are Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Now, one particular (and very common) type of fiber optic cable is the fiber optic patch cable. Basically, it is a patch cord that is already capped with connectors at both ends to make it easier and quicker for you to connect telecommunication devices. With a thick layer of protection, it is often used to connect optical transmitters, receivers, and terminal boxes, which are used for setting up fiber-to-home systems, communication rooms, and local area networks (LANs).

Advantages of Using Fiber Optic Cables

There are many benefits that you will get from using fiber optic cables instead of traditional network cables.

They have higher capacities, which means that they carry larger amounts of bandwidth. Also, they allow light to travel over longer distances through them, so there will be a lesser need to install signal boosters.

Moreover, because of the physical properties of fiber and glass, which the cables are made of, they are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, especially when they are strung close to each other. On the other hand, traditional network cables would need special shielding to prevent interference issues.