Fiber Optic Cables: The Different Types and How They Are Used

The technology that fiber optic cables bring used to be only a dream. Fiber optic cables can transmit data by means of light pulses instead of electricity currents. This technology has become extremely especially useful in the telecommunications industry because they have revolutionized how telephones and even the Internet work. Nowadays, even businesses and organizations utilize fiber optic cables for their ability to send data faster in a more cost-effective manner.

What are the different types of fiber optic cables being used today and what differentiates them from one another? We may have previously shared more information about this but consider this a refresher to give you a better understanding of the different fiber optic cables available in the industry today.

Fiber Optic Cable, LC to SC, Single Mode Simplex (9/125) - 2 Meter

1. Single-Mode Fiber Optic Cable – Because single-mode fiber optic cables can only transfer data in a single stream, these fiber connections are often used for longer cable runs. The single stream of data actually allows for faster data transmission as the single light pulse is capable of carrying a significant amount of bandwidth. In Internet usage, single-mode fiber optic cables are used for Ethernet connections that require data transmission over long distances.

10Gb Aqua (OM3) Fiber Optic Cable, LC to LC, Multimode Duplex (50/125) - 1 Meter

2. Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Cable – Contrary to the single-mode fiber optic cables, multi-mode optical cables are capable of data transmission through several different paths. The pulses of light emitted transmit data allowing faster travel over a single fiber optic line. The downside, however, is that although more data can be transmitted, multi-mode fiber optic cables have less bandwidth available. Because of this, they are often used for shorter distances of data transmission such as a Local Area Connection (LAN).

3. Plastic Fiber Optic Cables – Made of plastic rather than glass, plastic fiber optic cables are not really used to transmit data as they are less reliable than single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables that are made of glass. Plastic fiber optic cables are, instead, used for impressive light displays and other ornamental purposes. These are continuously being tested upon by technology specialists for their ease of installation and usage but so far, the results are inconclusive as to whether they can be a potential alternative to commonly used fiber optic cable connections.

Different Types of Fiber Optical Cables

As a whole, the general process for the creation of fiber optical cables is pretty much the same. Two layers of glass (or plastic for plastic fiber) are melted together and then drawn out into a long fiber with a core and an external sheathing. Light travels through the refractive indexes of the core and the sheath. The optical fibers are then drawn down, cooled and spooled for bundling and manufacturing.

Depending on how they were made, there are three types of fiber optical cables.

1. Single mode fiber optical cable. This has a narrower core and carries more bandwidth in a narrower spectral width, as compared to a multi-mode fiber. Single mode fiber optical cables allow for one data stream or mode to be transmitted over very long distances.

2. Multi mode fiber optical cable. Unlike a single mode fiber, a multi mode fiber cable uses a much thicker core. It can carry data encoded using multiple light sources which means that multiple data streams can travel through even just one fiber. However, multi mode fiber cables are only good for short distances and cannot support a high bandwidth which single mode fiber optical cables can usually support.

3. Plastic optical fiber (POF). Plastic fiber optical cables do not possess optical purity which is necessary for reliable data transmission so it is usually just used for decorative and aesthetic transmission of light like the toys where there is light transmission. This is achieved through colorful clumps of fiber optical cables. Unlike its glass counterparts, POF is cheaper to manufacture and is not as fragile so it is ideal for aesthetic purposes.

Fiber optical cables can also be categorized according to how they are bundled and the size of the cables. Keep reading this blog for more information.