What Are The Types Of Fiber Optic Cable?
As science uncovers new and effective ways to do things with technology, it depends on how you perceive things logically. For example, copper wire is used to transmit signals. At times, these wires cannot be replaced, but now, various types of fiber optic cables are the best alternative to these copper wires. Hence, these wires provide reliability for the fast transmission of signals.
However, these wires have modernized the way by providing high speed and bandwidth compared to traditional copper cables. So, opt for the suitable Fiber optic cable in Pakistan for your network demands and make your communication infrastructure much better.
Different Types Of Fiber Optic Cable?
There are three major types of fiber optic cables:
All these types of cables are used for their application and ease of use in different communication structures.
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cables:
These cables have a little diametric core (8.3 to 10 microns), enabling an individual light path.
It is beneficial as it has a combination of a small core fixed with an individual light wave. Thus, this combination removes any disruption that might occur during transmission. Therefore, it means that this type of fiber optic cable provides minimal signal weakness, which refers to a reduction in power.
This specific feature also means that the amount of light reflections that can be developed as the light moves via the fiber optic cable's core is minimized to some extent. Hence, it lessens the attenuation and provides the cable with the ability to send signals further, also at higher perspective speeds.
The Major Types Of Single Mode Fiber Optic Cables:
There are two significant classes of single-mode fiber optic cables:
- OS1: This kind of single-mode fiber optic cable is a compact, buffered cable made particularly for inside applications. Consequently, you’ll see this sort of fiber optic cable in educational institutes or in data centers where the cable's maximum distance will cover around 10 km.
- OS2: This sort of fiber optic cable is a detached tube cable that is made for outdoor settings. Thus, these are used underground or on the streets. So, the maximum distance that this cable can cover is 200 KM (656,000 feet).
Some Applications For Single Mode Fiber Optic Cables:
The most popular application for single-mode cables consists of long-distance networking, where maximum-bandwidth signal transmission capabilities are crucial.
This means that institutions like telcos, colleges, cable TV companies, data centres, and universities all require this type of cable.
Multimode Fiber Optic Cable:
On the contrary, these cables have a gigantic diametric core (50 to 100 microns), which enables the diverse modes of light to pass quickly.
The Major Types Of Multimode Fiber Optic Cables:
There are five common types of multimode fiber optic cables in the market today:
- OM1: With a diametric size of 62.5 µm, this sort of multimode fiber optic cable usually has an orange jacket. However, its design supports up to 10 gigabit Ethernet at up to 33 meters of length. This form of wire often employs an LED light source and uses 100 Megabit Ethernet applications.
- OM2: same as OM1, OM2 fiber optic cables are available in an orange jacket in the market and employ an LED light source. So, the main difference between them is that it has a bit diameter size of 50 µm, with the capacity to support up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet at around 82 meters. However, 1-gigabit Ethernet applications use this type of cable.
- OM3: these cables are available in an aqua-colored jacket; this sort of multimode fiber optic cable has a diameter of 50 µm. Anyhow, the main difference here is the design of laser-based equipment. Thus, it usually supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet at a distance of 300 meters length. Yet, it can support 40 – 100 Gigabit Ethernet up to about 100 meters. Hence, it uses only 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
- OM4: Just like OM3, OM4 fiber optic cables are also available in the market in an aqua-colored jacket. However, the design of this cable is solely compatible with VCSEL laser transmission. So, this cable enables transmission for 10 Gigabits with distances of up to 550 meters. It can also operate 40 – 100 Gigabit Ethernet over 150 meters.
- OM5: these cables are popular as wideband multimode fiber (WBMMF). Hence, this is the advanced form of multimode fiber optic cable. Not only is it well-matched with OM3, but it also has a similar core size (50 µm). However, it comes in a lime green jacket, and the design of this cable supports speeds of up to 28 Gigabits per channel.
Popular Applications Of Multimode Fiber Optic Cables:
The most popular applications for multimode fiber optic cables consist of short-distance data and audio or video applications like in LANs (Local Area Networks).
Plastic Optical Fiber cable:
The third non-so-common fiber optic cable is plastic optical fibers (POF). Yet, among various types of fiber optic cables, it is used as a possible substitute for glass when it comes in wiring for communication of applications. Anyhow, most service providers don't take it. It has been successfully used in the aircraft, industrial, and automotive vehicle sectors.
POF offers you the same benefits as any other fiber optic cable, such as resistance to sound, higher capacity, enhanced security, and much more.
With a central area of 1 mm, this form of fiber optic cable is usually more significant than its opposite numbers that have the design of glass. Moreover, it’s also relatively easy to manage, which means you don't require complex tools and skills.
The drawback of POF is that it doesn't provide a similar type of approach to that of its counterparts. Therefore, It usually comes off at around 150 Mbps over 50 meters in Ethernet, and makes it much slower-moving than the substitutes. That is an important reason why this type of fiber optic cable is rare than others.
Why Are Fiber Optic Cables More Popular Than Copper Wires?
The following reasons make fiber optic cables superior to copper wires:
- Speed: Fiber optic cables work at very high speeds; some even approach gigabits.
- Distance: Distance is also a factor of its superiority while transmitting the signals. The fiber optics send the signal more quickly and with better quality than copper wires.
- Bandwidth: Fiber optic cables usually have a more considerable bandwidth carrying capacity.
- Maintenance: Fiber optic cables don't require high maintenance costs.
- Resistance: Fiber optic cables provide higher resistance to some technological interference like electromagnetic sound from motors, radios, nearby cables, and much more.
