Fiber optic cables transmit signals in the form of light waves. They consist of a core, cladding, coating, and several glass fiber strands. They are usually covered in durable PVC jackets to protect these strands. They are commonly used for transmitting telephone, cable, electricity, and LAN system signals at high speeds with little to no signal distortion.
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cables contain single fiber strands that transmit in one direction at a time. They are thinner than other cables at 8.3 to 10 microns. They have transmission speeds between 1310 and 1550 nm. They are ideal for transmitting high bandwidths as long as narrow, spectral width light sources are present. They are up to 50 times faster than Multimode Fiber Optic Cables, and are usually more expensive. They are also called mono-mode, unimode, and single-mode optical waveguides.
Multimode Fiber Optic Cables consist of several glass fibers covered by thermoplastic buffers or overcoatings, and plenum or non-plenum outer jackets. They are ideal for transmitting signals at high speeds and in high bandwidths over medium distances. Light waves are transmitted along multiple modes or paths at a speed of 850 to 1300 nm. Their diameters range from 50 to 100 microns, but their most common diameter is 62.5 microns. They are usually plastic-based to reduce costs, and optimized for short-run performance. They can distort signals and make partial data transmissions when they run longer than 3,000 feet.
Cable design: Choose a loose-tube cable for indoor use, such as local office network. Each buffer tube can carry a maximum of 12 glass fibers. Make sure they are color coded to prevent mix-ups. For outdoor use, look for tight-buffered cables, as their rugged construction offers better protection. These can also be used as jumper cables.
Connector type: For single mode cables, make sure they have FC feedthru or FC connectors. Multimode cables should have MT-RJ or FDDI feedthru connectors. Consult your dealer or manufacturer for the right connector type for your application.
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