What is a Fiber Optic Cable?

A fiber optic cable is a type of cable that uses light to transmit data over long distances. It consists of a core made of glass or plastic that is surrounded by layers of protective material, such as cladding. The core of the cable is where the data is transmitted as light signals, and the cladding helps to keep the light signals confined within the core. A coating and strength member protect the delicate fiber optic core from damage.

Fiber optic cables are used in a variety of applications, including telecommunications, internet service, and cable television. They offer several advantages over traditional copper cables, including faster data transmission speeds, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and the ability to transmit data over much longer distances. They are also more durable and less susceptible to damage than copper cables.

Fiber optic cables are available in various types, including single-mode and multimode fiber, and they can be used in various types of network configurations, including point-to-point, ring, and star. They are typically used for high-speed data transmission and are becoming increasingly important as demand for faster and more reliable wide area network connections continues to grow.

Core - At the center of a fiber optic cable is a thin glass tube called a core that transports light pulses generated by a laser or light emitting diode (LED). Single mode cores are typically 8.3 or 9µm, while multimode cores are available in 50 and 62.5µm diameters.

Cladding - A thin layer of glass that protects and surrounds the fiber core, reflecting light back into the core causing light waves to travel the length of the fiber.

Primary Coating - This layer of thicker plastic is also known as the primary buffer. It is designed to absorb shocks, prevent excessive bending and reinforce the fiber core.

Strength Member or Strengthening Fibers - From gel-filled sleeves to strands of Kevlar, the strength member is engineered to protect the fiber core from excessive pull forces and crushing, particularly during installation.

Outer Jacket - The outer jacket, or cable jacket, provides a final layer of protection for the core conductor and further strengthens the cable. The jacket is color coded to identify the type of optical fiber in the cable: yellow for single mode, orange for multimode, and so on. Cable jackets also have fire ratings, such as OFNR, OFNP or LSZH.