How to Differentiate Between Types of Fiber Optic Cables

We’ve discussed Fiber Optic Cables a lot in the past but the truth is, we’ve just scratched the surface on this multifaceted system.

Fiber optic cables are versatile in their function and installation. Today, we’re giving you a glimpse of the most common types of fiber optic cables in the home, as well as the office so you can better tell the difference between them.

FTTH Fiber Optic Cables

FTTH (Fiber To The Home), as its name suggests, is fiber optic directly to the home.

This growing method of communication provides increased speeds and improved connectivity in homes. According to FTTH Council of America,

“Connecting homes directly to fiber optic cable enables enormous improvements in the bandwidth that can be provided to consumers.”

While many homes are switching to “future proof” fiber networks, businesses have a few more options that we’ll discuss below.

Indoor Fiber Optic Cables

Indoor fiber optic cables can be found in buildings, office, and homes all over the world. Composed with thin optical fibers, indoor fiber optics are versatile, convenient, and relatively inexpensive.

Indoor fiber optic cables’ flexibility allows them to be installed between floors, within walls, in air ducts and under data center floors. Once installed, they are built to last.

Thin jackets and complex fiber optics become the powerhouses for businesses. Indoor cables are built with flame-retardant jackets, color-coded and easy to maintain. They bridge the gap between applications to provide a seamless, communication connections.

Outdoor Fiber Optic Cables

Outdoor fiber optic cables are used for –you guessed it!– outdoor applications. There are several types of outdoor fiber optic cables for communication systems. Built with outdoor elements in mind, each cable has differences in design and placement.

Underground Cables

Underground cables are installed within a conduit, usually 4 inches. They are specially designed for tension and lubricants are added in the design to reduce friction on high-pulling tension.

Direct Buried Cables

Direct buried cables, while also underground, are placed without conduits. These cables must be able to withstand dirt, pests, and pressure. Direct buried cables are rugged in comparison to their indoor, and even outdoor, counterparts. Their free-lying placement limits these cables to areas where the ground is predominantly soil with little to no rocks.

Aerial Cables

Remember those long car rides where your eyes would follow cables from pole to pole? That is essentially the concept of aerial cables. Running from pole to pole means that you must factor in outdoor elements such as storms, wind, and ice.

Submarine/Underwater Cables

There are instances that involve cable installations that run through rivers or lakes. Special cables are designed to protect from water damage and wildlife. Underwater cables must be placed close to the shore and clearly marked.

As a result of the great outdoors, cables must have additional protection to avoid harm from water, moisture, crushing, and pesky rodents. To seal the cable from water and moisture, most cables are now build with a gel or absorbent powder or tape. One of the most common concerns is crushing. While some cables are now built with protective metallic armor, most outdoor cables now use a more versatile hard plastic.

Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Fiber optic patch cables are the “every man” of cables. Their versatility is used for a variety of uses, including CATV (Cable Television), telecommunication networks, computer fiber networks and fiber test equipment. Applications can be used in a variety of high-tech communication systems such as FTTH (Fiber to The Home), LAN (Local Area Network), and FOS (fiber optic sensor).

Fiber optic patch cables come in two modes, each with their own advantages.

• Single-mode fiber patch cable: Single-mode fiber patch cables are made for the long run — literally! They are the premiere cable choice for long transmission distances. The flexibility of single-mode makes them idea for college campuses
• Multimode fiber patch cable: Multimode fiber patch cables are have a short transmission distance, making them ideal for data and audiovisual application in Local Area Networks. They can also be seen within buildings or remote offices, as long as they are in close proximity to one another.

That’s the long and short of it! Below is an excellent inside look at the differences in single-mode and multimode patch cables signal transfer through light rays from Cable Solutions.

What Fiber Optic Cables are Best for My Needs?

Massachusetts-based CableLAN Products, Inc. is the expert so you don’t have to be. A brief phone call to our inside sales representatives will get you prompt answers to your questions about premises and campus wiring products.

Based on your needs and area, our team will identify and suggest the best wiring opportunity for your business. We carry electrical and fiber optic cables for all your voice, video and data communication needs. Choose from Category 5e, Category 6, and Category 6A electrical cables, coaxial cables and indoor and outdoor fiber optic cables from today’s leading manufacturers.

CableLAN’s premium quality cables meet the latest standards. Contact us today!