Fiber Optic Cable Buying Guide

What is fiber optic cable?

Fiber optic cable (also referred to as optical fiber cable) Fiber optic cable (also referred to as optical fiber cable) is a network cable made of glass sheets in an insulating shell, which is composed of architectural elements such as fiber core, cladding, and sheath. Fiber optic cables can provide fast data transmission, thinner and lighter cables, and longer signal ranges. Modern solutions for the need for faster data transmission over longer distances.

Optical cable type

1Single-mode and multi-mode
Single-mode fiber (SMF) Single-mode fiber has a small core size. It can transmit data over long distances and is suitable for campus data networks, cable TV transmission and telecommunication networks.
Multimode Fiber (MMF) Multimode fiber has a larger core size and is often used to transmit large amounts of data over short distances due to high dispersion and attenuation rates.

2 Simplex fiber optic cable and duplex fiber optic cable
Simplex optical cables use single-strand optical fibers and only support one-way transmission. It is usually used for monitoring applications.
Duplex fiber optic cables use two fibers to transmit and receive data at the same time, and are used to connect network devices in high-speed networks. It is commonly used to connect switches, servers and storage systems.

3.Active optical cable (AOC)
Active Optical Cables (AOCs) are fiber optic cables with transceivers permanently bonded to each end, eliminating the need for connectors. AOC is typically used in top-of-rack applications with short link distances. Thin cables help keep air flowing when port density is high.

4.Zipcord fiber
Zipcord fiber has two or more buffered cables in its protective jacket. Each fiber optic cable is covered by its own jacket and finally held together by an outer protective jacket.

5.Mode adjustment cable
A Mode Conditioning Patch Cord (MCP) is a duplex cable that avoids costly network upgrades to replace legacy gigabit LX transceivers by allowing single-mode signals to be converted and transmitted over multimode fiber.

6.Loopback cable
Loopback cables, also known as loopback testers or loopback adapters, are used to test signal transmission and diagnose problems.
How to choose fiber optic cable
We need to choose the appropriate fiber optic broadband cable according to our actual needs. Cost and future-proofing issues should also be considered

Internet Speed ​​and Distance
Ifit is used for school campus network or home cable TV, please choose single-mode fiber. Choose multimode fiber if it is used in an enterprise to transmit large amounts of data.

Fiber Optic Cable Speeds and Lengths

cable jacket
All indoor fiber optic cables must comply with local fire codes, and the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) jacket is suitable for indoor use. Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jackets are suitable for use in confined spaces. Polyethylene (PE) is the first choice for outdoor applications due to its resistance to moisture and UV rays, high abrasion resistance and good flexibility.

Connector
Select the corresponding fiber optic cable terminal according to the network equipment to be connected. Data centers and telecom switching centers use LC connectors. Enterprise networks can choose SC connectors, which cost less and last longer. If the port density is high, MTRJ connectors can be used.