Fiber optic cabling has its roots in the early 1950s, when researchers started experimenting with the transmission of light through thin glass fibers. The goal was to meet the need for high-speed and reliable long-distance communication. The development of semiconductor lasers in the 1960s and 1970s made it possible to transmit signals over longer distances and at higher data rates, which led to the first commercial fiber optic cable networks in the late 1970s.
Traditional copper-based cabling systems were first developed in the 1800's and were limited in both distance and bandwidth, which made it difficult to establish reliable communication over long distances. Fiber optic cabling on the other hand, can transmit data over much longer distances and at much higher data rates, making it an ideal choice for telecommunications, data centers and other applications where high-speed and reliable network connections are essential.
Fiber optic cabling works by transmitting data as pulses of light through a thin, flexible glass or plastic strand. The light travels through the strand using a principle known as total internal reflection, which keeps the light contained within the fiber core and prevents it from leaking out. This allows for data to be transmitted over long distances with very little signal degradation or loss.
There are two main types of fiber optic cable.
Single-mode fiber optic cable has a small core diameter and is used for long-distance applications, typically 500 meters and longer.
Multi-mode fiber optic cable is used for shorter runs, usually within a building between local closets and is further divided into OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 types, with each type having different bandwidth and distance capabilities shown below:
OM1 is the oldest and least capable of the four types, with a bandwidth of 200 MHz*km and a maximum transmission distance of 33 meters at 10 Gbps. It is typically used for shorter distance applications such as local area networks (LANs) and premises cabling.
OM2 has a higher bandwidth of 500 MHz*km and a maximum transmission distance of 82 meters at 10 Gbps. It is also used for shorter distance applications and is less commonly used than OM3 and OM4.
OM3 has a higher bandwidth of 2000 MHz*km and a maximum transmission distance of 300 meters at 10 Gbps. It is commonly used for high-speed data center applications, such as backbone cabling and storage area networks (SANs).
OM4 has the highest bandwidth of the four types, at 4700 MHz*km, and a maximum transmission distance of 400 meters at 10 Gbps. It is similar to OM3 in terms of applications, but offers longer transmission distances and improved performance.
The amount of information that can be transmitted over a fiber optic cable, is also higher in OM3 and OM4 cables, allowing for greater data transmission rates over longer distances. OM1 and OM2 cables are no longer widely used in new installations, with OM3 and OM4 being the preferred options due to their higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances.
It is important to note that while the OM designation refers to the type of multimode fiber optic cable, the actual performance of a fiber optic system depends on a variety of factors including the cable quality, connector type, and installation techniques.
Fiber optic cabling can come with several different jacket types:
-
Tight-Buffered Cable Jacket: This type of cable jacket is the most common for indoor fiber optic cables. It consists of a PVC or plenum-rated outer jacket, with individual fibers surrounded by a tight buffer layer of either acrylate or silicone. The tight buffer layer protects the fiber from stress and damage.
-
Loose-Tube Cable Jacket: This type of cable jacket is used for outdoor and long-distance fiber optic cable runs. It consists of a PVC or polyethylene outer jacket with individual fibers contained in water-resistant gel-filled tubes. The loose tube design allows for greater protection against environmental factors such as moisture and temperature changes.
-
Ribbon Cable Jacket: This type of cable jacket is used for high-density applications where multiple fibers need to be grouped together. It consists of a PVC or plenum-rated outer jacket, with individual fibers arranged in a flat ribbon formation. Ribbon cables can have up to 12 or 24 fibers in a single ribbon.
-
Armored Cable Jacket: This type of cable jacket is used in applications where additional protection against physical damage is required. It consists of a PVC or polyethylene outer jacket, with a layer of armor made from either steel or Kevlar. Typically used in industrial or utility settings, the armor provides additional protection against crushing, bending, and other types of physical damage.
-
Composite Cable Jacket: This type of cable jacket is used for applications that require both electrical and fiber optic cables to be run in the same conduit or cable tray. It consists of a PVC or plenum-rated outer jacket, with both fiber optic and electrical cables contained within the same cable assembly.