Before deciding on the type of fiber optic cable most suitable for your requirements, you must know the main differences between multimode and single mode. Various types of fiber optic cables are used for different purposes, bringing varied efficiency and reliability to your network. This article breaks down the different types of fiber optic cables to help you decide the one that best fits your needs.
Multimode Fiber-Optic Cables
Multimode fiber optic cables transmit data with short distances in mind. Their diameter is a bit large—around 50 or 62.5 micrometers—to connect many light modes directly. As the core size is bigger throughout multimode cables, they favor high bandwidth over short distances but have high signal dispersion. Multimode cables are, therefore, mainly used within 550 meters for the 10 Gbps speeds, making them perfect for the in-building or links-on-campus scenarios.
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cables for Long Distances
In contrast, single-mode fiber optic cables are designed to pass data over long distances. Their core is much smaller, usually just 8 to 10 micrometers. For that reason, they can allow one light mode only, which significantly reduces signal dispersion while enabling data transfer over much greater distances without major losses.
Key Differences: Which One Should You Opt For?
If your project involves short-range and high-bandwidth communication, multimode fiber optic cables would likely be best. They are very effective within a set radius and offer reliable and cost-efficient performance in environments such as data centers and LANs. Single-mode fiber becomes the choice if an application uses long-distance transmission data since it provides both high bandwidth and extended reach to ensure minimal signal loss over vast distances.
How Many Types of Fiber Optic Cables Are There?
It is also important to note that there are other classifications of fiber optic cables when looking at the types of fiber optic cables. For instance, multimode cables are classified and assigned a rating of OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 to indicate their performance capabilities. Single-mode cables also have modes like OM1, OM2, and OM3, with OM3 being used for longer distances than OM2.
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If you need professional fiber optic installation, partner with Bridge Communications. Our team is ready to help you choose your business’s fiber optic cables and guarantees seamless installation. Contact us today!