Optical Fiber Cable Installation
An optical-fiber cable is an assembly of one or more optical fibers that are used to carry light.
They contain optical fiber elements coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube which protects it from the outside environment. OFC are used for different applications such as long-distance telecommunication, or providing high-speed data connection.
Single versus Multimode Fiber Optics:
There are two types of fiber optic cabling, which are single mode and multimode.
Single mode OFC can transmit a single wavelength of light for long distance and is primarily used for WAN connections.
Multimode OFC can transmit multiple signals at once but limited in length and typically used in LANs.
When light is introduced into an optical fiber, it either goes straight down the middle of the optical tube or can travel at an angle, reflecting off the side of the tube as it travels along the length.
Each signal traveling down the tube at any given time is known as a mode.
The diameter of the core of a single-mode OFC cable is very small (for example, 9 microns). A single ray of light is transmitted down the OFC cable core, and it travels without reflection. Single-mode fiber can be linked to as long as 10 kilometers (In Theory).
Multimode OFC cable has a larger core diameter and this supports the transmission of multiple signals at once. Individual rays of light (signal) has a different angle of reflection. The receiving device is capable of separating the individual signals.
However, the reflection angles disperse over long distances and this limits the distance of multimode fiber.
Multimode OFC is easier to work with than single mode OFC. OFC cables need to be spliced to enable continuity of single mode OFC whereas multimode OFC cables are shorter in length and hence multiple cables can be used.
5 Benefits of Fiber Optic Cable
As our world becomes increasingly hungry for more bandwidth, and costs of fiber optic cable come down, professionals are starting to take a closer look at it. But before you decide whether OFC is the most suitable cable for your requirements, consider the benefits they offer.
1. Fiber Supports Very High Bandwidth Levels
2. Fiber is Inherently Secure
3. Fiber is Intrinsically Safe
4. Fiber Withstands Water and Temperature Fluctuations
5. Fiber is Immune to EMI
