Fiber Optic Cables

The Core Carries the signal. Made of Glass or plastic

The Cladding Maintains the signal in the center of the core as the cable bends. 

The Sheating Protects the cladding and the core

• Immune to EMI

• High resistance to eavesdropping

• Supports extremely high data transmission rates 

• Allows long distances without repeaters

• Expensive to install

• Not very flexible

• Requires special training to attach connectors to cables

• Used with single-mode and multi-mode cabling

• "Push-in and twist connector"

• Separate connector for each wire

• Nickel Plated with ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and prevent light ray deflection

• ST = Set-and-Twist / Straight Tip

• Used with single-mode and multi-mode cabling

• "Push on / Pull off connector"

• Separate connector for each wire

• Ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and prevent light ray deflection

• SC = Set-and-Click or Square Connector

• Used with single-mode and multi-mode cabling

• Plastic connector with a locking tab that is simmilar to RJ45

• Single connector with two ends for the two cables to keep it in place

• Ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and prevent light ray deflection

• LC = Lift-and-click or Little Connector

• Used with single-mode and multi-mode cabling

• Plastic connector with a locking tab

• Single connector with one end that holds  the two cables

• Uses metal guide pins to ensure proper alignment

• Ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and prevent light ray deflection

• LC = Lift-and-click or Little Connector

• Used with single-mode cabling

• Separate connector for each wire

• Uses threaded connector

• Designed to stay securely connected in environments with physical shock and vibration

• FC = Ferrule connector or Fiber Channel

Diode laser and High radiance light-emitting diode (LED)

• Uses infrared light 

• Most common wavelengths are 850 nm, 1300 nm, 1310 nm, and 1550 nm

For the longer wavelengths, glass allows them to have lower signal loss due to scattering.

Multi-mode fiber is designed for 850 nm and 1300 nm
Single mode is or 1310 nm and 1550 nm

WDM joins multiple light wavelengths (colors) onto one strand of fiber

• This allows light to travel in both directions across one fiber

• Modern tech can multiplex 160 signal easily

• Designed for single-mode fiber

You can convert fiber optic to many different types of media.

• Single-mode to copper ethernet

• Single-mode to multi-mode

• Single mode to coaxial

• Multi-mode to copper ethernet

• Multi-mode to coaxial