Fiber optic cable is a type of cable that uses glass or plastic fibers to transmit data using light signals. There are several types of fiber optic cables, including:
- Single-mode fiber: Single-mode fiber has a small core diameter (9 microns or less) and is typically used for long-distance, high-speed telecommunications and data transmission.
- Multi-mode fiber: Multi-mode fiber has a larger core diameter (50 or 62.5 microns) and is typically used for shorter-distance, high-bandwidth applications such as local area networks (LANs) and data centers.
- Plastic optical fiber (POF): POF is a fiber optic cable that uses plastic fibers instead of glass fibers. It’s less expensive than glass fiber and is mainly used in short-distance, low-speed applications such as automotive and consumer electronics.
- Indoor/Outdoor fiber: This fiber optic cable is designed to be used in indoor and outdoor environments; they are designed to withstand the environmental conditions of the outdoors.
- Armored fiber: This fiber optic cable is designed to be used in harsh environments and underground; they are armored to protect the fibers from physical damage.
- Loose tube fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for outdoor environments; they are made of a central strength member, a buffer tube containing the fibers, and a jacket to protect the fibers from the environment.
- Ribbon fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for high-density applications; they are made of multiple fibers that are organized in a ribbon configuration
- Interlocking Armor Fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for use in harsh environments and underground; it has an interlocking armor that surrounds the fibers, protecting them from physical damage.
- Micro-fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for use in small spaces; they have a small diameter which makes them ideal for use in tight spaces.
- Bend-insensitive fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed to be more flexible and resistant to bending; they are ideal for use in applications where the cable will be bent frequently.
- Dispersion-shifted fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for use in long-distance, high-speed telecommunications and data transmission; they are designed to reduce the dispersion of light signals, which increases the speed and distance of the data transmission.
- Non-zero dispersion-shifted fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed to reduce the dispersion of light signals while maintaining a low attenuation.
- Zero dispersion wavelength fiber: This type of fiber optic cable is designed for use in high-speed telecommunications and data transmission; they are designed to reduce the dispersion of light signals to zero.
It’s worth noting that new fiber optic cable technologies are constantly being developed, and the list above may not be exhaustive. Also, the availability and quality of the service can vary depending on location, and multiple types of fiber optic cables can be available in the same area.
All the types of fiber optic cable that I’ve listed are widely used and adopted in the industry. And as technology continues to evolve, new types of fiber optic cables may be developed to meet the growing demands of high-speed networks. However, It’s important to note that even though the latest types of fiber optic cables may have higher speeds and improved features, they may not always be the best choice for a particular application or network infrastructure. It’s essential to consult with experts and conduct proper assessments to determine the most appropriate type of fiber optic cable for a specific use case.
Another thing worth mentioning is that different connector types are available for fiber optic cables depending on the application; for example, LC, SC, ST, FC, and MTP/MPO are some of the most typical connectors used in fiber optic cabling.