1. What is Fiber Optic Cable
Cabling is the process of packaging optical fibers in a cable structure for handling and
protection. In some applications bare fibers work just fine, such as fiber optic sensors and
laboratory use. However for most communication applications fibers must be packaged in a
cable for practical use. The major benefits of fiber optic cabling are:
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Easy Handling
Some communication systems require tens or even hundreds of fibers (such as a
metro backbone system). Put fibers in a cable make it very easy to install and
maintain.
Protection from damaging forces
Fiber optic cables have to be pulled into place through ducts (outdoor) or conduits
(indoor). Pulling eyes are attached to the strength members or cable outer jackets.
This is critical for isolating the fibers from the applied pulling forces. Glass fibers
cannot endure more than 0.1% to 0.2% elongation during installation.
Protection from harsh environment factors
Cable structures protect fibers from moisture (outdoor cables), extreme temperature
(aerial cables) and influx of hydrogen into the fiber (which causes light absorption
peak at 1380nm which in turn impair fibers’ transmission properties).
Fiber Optic Cable Based on Fiber Types
Based upon fiber types in a cable, fiber optic cables can be categorized as three types.
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cable
All fibers in the cable are single mode fibers.
Multimode Fiber Optic Cable - Multi Mode Fiber Optic Cable
All fibers in the cable are multimode cables.
Hybrid/Composite Cable
Both single mode and multimode fibers are packaged in one cable, such as 4 multimode
fibers and 4 single mode fibers in a single cable.
Fiber Optic Cable Color
For data center premise cables, the jacket color depends on the fiber type in the cable. For
cables containing single mode fibers, the jacket color is typically yellow, whereas for cables
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2. containing multimode fibers, the jacket color is typically orange. For outside plant cables, the
standard jacket color is typically black.
Elements in a Fiber Optic Cables
The construction design and choices of materials are vital in determining characteristics of a
cable. The design factors for some types of fiber optic cables are listed below.
Indoor cables: Fire safety is the number one factor in selecting indoor cables, particularly
those that run through plenum spaces. Indoor cables must pass the flame-retardant and
smoke-inhibitor ratings specified by NEC.
Outdoor cables: Moisture resistance and temperature tolerance are the major factors when
choosing materials for outdoor environment cables. They also need to be ultraviolet (UV)
resistant.
Aerial/Figure 8 Self-Supporting Cables: Aerial cables must endure extreme temperature
ranges from sunlight heat to freezing snow. They also must survive high wind loading.
Cable Jacket Materials
Polyethylene (PE). PE (black color) is the standard jacket material for outdoor fiber optic
cables. PE has excellent moisture – and weather-resistance properties. It has very stable
dielectric properties over a wide temperature range. It is also abrasion-resistant.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). PVC is the most common material for indoor cables, however it
can also be used for outdoor cables. It is flexible and fire-retardant. PVC is more expensive
than PE.
Polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF). PVDF is used for plenum cables because it has better fireretardant properties than PE and produces little smoke.
Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) plastics. LSZH plastics are used for a special kind of
cable called LSZH cables. They produce little smoke and no toxic halogen compounds. But
they are the most expensive jacket material.
Aramid Yarn (trade name Kevlar, developed by DuPont)
Aramid yarn is a yellow color, fiber looking material. It is strong and is used to bundle and
protect the loose tubes or fibers in the cable. It is the strength member to provide tensile
strength along the length of the cable during and after installation. When a cable is pulled
into a duct, the tension is applied to the aramid yarn instead of the fibers.
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3. Central Strength Member
Many fiber optic cables has a central strength member, made of steel, fiberglass or aramid
yarn. Central strength members are needed to provide the rigidity to keep the cable from
buckling. Central strength members are common in outdoor cables and some high fiber
counts indoor cables.
Gel Compound
Gel compound fills buffer tubes and cable interiors, making the cable impervious to water. It
needs to be completely cleaned off when the cable end is stripped for termination.
Ripcord
Ripcord is a thin but very strong thread embedded just below the cable jacket. Its role is to
split the cable easily without harming cable interiors.
Two Basic Fiber Structures
Fiber optic cable are available in a wide variety of physical constructions. Fiber cables can
be anything from simple simplex or duplex (zipcord) cables used for jumpers to 144-fiber
cable for intercity transmission.
However most of the fibers used in these cables come down to two basic configurations –
900um tight buffered fibers or 250um coated fibers (also called bare fibers). Actually tight
buffered fibers cover a coated fiber(the coating is soft plastic) with a thick layer of harder
plastic, making it easier to handle and providing physical protection.
The structure of a 250um coated fiber (bare fiber)
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4. 
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Core (9um for standard single mode fibers, 50um or 62.5um for multimode fibers)
Cladding (125um)
Coating (soft plastic, 250um is the most popular, sometimes 400um is also used)
The structure of a 900um tight buffered fiber
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Core (9um for standard single mode fibers, 50um or 62.5um for multimode fibers)
Cladding (125um)
Coating (soft plastic, 250um)
Tight buffer (hard plastic, 900um)
Fiber Optic Cable Construction - Two Basic Types
Based on 900um tight buffered fiber and 250um coated fiber there are two basic types of
fiber optic cable constructions – Tight Buffered Cable and Loose Tube Cable.
Tight Buffered Cable
Multiple color coded 900um tight buffered fibers can be packed tightly together in a compact
cable structure, an approach widely used indoors, these cables are called tight buffered
cables. Tight buffered cables are used to connect outside plant cables to terminal equipment,
and also for linking various devices in a premises network.
Multi-fiber, tight buffered cables often are used for intra-building, risers, general building and
plenum applications. Tight buffered cables are mostly built for indoor applications, although
some tight buffered cables have been built for outdoor applications too.
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5. Tight Buffered Fiber Optic Cable Sample
Structure of a Tight Buffered Cable
Elements in a tight buffered fiber optic cable
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Multiple 900um tight buffered fibers (stranded around the central strength
member)
Central strength member (in the center of the cable)
Aramid Yarn (trade name Kevlar, Kevlar was developed by Dupont)
(wrapped around the fibers, for physical protection and cable pulling)
Ripcord (for easy removal of outer jacket)
Outer jacket (also called sheath, PVC is most common for indoor cables
because of its flexible, fire-retardant and easy extrusion characteristics. )
Cross Section of a Tight Buffered Fiber Optic Cable
Loose Tube Cable
On the other hand multiple (up to 12) 250um coated fibers (bare fibers) can be put inside a
color coded, flexible plastic tube, which usually is filled with a gel compound that prevents
moisture from seeping through the hollow tube. Buffer tubes are stranded around a dielectric
or steel central member. Aramid yarn are used as primary strength member. Then an outer
polyethylene jacket is extruded over the core. These cables are called loose tube cables.
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6. Loose tube structure isolates the fibers from the cable structure. This is a big advantage in
handling thermal and other stresses encountered outdoors, which is why most loose tube
fiber optic cables are built for outdoor applications.
Loose-tube cables typically are used for outside-plant installation in aerial, duct and directburied applications.
Fiber Optic Loose Tube Cable Samples
Structure of a Loose Tube Cable
Elements in a loose tube fiber optic cable:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Multiple 250um coated bare fibers (in loose tube)
One or more loose tubes holding 250um bare fibers. Loose tubes strand
around the central strength member.
Moisture blocking gel in each loose tube for water blocking and protection of
250um fibers
Central strength member (in the center of the cable and is stranded around
by loose tubes)
Aramid Yarn as strength member
Ripcord (for easy removal of outer jacket)
Outer jacket (Polyethylene is most common for outdoor cables because of its
moisture resistant, abrasion resistant and stable over wide temperature range
characteristics. )
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7. Cross Section of a Loose Tube Fiber Optic Cable
Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Fire Rating and U.S. National Electric Code (NEC code)
Per National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements all indoor fiber optic cables must be
marked and installed properly for its intended use. There are three types of indoor spaces
identified by NEC: plenums, risers and general purpose areas.
What is a plenum area and plenum rated fiber optic cable?
Plenum is an air-handling, air flowing and air distribution system space such as that found
above drop ceiling tiles or heating and ventilation ducts. Plenum rated cables must
meet UL-910 specification and their outer jacket are made of materials that retard the
spread of flame, produce little smoke and protect electronic equipment from damage in fires.
Plenum cables can be run through plenum spaces without special conduits. Plenum rated
cables are more expensive, because of the jacket material, but the added safety and extra
conduit cost savings (if using riser rated cables) pays that back.
What is a riser are and riser rated fiber optic cable?
Riser is a pathway such as floor opening, shaft or duct that runs vertically through floors.
Riser rated cables can be run through building vertical shafts (risers) or from one floor to
another floor. Riser rated cables must meet UL-1666 fire-resistance specification and cannot
be installed in plenum area. However plenum rated cables can be used as a substitute for it
and installed in riser spaces.
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8. What is a general purpose area?
Any space on the same floor which is not plenum or rise is identified as general purpose
area.
Special note regarding outdoor cables and unmarked cables
Per NEC code outdoor cables and unmarked cables can be installed indoors but they have
to be completely installed in metal conduit or electrical metallic tubing.
Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Categorization
Based on NEC code, indoor fiber optic cables can be categorized as six types. You can see
their designation and respective UL test below.
NEC Code
Description
Cable Application
UL Test
OFNP
Optical Fiber
Nonconductive
Plenum Cable
Plenum, overhead, fiber
only
Possible
Substitute
UL - 910
OFCP
Optical Fiber
Plenum, overhead, hybrid
Conductive Plenum
UL - 910
(fiber/wire)
Cable
OFNR
Optical Fiber
Nonconductive Rise
Cable
OFCR
Optical Fiber
Conductive Rise
Cable
OFN
Optical Fiber
Nonconductive
General purpose,
horizontal, fiber only
UL - 1581 OFNP, OFNR
OFC
Optical Fiber
Conductive
General purpose,
horizontal, hybrid
UL - 1581 OFCP, OFCR
Riser, backbone, fiber
only
UL - 1666
OFNP
Riser, backbone, hybrid UL - 1666
OFCP
Types of Fiber Optic Cable (Most Popular Fiber Optic Cable Types)
1. Indoor Cables
Simplex Fiber Cables
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9. A single cable structure with a single fiber. Simplex cable varieties include 1.6mm & 3mm
jacket sizes.
Duplex Fiber Optic Cable
Duplex-zip. This cable contains two optical fibers in a single cable structure. Light is not
coupled between the two fibers; typically one fiber is used to transmit signals in one direction
and the other receives.
Distribution Fiber Cables
This compact building cable consists of individual 900µm buffered fiber, is smaller in size
and costs less than breakout cable. Connectors may be installed directly on 900µm buffered
fiber at breakout box location.
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10. Breakout Fiber Cables
Breakout cables are also called fanout cables. In tight buffered cables each fiber is only a
900um tight buffered fiber, but in breakout cables every fiber is a subcable by itself. Each
fiber has a 2~3mm jacket, then outer jacket covers these subcables, aramid yarn and ripcord
inside. This design allows users to divide the cable to serve users with individual fibers,
without the need for patch panel. Breakout cable enables the quick installation of connectors
onto 2+mm robust jacketed fiber.
Ribbon Fiber Cables
Consists of up to 12 fibers contained side by side within a single jacket. Often used for
network applications and data centers.
LSZH Fiber Cables
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11. Low Smoke Zero Halogen cables are offered as an alternative for halogen-free applications.
Less toxic and slower to ignite, they are a good choice for many internal installations. They
are available as simplex, duplex and 1.6mm designs. This cable may be run through risers
directly to a convenient network or splicing closet for interconnection.
2. Outdoor Fiber Cable
Indoor/outdoor Tight Buffered Fiber Cables
Indoor/outdoor rated tight buffered cables have riser and plenum rated versions. These
cables are flexible, easy to handle and simple to install. Since they do not use gel, the
connectors can be terminated directly onto the 900um fiber without difficult-to-use kits. This
provides an easy and overall less expensive installation.
Outdoor Loose Tube Fiber Optic Cables
Tube encloses multiple coated fibers that are surrounded by a gel compound that protects
the cable from moisture in outside environments. Cable is restricted from indoor use,
typically allowing entry not to exceed 50 feet.
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12. Indoor/Outdoor Dry Loose Tube Fiber Optic Cable
This cable is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. One advantage of this cable
is that it eliminates the need for a splice or connector at the point where the cable transitions
between an outdoor and indoor environment.
3. Aerial/Self-Supporting
Figure 8 Fiber Optic Cables (Aerial/Self-Supporting Fiber Cables)
Figure 8 (aerial/self-supporting) fiber cables are designed to be strung from poles outdoors
and most can also be installed in underground ducts. They have internal stress members of
steel of steel or aramid yarn that protect fibers from stress.
Aerial cable provides ease of installation and reduces time and cost. Figure 8 cable can
easily be separated between the fiber and the messenger. Temperature range -55 to +85°C.
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13. 4. Direct-buried
Armored Fiber Optic Cable
Armored cables are similar to outdoor cables but include an outer armor layer for mechanical
protection and to prevent damage. They can be installed in ducts or aerially, or directly
buried underground. Armor is surrounded by a polyethylene jacket.
Armored cable can be used for rodent protection in direct burial if required. This cable is nongel filled and can also be used in aerial applications. The armor can be removed leaving the
inner cable suitable for any indoor/outdoor use. Temperature rating -40 to +85°C.
5. Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (Undersea Fiber Optic Cable)
Submarine cables are used in fresh or salt water. To protect them from damage by fishing
trawlers and boat anchors they have elaborately designed structures and armors. Long
distance submarine cables are especially complex designed.
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