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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:

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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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 fire-

retardant 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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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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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

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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Tight Buffered Fiber Optic Cable Sample

Structure of a Tight Buffered Cable

Elements in a tight buffered fiber optic cable

1. Multiple 900um tight buffered fibers (stranded around the central strength

member)

2. Central strength member (in the center of the cable)

3. Aramid Yarn (trade name Kevlar, Kevlar was developed by Dupont)

(wrapped around the fibers, for physical protection and cable pulling)

4. Ripcord (for easy removal of outer jacket)

5. 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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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 direct-

buried applications.

Fiber Optic Loose Tube Cable Samples

Structure of a Loose Tube Cable

Elements in a loose tube fiber optic cable:

1. Multiple 250um coated bare fibers (in loose tube)

2. One or more loose tubes holding 250um bare fibers. Loose tubes strand

around the central strength member.

3. Moisture blocking gel in each loose tube for water blocking and protection of

250um fibers

4. Central strength member (in the center of the cable and is stranded around

by loose tubes)

5. Aramid Yarn as strength member

6. Ripcord (for easy removal of outer jacket)

7. 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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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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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 Possible

Substitute

OFNP

Optical Fiber

Nonconductive

Plenum Cable

Plenum, overhead, fiber

only UL - 910

OFCP

Optical Fiber

Conductive Plenum

Cable

Plenum, overhead, hybrid

(fiber/wire) UL - 910

OFNR

Optical Fiber

Nonconductive Rise

Cable

Riser, backbone, fiber

only UL - 1666 OFNP

OFCR

Optical Fiber

Conductive Rise

Cable

Riser, backbone, hybrid UL - 1666 OFCP

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

Types of Fiber Optic Cable (Most Popular Fiber Optic Cable Types)

1. Indoor Cables

Simplex Fiber Cables

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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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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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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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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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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 non-

gel 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.