Multimode fiber optic cable fiber type

Multimode fiber optic cables are classified into several types: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5, each designed for specific applications and performance characteristics.

Overview of Multimode Fiber Types

1. OM1:

   • Core Size: 62.5 µm
   • Bandwidth: 200 MHz·km at 850 nm
   • Maximum Distance: Up to 33 meters for 10 Gigabit Ethernet; typically used for 100 Megabit Ethernet applications.
   • Jacket Color: Orange
   • Light Source: LED

2. OM2:

   • Core Size: 50 µm
   • Bandwidth: 500 MHz·km at 850 nm
   • Maximum Distance: Up to 82 meters for 10 Gigabit Ethernet; commonly used for 1 Gigabit Ethernet applications.
   • Jacket Color: Orange
   • Light Source: LED

3. OM3:

   • Core Size: 50 µm
   • Bandwidth: 2000 MHz·km at 850 nm
   • Maximum Distance: Up to 300 meters for 10 Gigabit Ethernet; supports 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters.
   • Jacket Color: Aqua
   • Light Source: Laser-optimized (VCSEL)

4. OM4:

   • Core Size: 50 µm
   • Bandwidth: 4700 MHz·km at 850 nm
   • Maximum Distance: Up to 550 meters for 10 Gigabit Ethernet; backward compatible with OM3.
   • Jacket Color: Aqua
   • Light Source: Laser-optimized (VCSEL)

5. OM5:

   • Core Size: 50 µm
   • Bandwidth: 2000 MHz·km at 850 nm (similar to OM3 but optimized for short wavelength division multiplexing)
   • Maximum Distance: Similar to OM4, but designed for more advanced applications.
   • Jacket Color: Lime Green
   • Light Source: Laser-optimized

Applications

• Short-Distance Communication: Multimode fibers are primarily used for short-distance data transmission, such as within buildings, campus networks, and data centers.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Due to their larger core size, multimode fibers are generally less expensive to produce than single-mode fibers, making them a popular choice for local area networks (LANs) and enterprise applications.

Conclusion

When selecting a multimode fiber optic cable, consider the specific requirements of your application, including bandwidth needs, transmission distance, and the type of light source used. Each type of multimode fiber offers distinct advantages that cater to different networking scenarios .