Back to: FC (Fibre Channel) fundamentals
Fiber optic cables are classified based on their core diameter, which determines how light travels through the fiber. The two main types are single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF).
Types of Fiber Optic Cables by Diameter
1. Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)
- Core Diameter: 8-10 microns (µm)
- Cladding Diameter: 125 µm
- Wavelengths Used: 1310 nm, 1550 nm
- Distance: Up to 100 km or more
- Application: Long-distance communication, high-speed data transmission
2. Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)
- Core Diameter: 50 µm or 62.5 µm
- Cladding Diameter: 125 µm
- Wavelengths Used: 850 nm, 1300 nm
- Distance: Short to medium distances (up to 2 km)
- Application: LAN, data centers, short-haul communication
Subtypes of Multi-Mode Fiber:
- OM1 – Core: 62.5 µm, Max Distance: 275m at 850nm
- OM2 – Core: 50 µm, Max Distance: 550m at 850nm
- OM3 – Core: 50 µm, Laser-optimized, Max Distance: 300m at 850nm
- OM4 – Core: 50 µm, Enhanced for higher speeds, Max Distance: 550m at 850nm
- OM5 – Core: 50 µm, Supports SWDM (Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing)