Why Are Fiber Optic Cables Blue?

Did you know that there is a color code system for fiber optic cables that identifies what they’re for and how powerful they are? According to the Fiber Optic Association, the aqua and blue jackets on fiber optic cable indicates that these cables contain laser-optimized multimode 50/125 fiber. 

In several of our previous blog posts, we’ve gone into detail over the varieties of fiber optic cables available on the market and how to determine the right one for your home or business. One of the most basic things to learn about fiber optic cables is that they’re color-coded to identify their purpose. For example: an orange cable jacket indicates that the cord is an OM1 or OM2 cable, while yellow identifies a cable as OS1, or Singlemode. 

So what do the aqua blue jackets on some fiber optic cables tell us?

Aqua Blue Fiber Optic Cables are Multimode

Fiber optic cables use different “modes” to transmit the light signal. Single-mode cable uses a hair-thin core that transmits data through pulses of light along the cable. Phone, cable TV, and Internet signals usually use big bundles of single-mode fibers, which can carry signals longer distances before they need amplification.

Multi-mode fiber optic cable is more complex, and light can travel through it in various paths. These can’t carry signals as far as single mode fiber with its near-infinite bandwidth can, so they’re usually used to connect computer networks to each other. 

Multi mode fiber optic cables usually feature a standard aqua blue jacket, which might make them hard to distinguish from each other. Datacomm manufactures both our OM3 and OM4 cables in the US, and they're assembled using high-quality materials for optimum performance. But there are different types of multi mode fiber cables! 

OM3 and OM4 Multimode Fiber Optic Cables

OM3 fiber optic cable is rated for 10GB up to 300 meters. They're capable of transmitting at speeds at 40GB up to 150 meters, or even 100GB up to 100 meters, and are also fully compatible with our OM4 40GB cables. Products like our 10GB LC/ST Duplex 50/125 Multimode Fiber Patch Cables feature an aqua Riser-rated jacket and come in a slim 2mm diameter that makes them ideal for installation in dense network switches, where every bit of space counts. 

Meanwhile, our OM4 fiber optic cords can achieve 40GB performance over 150 meters, and 100GB over 100 meters. Like our OM3 cables, these fiber patch cables are a big step up from copper cables. You can purchase your OM4 LC/LC Duplex 40GB 50/125 Fiber Patch Cable with a plenum jacket, meaning that it's been approved by local fire codes for in-wall installation. Our OM4 cables are available in the same variety of configurations as the OM3 cables, but it's important to keep in mind that whichever cable you decide on for your data network, you'll always have the option of purchasing in custom colors and lengths from Cables.com. 

Buy Fiber Optic Cables at Cables.com

Cables.com offers a wide variety of ready-made Fiber Optic Cables, Fiber Optic Patch Cables, and Fiber Optic Connectors. You can choose to purchase our Fiber Optic Cable in Bulk and Custom Made Fiber Cables for any application and installation in professional and home environments. We want to meet all your data network needs, from the cables themselves to the tools and accessories you'll need to keep them operating at their very best. If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us or email us at sales@cables.com. You can also reach us by phone at 1-800-372-3725. We're located in New York State, where our Datacomm cables are proudly manufactured. We look forward to working with you!

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