What Kinds of Multimode Fiber Optic Cables Are There?

Multimode fiber optic cables all have cores made up of several strands of fiber material in order to be able to transmit more than one data signal at a time. While they aren't as fast as single mode fiber optic cables, they're a reliable and affordable option for those investing in fiber optic connections.

What is Multimode Fiber Optic Cable?

Multimode fiber optic cables all have cores made up of several strands of fiber material in order to be able to transmit more than one data signal at a time. If the first thing to learn about fiber optic cables is the difference between single mode and multimode fiber, a close second is the various types of multimode cables available. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and as of 2016, OM5 multimode cables all have their place in the industry today. 

The thicker, multimode fiber optic cables can handle high bandwidth and faster transmissions but only over short distances. One multimode cable can handle what would take several singlemode cables to accomplish.

Multimode Fiber Optic Cable Types

With some exceptions, you can quickly determine what type a multimode fiber optic cable is by the color of its jacket material. Both OM3 and OM4 cables may have aqua jacket color, though only OM4s will ever have a violet (purple) color jacket. This means that while not all OM4 fiber optic cables are violet, all violet wires are OM4, and OM5 wires will have a green jacket color - unless you're purchasing custom color cables, that is. Because of these instances of overlapping jacket colors, it’s important to check the printed information on or about the multimode cable to make sure you’re getting and using the type you need.

What's more important than the color of your cable is, of course, the differences inside each of these multimode fiber optic cables, both structurally and in terms of performance. Our OM1 LC to LC fiber optic cables, for example, feature a 62.5u micron multimode riser-rated orange jacket, with duplex LC UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) polished connectors on either end. Both our OM1 and OM2 Fiber Optic Cables are available in the 50/125 LC/LC Duplex Multimode, 50 Micron Colored Fiber Optic Cables, 50/125 LC/SC Fiber Optic Cables, 50/125 LC/ST Fiber Optic Cables, 50/125/ MTRJ/MTRJ Fiber Optic Cables and 50/125 SC/SC Fiber Optic Cables in varying lengths and configurations. These cables have been machine-tested before making their way to our customers, with the results available in the bag so you can be sure you're getting a product that will meet your expectations.

Our OM3 and OM4 optical fiber cables, generally recognizable by their 50/125 riser-rated aqua blue jackets, are ideal for professional data center installations. Our 10GB OM3 fiber optic cables are compatible with both OM2 and OM4 cables, are rated for up to 300 meters and can reliably transmit signal at 40GB up to 150 meters or 100GB up to 100 meters. They're available in a slim 2mm diameter for use in dense network switches in data racks and you also have the option of purchasing your OM3 LC to LC fiber optic cable with flexible boots, which will allow them to be bent up to 90 degrees on each end. 

Our OM4 fiber optic cables come in similar configurations, and like our OM3 cables can be purchased with plenum jackets. Plenum cables are built for use in little-accessed areas of a building, like between walls or beneath floor panels, and are plenum-rated when they're manufactured to be self-extinguishing, flame retardant and UV resistant. 

Finally, let's take a look at our OM5 fiber optic cables. OM5 fiber optic cables utilize some of the latest technology in the networking industry. These cables were specifically designed to handle high-speed data center applications and can transfer up to 100GB of data with ease. With the technology introduced to OM5 cables, the wavelengths increase each fiber's capacity by at least a factor of four (there's either a fourfold data-rate increase or a fourfold reduction in the fibers required to achieve a given data rate). The signals are sent down one fiber over four separate operating windows. Our OM5 cables feature green 50/125 riser-rated jackets with the same high quality duplex connectors you'll find in our other Datacomm cables for some of the most competitive prices on the market!

Questions?

Unsure of what cables are best for you? Visit our Quick Patch Finder for Network Cables and Power Cordsfor some assistance. This handy engine allows you to browse a variety of lengths and uses based on you and/or your organization's particular needs. You can also reach out to us directly at 631-617-5190, or at (800) 372-3725 Toll Free. To contact us online, fill in the form and we'll message you in response so we can get to work meeting your data needs. 

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