At Top Cable we have a wide range of fiber optic cables for optimum mechanical protection designed and produced by our team of experts. Fiber optic cables are to keep external electromagnetic energy from getting into the cable and corrupting the data travelling down it. Top Cables’ fiber optic cables are high performance solutions for industrial and infrastructure.
What is a fiber optic cable?
An optical fiber, or optical fibre, is a flexible glass or plastic fiber that can transmit light from one end to the other. Such fibers find wide usage in fiber-optic communications, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data transfer rates) than electrical cables. Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss and are immune to electromagnetic interference.
What are the advantages of fiber optic cables?
What is a loose tube Fiber Optic cable?
Loose-tube fiber optic cables feature fibers that are placed inside a loose-fitting tube. This construction allows the fibers to move freely inside the tube, reducing the amount of stress on the fibers. This construction is typically for long-distance applications and allows the cable to withstand temperature changes and mechanical stress.
What is the purpose of loose tube fiber optic cable?
Loose-tube fiber optic cables are specifically designed for harsh outdoor environments. They protect the fibre core, cladding, and coating by enclosing everything within semi-rigid protective sleeves or tubes. Many loose-tube cables also have a water-resistant gel that surrounds the fibres, protecting them from moisture.
What is the difference between loose tube & tight-buffered fiber optic cables?
The difference between tight-buffered and loose-tube fiber optic cables is in the way the fibers are protected and packaged within the cable.
When do loose tube cables perform best than tight-buffered FO cables?
The choice between loose-tube fiber optic cables or tight-buffered depend on the application and the distance that the signal needs to travel, as well as the level of protection and flexibility required for the fibers.
Loose tube FO cables are more suitable for outdoor and long-distance applications. Tight-buffered cables are much more expensive than loose-tube cables, and hold less fibers versus loose-tube cables using a similar diameter due to the difference of the 900μm fiber and the 250μm fiber.
What are the differences between indoor and outdoor optical fibers?
Indoor fiber optic cables have lower tensile strength and are more brittle. Nevertheless, they are also lighter and cheaper. This type of optical fiber is mainly used for the internal wiring of buildings and for the interconnection of network equipment.
What are the differences between single mode fibers and multimode fibers?
Multimode fiber supports hundreds of transmission modes. This type of fiber has the advantage of high bandwidth and low cost. It is suitable for transmission over short distances (less than 2000 metros).
Singlemode fiber can only transmit one mode of signal wave. Since the optical signal in single-mode fibers only travels in a straight line, the transmission bandwidth is very wide. Therefore, single-mode fibers are suitable for backbone communications systems, high capacity and long distance.
Singlemode fibers use a laser diode as a light source. So, its price is slightly higher.
Currently, single-mode fibers are used more, while multimode fibers are being phased out.
How is the number of cores in optical fiber determined?
The number of cores of the fiber optic cable is mainly related to the application system. Determining the number of fiber cores depends on how many fiber cores are used in the specific application, plus the number of redundant cores on the line.
What is the composition of a fiber optic cable?
A fiber optic cable is composed of the core, cladding, coating, strengthening fibers and cable jacket, with its core and cladding being the two main elements. The core is the light transmission area of the fiber. The cladding is the layer completely surrounding the core. Surrounding the cladding is usually another layer, called a coating.
How do fiber optics cables work?
Fiber optic cables transmit data with remarkable speed and efficiency. At the heart of these cables are thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic, known as optical fibers. These fibers are the conduits through which light signals travel, carrying vast amounts of data across great distances.
The magic behind fiber optic cables lies in the principle of total internal reflection. Light signals are modulated to carry data, and they travel through the fibers by means of this fundamental optical phenomenon. Total internal reflection occurs when light strikes the boundary between two materials with different refractive indices. In simpler terms, when light moves from a denser medium to a less dense one, it can be reflected back into the denser medium if the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.
What are the advantages of using fiber optics cables?
What are the different types of fiber optics cables?
How to install fiber optics cables properly?
Proper installation of fiber optic cables involves careful planning, adherence to safety measures, the use of appropriate tools, and meticulous testing. By following these steps and documenting the process, you can ensure that your fiber optic network operates efficiently and reliably.
What are the attenuation levels for different types of fiber optics cables?
Attenuation, or the loss of light signal as it travels through a fiber optic cable, is a critical factor in determining the quality and distance of data transmission. Understanding attenuation levels for different types of fiber optic cables is essential for optimizing network performance. The type of fiber, the material used, and the wavelength of light being transmitted all significantly impact the amount of attenuation.
Attenuation is measured in decibels per kilometer (dB/km) and is influenced by various factors, including the wavelength of the light being transmitted. Temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress, and the presence of contaminants can all impact the attenuation levels in fiber optic cables. .
How do environmental factors affect the performance of fiber optics cables?
Environmental factors play a significant role in the performance and longevity of fiber optic cables. By taking proactive measures to mitigate the effects of temperature fluctuations, humidity, physical vibrations, and chemical exposure, network operators can ensure the long-term reliability and performance of their fiber optic infrastructure.
