Fiber Optic Cable Notes

Fiber Anatomy:

1: Buffer coating- Strengthens fibers for connections and protects fibers; 900
microns (um)
2: Themoplastic coating- Protects the glass fibers from damage and impurities;
250 microns
3: Cladding- Made of glass, coveres the core and reflects the light passing
through; 125 microns4: Core- Also made of glass, light travels through this portion; 62.5, 50, or 8.3
microns

Single-mode fibers:

The core is 8.3um

One strand of light travels almost straight through the core
Utilizes lasers for light transmission
Best bandwidth
Most expensive because of the laser transmission

Multi-mode fibers:

The core is 62.5 or 50um

Transmits multiple strands of light

Uses L.E.Ds or VCSELs (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers) to transmit light
Least expensive methods of transmission

Cable Types:
OM1 - 62.5um core, orange sheathe for inside installation, black for outside, uses L.E.Ds,
10Mbps-1Gbps
OM2 50um core, orange sheathe for inside installation, black for outside, uses L.E.Ds, better
bandwidth than OM1
OM3 50um core, aqua jacket, uses VCSELs, 10-100Gbps
OM4 50um core, aqua jacket, uses VCSELs, 10-100Gbps, higher bandwidth than OM3
OS2 8.3um core, yellow jacket, uses lasers, best bandwidth

Tight Buffer v.s Loose-Tube

Loose-tube - Two buffer coated wires containing 12 fibers each. Allows for thermal expansion
and contraction
Tight-buffered Each fiber has its own individual buffer coating

Fiber-Optic Cable Connector Terminations

(Based on Cornings connector installation kit)
Step 1: Remove the connector dust caps; put the connector in the installation tool
by holding the black button to raise the locking mechanism and insert the lead-intube flat-side down
Step 2: Check to make sure you can see the laser from the lead-in tube.
Step 3: Take the miller tool (fiber stripers) and strip off the buffer coating and
then the thermoplastic coating. DO NOT BEND SIDEWAYS!
Step 4: Clean with 99% isopropyl alcohol wipes. Only one or two swipes.
Step 5: Hold the red and black buttons on the cleaver, and insert the stripped
glass end; release to hold. Press the buttons in this order: red, blue, black.
Remove cleaved end.
Step 6: Hold the blue button of the installation tool, and insert the cleaved end
into the lead-in tube of the connector, then release to secure
Step 7: If the light is green, rotate the green handle once, open and remove the
connector, and press the reset button.
Step 8: Remove the glass scrap from the cleaver and slide the boot over the leadin tube.