Chapter 16. Fiber Optic Cables and Connectors

Fiber optic Ethernet systems are based on multimode and single-mode fiber optic cables and connectors. Depending on the speed of the Ethernet media system and the type and wavelength of fiber optic transmitters used in the system, the behavior of fiber optic media can vary. This is especially true for the Gigabit Ethernet fiber optic system, which sends very high frequency signals over fiber optic cable.

This chapter begins with a description of the fiber optic cable issues that are common to all fiber optic Ethernet media systems. Following that is a description of the fiber optic issues specific to each Ethernet media system. The Gigabit Ethernet media section is the largest, since this system has the widest variety of fiber optic characteristics to describe.

Fiber Optic Cable

There are a wide variety of fiber optic cable types, which are used according to the task at hand. Fiber optic patch cords typically consist of two fibers, either multimode or single-mode depending on your requirements. Patch cords can be equipped with whatever fiber optic connector you need at each end of the cable. There are companies who will build fiber optic cables to meet your requirements, and can often ship them to you within a day or two after you place the order.

Fiber optic horizontal cables are sometimes installed as part of a structured cabling system. However, in the vast majority of structured cabling systems today, Category 5 or 5e twisted-pair ...

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