Everything You Need To Know About Fiber Cable Types

Today’s fast-paced world requires higher bandwidth and that data should move at the speed of light to keep up with the growing need for higher bandwidth. Wondering which technology can make this possible? 

The answer is fiber optic cable installation. Fiber optics cable contractors can help you with it. Fiber optic cables offer faster speeds and greater bandwidth compared to traditional cables. The two types of fiber cables include single-mode and multi-mode. 

But this does not end here. The multi-mode cables have further subtypes such as OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4. Let us dig deeper into each of these cable types in the blog outlined below. 

Fiber Optic Cable Types 

Looking to get fiber optic cable installation done at your business but have no idea about the different cable types? Your search ends here. Here are the different fiber optic cable types. 

OM1 and OM2 Fiber Optic Cables

OM1 and OM2 were the standard cables back in the 1990s and 2000s but are obsolete these days. Even the wiring standards do not mention these cable types. 

Their bandwidth and the cable length were the primary reasons these cables became outdated. OM1 could support 10 Gbps, but only for 33 meters meaning it was used for shorter distances. 

You can get to see these cables in some older installations. The outer coating of the cable known as the cable jacket protects the delicate fiber inside it. 

OM3 Fiber Optic Cable

The next is OM3 fiber optic cable. In terms of looks, it looks the same as OM2 cable but it has high-quality core material which in turn allows for better light propagation. Consequently, light patterns arrive at the other end of the cable at different times which in turn reduces the effectiveness of cable in longer distances.

Speaking about its price, OM3 cable is twice the price of OM2 and is much more costly. Here are some benefits of OM3 cable: 

• A speed of 100 Gbps, and a greater bandwidth than OM2. 

• 4 times more improvement than OM2 as it can run 10 Gbps for 300 meters

OM4 Fiber Optic Cable 

OM4 is much better in performance than OM3. It has improved fiber core material, and its manufacturing allows for another big boost over OM3. But it is double the price of the previous one on average.

Some notable benefits of OM4 cables include:

• Much greater bandwidth than OM3 cables.

• Speed of 550 meters for 10 Gbps

Key Differences Between OM3 and OM4

The three main differences between OM3 and OM4 fiber cable types are bandwidth, cable length, and cost. OM4 has greater bandwidth over the longest distance and scores high in all three but at a greater cost. 

OM3 is sufficient and might be suitable for shorter distances but if you are looking for longer distances, then OM4 is a much better option. 

Choosing Between OM3 and OM4 Fiber Cable

There are some factors to consider when deciding which fiber optic cable to choose between OM3 and OM4. The factors include: 

Network requirements- Get requirements from the business and if they need it for shorter distances, then OM3 is the best but if longer distances, then consider opting for OM4.

Future scalability- Most importantly, consider whether you can scale your network in the long term or not. For instance, if you need higher bandwidth in the future, then OM4 is the best investment. 

Budget- Lastly, there is a budget. If you have a tight budget, then consider going for OM3. 

Choosing The Best Fiber Optic Cable Contractors

Confused among so many fiber optic cable contractors and wondering how to choose the one for your business? Here’s how you can choose the right fiber optics installer. 

Pay heed to expertise 

One crucial factor when choosing the fiber optic installer is his expertise. Look for contractors who have prior experience and a proven track record of fiber optic cable installation. Also, check the quality of work from their previous clients. 

Quality of equipment 

Choose the fiber optic cable contractor that uses good quality equipment during the installation as this ensures the performance of your network. Otherwise, using inferior equipment can reduce the network's lifespan and increase maintenance costs. 

Pricing options 

Request the fiber optics installer to share the quote with you, compare it, and decide if it fits your budget or not. Bear this thing that cheap is not always the best. 

Safety protocols 

Fiber optic cable installation involves delicate materials and sophisticated equipment which is why you must make sure that the contractor abides with the safety protocols. 

Wrapping Up

Understood the different fiber optic cable types? The next way forward? Keep the above-stated factors in mind to hire the right fiber optic cable contractors for your business and experience the best network.