Core Materials
As of now, there are three major types of fiber optic cable available, designated by their core, or the optically transparent fiber that transmits light. They are:
- Polymer/plastic optical fiber (POF)
- Polymer-clad optical fiber (PCF-OF)
- Glass optical fiber (GOF)
These different types of fiber lend themselves to different applications due to their durability, signal loss per unit length, and other properties. While GOF has been the most popular technology in the telecommunications industry, FiberFin specializes in POF.
Types of Cable
The type of insulation, protective jacket, and strength members determine what the fiber optic cable can be used for. Different types include:
- Patch cable
- Indoor distribution cable
- Industrial breakout cable
- Armored cable
- Aerial cable
Each of these is designed for particular environments, where different pulling strengths, water protection, loading tolerances, and fire code ratings are required.
References
O. Ziemann et al., POF Handbook. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2008.
A. Weinert., Plastic Optical Fibers. Munich, Germany: Publicis MCD Verbeagentur GmbH, 1999.
(2014) The FOA Reference For Fiber Optics – Fiber Optic Cable [Online]. Available: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/basic/cable.html