Français (France)
Nederlands (Nederland)What is a fiber optic cable?
To transport signals reliably over long distances, light signals are sent through long fibres of optically very clear glass in fiber optic connections. A glass fiber cable (125 microns or 1/8th millimetre thin) consists of a core surrounded by cladding. The core consists of clear glass through which the light signal passes. The cladding surrounds the core and is inwardly reflective so that the light signal remains in the core. Fibre optic cables are used in data centers, server rooms and in backbones in a LAN. Fiber optic is also used in video surveillance and extension in, for example, industry or during events. The light in the fibre is not subject to Electro Magnetic Inferference (EMI) and therefore fiber is insensitive to electrical interference.
Glass fibers are commonly used:
Glass fibers are commonly used:
- At long distances
- At high bandwidths
- In interference-sensitive environments
Different kinds of fiber: singlemode and multimode
There are different kinds of fiber. In telecom and the ICT market two kinds are used: singlemode and multimode fibers.
Multimode fiber for relatively short distances
Multimode fibers are used for relatively short distances and the light source is LED or VCSEL. These fibers are restricted in length and speed. There are different generations of multimode fibers available. The most common are OM3/OM4 and the most recent OM5. Which variant you should use depends on the application and whether you are extending an existing network. Multimode is a cost-effective solution at high speeds (40-400G) over short distances.
Singlemode fiber for long distances
Singlemode fibers are used for longer distances and have an endless bandwith. The light source is a laser, which is more powerful and more accurate than LED or VCSEL, but also more expensive. However, the price difference has narrowed in recent years, so singlemode is also increasingly used for short distances. Multimode and singlemode fibers are used for backbones in a LAN, or as an alternative for CAT6/6A data cables. Whether to choose singlemode or multimode depends on various factors. For questions, please contact our sales department.
Multimode fiber for relatively short distances
Multimode fibers are used for relatively short distances and the light source is LED or VCSEL. These fibers are restricted in length and speed. There are different generations of multimode fibers available. The most common are OM3/OM4 and the most recent OM5. Which variant you should use depends on the application and whether you are extending an existing network. Multimode is a cost-effective solution at high speeds (40-400G) over short distances.
Singlemode fiber for long distances
Singlemode fibers are used for longer distances and have an endless bandwith. The light source is a laser, which is more powerful and more accurate than LED or VCSEL, but also more expensive. However, the price difference has narrowed in recent years, so singlemode is also increasingly used for short distances. Multimode and singlemode fibers are used for backbones in a LAN, or as an alternative for CAT6/6A data cables. Whether to choose singlemode or multimode depends on various factors. For questions, please contact our sales department.
Fiber optic connectors
A fiber optic connector is crucial for a properly functioning fiber optic cable. ACT fiber optic connectors are made of high-quality materials, such as ziconium ceramic ferrules and offer excellent performance.
Because of the high precision and polishing process, you cannot easily assemble the glass fibre connectors on site. Welding is done by specialists in the field with expensive equipment. This is why we often choose a prefab cable. This is an installation cable that is already in the right length and equipped with connectors. ACT prefab cables come with an individual test report as standard; each fiber is tested separately.
There are over 40 different kinds of fiber optic connectors available. The most commonly used connectors are:
Because of the high precision and polishing process, you cannot easily assemble the glass fibre connectors on site. Welding is done by specialists in the field with expensive equipment. This is why we often choose a prefab cable. This is an installation cable that is already in the right length and equipped with connectors. ACT prefab cables come with an individual test report as standard; each fiber is tested separately.
There are over 40 different kinds of fiber optic connectors available. The most commonly used connectors are:
ST connector
This connector has a bayonet connection. Nowadays this connector is not advised anymore for new installations, but it is present on exisiting equipment.
SC connector
This connector is square in shape and can be polished to different angles.
LC connecor
Similar to a SC connector, but half the size and therefore very compact. Nowadays, the LC connector is the standard connection on transceivers (SFP modules) and patch panels.
MPO/MTP connector
This connector can connect over 12 fibers and is used for 40G/100G connections. In particular applied in server rooms and data centers.
Different kinds of fiber optic patch cables
Use ACT fiber optic patch cables to connect active equipment. Fiber optic patch cables are often used to patch in 19" racks. In some cases you will find fiber optic patch cables in cable ducts to bridge large distances. Fibre optic patch cables are also used to connect to fixed cabling. Fixed cabling (also called installation cabling) can be cabling inside a building but also cabling outside, for example a Fiber to the Home network.
Fiber optic patch cables are available in several types with their own application and fitted with connectors suitable for that application:
Fiber optic patch cables are available in several types with their own application and fitted with connectors suitable for that application:
Duplex patch cable
This is the most commonly used patch cable. Two cables with each one fiber are connected to each other. Available in both multi- mode and single-mode with different connectors such as LC, SC and ST.
Simplex patch cable
With these cables communication runs through 1 glass fiber and is often applied in fiber to the home. Only available in single-mode.
Polarity Twist™ patch cable
A unique solution from ACT. With the Polarity Twist you can easily and quickly adjust the polarity of a fiber optic patch cable.
MPO/MTP patch cable
These cables are particularly used in high-bandwidth environments with relatively short distances. In one cable 12 fibers are use. With a length over 20 meters we advise the use of trunk cables.
Armoured patch cable
When patch cables are exposed to extreme circumstances such as industrial environments and offshore, armoured patch cables offer more protection.
IP67 patch cable
These cables are enclosed to protect them from water and dust
Prefab cables: ready-to-use fiber optic installation cables from stock
ACT prefab cables (also called pre-terminated cables) are ready-to-use fiber optic installation cables with connectors already attached. Prefab fiber optic cables are used to connect different areas, floors or buildings with each other. The advantage of using prefab cables is that no investment is needed in tools or test equipment, since the connectors are pre-set and each prefab cable is individually tested after production and provided with a testreport. Our range of prefab cables consists of:
- Indoor/outdoor in 4/8/12 fibres in OM3/OM4/OS2, lengths from 10 till 300 meters.
- For data centers we have indoor prefabs in OM4/OS2 till 100 meters with 24 fibers.
- For high density data center applications we have MTP/MPO trunk cables in OM4 with 1/2/4 MTP/MPO connectors on both sides till 100 meters.
SFP modules (also known as fiber optic transceivers)
Intronics offers a wide range of fiber optic transceivers. These are also called SFP or mini GBIC modules. Fiber optic transceivers are used for communication between switches and servers via fiber optic. The fiber optic modules can be coded for compatibility with well-known brands of telecom and network equipment. With traditional network equipment and twisted pair (UTP) cabling, the cable is directly connected to the network device such as a switch or a server. With fiber optic the fiber optic cable is connected to an optical transceiver which is plugged into the network device. The optical transceiver is an intermediate step to enhance the flexibility of the used network devices such as switches and servers.
Patch panels, patch boxes, adapers and more
A patch panel is an ideal solution to connect your network cables in an orderly way. The ACT patch panels offer a complete solution for connecting your cables. The ACT patch panel range consists of 19" panels and enclosures with both standard as well as Multifunctional HD series. ACT also supplies patch boxes with a variety of form factors.
Fiber cleaners
A huge advantage of fiber optic cables is the possibility to send large amounts of data over long distances in a short period of time. However, it is important to minimise contamination on the connectors. Dust particles not visible to the naked eye can already cause the entire core diameter to be blocked. Fiber cleaning is therefore an essential part of high-quality fiber optic installations.
