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Fibre Optic Cables

Fibre optic cables carry network data as light, over distances and through electrical noise that copper cannot handle. This collection holds fibre such as Connectix Starlight loose tube, steel tape armoured and SWA bulk cable, Connectix tight buffered cable, Belden and Hikvision loose tube cable, Connectix LC, SC and ST patch leads and pigtails, Ruijie 10G SFP+ active optical cables and an Optex fibre sensor cable for perimeter security.

Choosing Fibre Optic Cables

Choose fibre by mode first, multimode or singlemode, then by the construction the route needs and the connectors the link needs.

Multimode or singlemode

Connectix patch leads such as the 005-662-100-08B LC to LC come in multimode OM1 (62.5/125), OM2, OM3 and OM4 (50/125) specifications, while the 005-924-030-01B is an OS2 9/125 singlemode duplex lead. The Belden GUSL812.T32100 singlemode OS2 cable is designed for long-distance data transmission. Match the grade to the fibre already installed and to the optics it connects.

Cable construction

Connectix Starlight uni-loose tube cable such as the 002-005-004-24 has a flame retardant, UV stabilised LSZH jacket for internal and external runs. The tight buffered 002-005-004-28 carries CPR Euroclass Cca-s1a-d0-a1 and suits shorter outdoor runs. For harsh routes, steel tape armoured cable such as the 002-005-014-04LS is rodent proof, and SWA cable such as the 002-005-025-04 is made for direct burial.

Patch leads, pigtails and AOC

Connectix patch leads are terminated LC to LC, LC to SC and ST to ST, among others, and run from 1m to 30m. Pigtails such as the 005-710-010-01B are fusion spliced onto bulk cable. For switch links, the Ruijie XG-SFP-AOC1M, XG-SFP-AOC3M and XG-SFP-AOC5M are 10G SFP+ active optical cables.

TypeExampleConstructionTypical route
Uni-loose tubeConnectix 002-005-004-24LSZH jacketInternal and external backbones
Tight bufferedConnectix 002-005-004-28OM3, rodent resistantLAN and WAN backbones, ducts
Steel tape armouredConnectix 002-005-014-04LSCorrugated steel tapeHarsh external routes
SWAConnectix 002-005-025-040.9mm galvanised wireDirect burial, tunnels
Loose tubeBelden GUSL812.T3210012-fibre OS2, LSZHIndoor and outdoor
Active optical cableRuijie XG-SFP-AOC5M10G SFP+, DDMBetween racks

Brands we stock in Fibre Optic Cables

Belden, Connectix Cabling Systems, Hikvision, Optex, Ruijie and Vanco.

Connectix Cabling Systems supplies most of this range, including its Starlight bulk cables and patch leads.

Related categories

Uplink into network switches and PoE, convert to copper with fibre media converters, use Ethernet cables for shorter copper runs, or terminate at patch panels.

Frequently asked questions

What is the transmission speed of fibre optic cable?

The data rate on fibre optic cable is set mainly by the transceivers at either end rather than by the glass itself. A given multimode or singlemode fibre can often carry a higher speed later by changing the optics, though the usable distance shortens as speeds rise. Singlemode fibre usually suits long, high-speed links. The range here includes multimode and singlemode cable and active optical cables.

What is a fibre optic cable?

A fibre optic cable carries data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass, protected by coatings and an outer sheath. Light signals are not affected by electrical interference and reach much further than signals on copper network cable. Loose tube cable usually suits outdoor and backbone runs, while tight buffered cable suits indoor routes. The range here includes loose tube, tight buffered and armoured cable.

How are fibre optic cables joined?

Fibre optic cables are joined by fusion splicing, where an electric arc welds two cleaved fibres together, or by mechanical splices that hold the ends in line. Bulk cable is often finished by splicing pigtails on in a splice tray, then linked with connectorised patch leads. A fusion splice usually loses less light than a mechanical one. The range here includes a pigtail and LC, SC and ST patch leads.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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