Fibre Optic Cables can transmit at different speeds over varying lengths depending on their size. Fibre optic cables generally come in either Multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) or
Singlemode (OS1, OS2). Please see the table below for different speeds and maximum run length for each type of cable:
| 10100 | Gigabit | 10GB | 40GB | 100GB | |
| OM1 | 2000m | 275m | 33m | x | x |
| OM2 | 2000m | 550m | 82m | 100m | 100m |
| OM3 | 2000m | 800m | 300m | 100m | 100m |
| OM4 | 2000m | 1100m | 550m | 150m | 150m |
| OS1 | 40km | 40km | 40km | 40km | 40km |
Multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) fibre can carry multiple light rays at the same time with light travelling down the middle (shortest path).
Multimode Fibre Cable simplifies connections and this means active equipment such as media converters and switches capable of taking fibre cost less.
Multimode is available in two core sizes, 62.5/125(OM1) and 50/125(OM2) microns.
OM3 & OM4 are laser enhanced versions of 50/125(OM2)
Shop Multimode Fibre Optic Patch Leads
Singlemode (OS1, OS2) fibre has a much smaller core size of 9 microns and has a single light path and can travel much longer distances of up to 100km.
This requires more expensive active equipment such as media converters and Switches. Therefore Multimode fibre tends to be more cost-effective in most applications.
Shop Singlemode Fibre Optic Patch Leads