The size of a fiber optic cable can vary greatly depending on the type of cable, its intended use, and the number of fibers it contains.
- Single-mode fiber typically has a core diameter of 9 microns (8.3 microns to be exact) and is used for long-distance network connections.
- Multimode fiber, used for shorter distances, comes in two sizes: 50 microns and 62.5 microns.
Both types of fiber optic cables have a cladding diameter of 125 microns.
In addition to the core and cladding size, the overall diameter of the fiber optic cable is also influenced by the number of fibers it contains, the type of jacket, and other protective layers. For example, a 3456 fiber cable can have a diameter of 32mm (~1.3 inches), while a 1728 fiber cable can have a diameter of 25mm (~1 inch).
The thickness of a typical fiber optic cable can be compared to a coaxial cable, with the fiber optic cable being about 1/3 the thickness. The connectors on the ends of a fiber optic cable can be slightly larger than those found on coaxial cables.
Overall, fiber optic cables are typically thinner and lighter than traditional copper cables, allowing for smaller and more flexible installations.
