A fiber optic cable doesn't contain wires in the traditional electrical sense. Instead, it contains optical fibers, which are thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit data as pulses of light. The number of these fibers within a single cable can vary significantly.
The reference provided suggests that a single fiber optic cable can contain up to 276 fibers for external cables and up to 144 fibers for internal cables. The number of fibers is also dependent on how many units are inside the cable.
Here's a breakdown:
- Optical Fibers: These are the core components that carry the data. A single cable can contain just a few fibers or hundreds, depending on the application and bandwidth requirements.
- Fillers (Dummies): Depending on the number of fibers in a cable, yellow fillers or "dummies" may be added to provide structural support and maintain the cable's shape.
- Active Elements in tubes: The active elements with fiber strands are contained in protective white tubes.
- Cable Type: External cables, designed for outdoor use, often have a higher fiber count due to the demands of long-distance communication. Internal cables, used within buildings, may have fewer fibers.
In summary, a fiber optic cable does not contain wires. It contains optical fibers, and the number of these fibers can vary greatly, ranging from a few to several hundred, depending on the cable's purpose and design, with external cables generally having higher fiber counts than internal cables. The number of elements with these fibers ranges up to 23 for external cable and up to 12 for internal cable.
