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Fiber Optic Color & Ratings

BASIC FIBER OPTIC PATCH CORDS JACKET COLOR CODING & SAFETY RATINGS

As per our previous topic about two types of Fiber Optic cables, Multi-Mode fiber, and Single-Mode Fiber, these types can be identified by their color-coding.

 

For Example, Single-Mode Fiber optic can be identified by its yellow color, whereas in the case of Multi-Mode Fiber, the color would be Orange.

 

This is basic and easy identification but when we talk about the high-speed laser-optimized 10 Gigabit, 50 microns, we will find a new range of identification colors with the upgrade of technology.

The aqua jacket color was introduced by Lucent technologies to identify the 50-micron Laser optimized for 10Gbps transmission speeds up to 300Mtrs at the wavelength of 850nm.

It’s easy to differentiate between Single-mode and Multimode by their colors.

 

Easy Steps to Identify Installed Cables:

 

Suppose you’re in the field and at some particular site, you have to match the installed fiber optic when there are no specs available and you don’t even have the part number of the installed fiber optic, you should follow the TIA/EIA Standards color coding.

The following easy steps would be helpful in such cases.

 

  1. Check their Jacket colors (non-Military)

The following table would be helpful to understand Non-Military Color Codes. Please note that these colors may vary for Military Color coding.

Mode Fiber Type Color Code
Single Mode OS1/OS2 Yellow
Single Mode Polarization Maintaining Blue
Multi-mode OM1 62.5/125µm Orange
Multi-mode OM2 50/125µm Orange
Multi-mode

(850 nm Laser-Optimized)

OM3 50/125 µm Aqua
Multi-mode

(850 nm Laser-Optimized)

OM4 50/125µm Aqua Erika Violet
Multi-mode OM5 10G + wideband 50/125 µm Lime Green
Multi-mode 100/140µm Orange

 

 

*** OM4 is also commonly used in Erica Violet color. Many manufacturers started manufacturing this cable in Aqua color by following Lucent technologies but some companies didn’t join them in following this color.

  1. Read the Print Legend
  • For Example OM1 <62.5/125>, OM2/OM3/OM4 <50/125>, or OS2<9/125>
  • Then Read the safety Ratings** like OFNR, OFNP, OFCR, OFCP, LSZH, OSP
  • Look deeply about the construction of the cable Like Simplex, Duplex or AIA (Aluminum Interlocking Armored)
  • In the case of Multifiber cables, that contain more than one type of fiber, printed identification on the jacket should be considered at priority to identify it because as per TIA 598C, it is allowed to use different jacket colors but only upon the availability of Print Legends.

     

    ** Jacket Safety Ratings are:

    • OFNR Stands for Optical Fiber *Non-conductive Riser
    • OFNP Stands for Optical Fiber Non-conductive Plenum
    • OFCR Stands for Optical Fiber *Conductive Riser
    • OFCP Stands for Optical Fiber Conductive Plenum
    • LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen
    • OSP Stands for Outside Plant

    * Non-Conductive means when there is no conductive component in the Jacket. Whereas Conductive means when there is metal or any other conductive component in the jacket like Armored Cable.

    • Here it would be worth mentioning that the Plenumjacket is considered to be the safest in case of fire. Because it is commonly used in plenum spaces that include the air circulation ducts below the floors or above the ceiling and is installed horizontally, whereas Riser is fewer safety ratings as they are installed in vertical riser spaces, like in the Lift Shafts or vertical cable conduits. Plenum can also be used in riser spaces but due to its expensive cost, people usually use riser-rated cables in riser spaces. In case of LSZH<Low Smoke Zero Halogen> has also a similar rating value as the plenum. The only difference between LSZH & Plenum is that in LSZH there is no Fluorine at all while in Plenum fluorine is found as an element.
    • Hope the above information would be helpful to some extent.