Outdoor cables generally use single-mode fiber, while indoor cables typically use multi-mode fiber. These two categories define how light travels through the fiber core: Transmits a single light mode; very low attenuation; supports long-distance transmission up to 100 km or more. In this article, we'll explore the different types of fiber optic cables, including Single Mode and Multi Mode, as well as Indoor and Outdoor. We'll cover single mode, multimode, and armored fiber cables below. Single mode fiber optic cable is made up of a small diameter glass or plastic core surrounded by cladding, which is a layer of reflective material. Although they can do the same job in some instances, the different construction methods make each of them better suited to certain tasks and budgets.
[PDF Version]