The
Fiber Optic Association
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Fiber Optic Cable
Plant Nomenclature
Multimode Premises Cable Plants
Since
the introduction of Gigabit Ethernet, we've seen premises cabling,
designed to carry gigabit and 10 gigabit traffic using 850 nm VCSEL
(laser) transmitters, moving toward standardization on 50/125
laser-optimized fiber (now universally called OM3 fiber for it's
international standards designation) often with LC connectors to match
the manufacturers' standard for VCSEL transceivers. OM3 cabling even
has it's own color, aqua, specified in TIA-598.
If you are planning,
designing, installing or using high speed premises fiber optic
networks, you should probably be recommending and using OM3
fiber
and LC connectors. Within the industry, this is becoming a "de facto"
standard known as "OM3 cabling." One big advantage of using a full OM3
cabling standard is that the cabling is easily identifiable by the aqua
color and cannot be interconnected with legacy cabling.
Using this
nomenclature does not specify a type of cable. Unlike
Category-rated UTP, fiber optic cable is available in several types
(zipcord, distribution or breakout) to allow choosing a cable for the
installation, saving space, weight, and, since numerous links can be
combined into one multifiber cable, installation costs.
The FOA is
encouraging all FOA-Approved schools to adopt the OM3 nomenclature in
their training. We've added this recommendation to the FOA User's Page
and will add it to the NECA/FOA 301
standard when revised.
Here is an example of the "OM3 Cabling" spec for designers to use in
documentation:
The
fiber optic cable plant will be type OM3 cabling, using laser optimized
(OM3) fiber in a cable with aqua colored jacket, terminated with LC
type connectors and mating adapters all colored aqua. Individual fiber
cable runs will be specified by number of fibers and cable type (riser,
plenum, indoor-outdoor, etc.) required by the actual installation.
Here is a table of recommended nomenclature for all fiber optic cabling
types to help specify a cable plant.
| Cabling System Name |
Fiber
Type |
Connector
Type |
Cable Type (Premises, + fiber count) |
| OM3 |
OM3 - 50/125 laser optimized |
OM3 - (default LC)
OM3/ST - ST connector
OM3/SC - SC connector |
Zipcord
Distribution
Breakout |
| OM2 |
OM2 - 50/125 |
OM2/ST - ST connector
OM2/SC - SC connector
OM2/LC - LC connector |
Same |
| OM1 |
OM1 - 62.5/125 |
OM1/ST - ST connector
OM1/SC - SC connector |
Same |
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Fiber Optic Association,
Inc.
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