The advancement of technology has allowed us to connect with one another more efficiently than ever before and to make life easier. In this technological world, networking is an essential aspect that many rely on, and fiber optic cables make networking easier. Fiber optic cables have many parts that help the connections of a network, and each component has an important role in the cable.

Fibers

The fibers in an optical fiber cable consist of glass, and the cable has one or more of them. Since the cable directs light projections that act as signals of data and internet speed, it will need a form of glass to bend the light until it reaches its destination effectively. The glass of the cable is held chiefly inside the core where light transmits from and creates a connection.

Core

The core is one of the primary components of the optical fiber cable and sits at the center of the cable, and is the center of each fiber optic strand. A single cable may have up to 24 cores, depending on its thickness. The number of cores will determine the cable’s connection strength, as more light will transmit through it.

Cladding

The cladding is the layer that surrounds the core and is thicker. Other cables will have a layer of plastic around the wires that act as insulation to keep electricity from escaping. The cladding component in an optical fiber cable works the same way; it creates a surrounding layer of coating that prevents light from escaping and causing interference within the signal or dampening the strength.

Coating

The coating is the final layer of fiber optic cables and acts as the main defense for these cables. The coating has multiple layers of plastic that create a tight shell that protects the fibers from damage and keeps the core and the cladding together. Without the coating, the other components would become vulnerable to damage and may come undone in the right circumstances.

Optical fiber cables are essential for networking and will strengthen your network with a great connection. Understanding the components of these cables will make finding the best options easier for you.