Fiber optic cable

A fiber optic cable consists of a package of one or more optical fibers.  Packaging of the fragile glass fiber offers protection from the elements and additional tensile strength.  Fiber optic cabling provides many arrangements of optical fibers.  A single fiber may be buffered by tight or loose tubing.  Multiple fibers may be contained in a single fiber optic cable, which might then be fanned out in a distribution cable.  Fiber optic cables also offer many variations in the connectorization of the cord.  A connector on one end is called a pigtail, a cable with connectors on each end is called a patch cord or jumper, and a multi-fiber cable with a single connector on one end and multiple connectors on the other can be called a breakout.

See also: fiber, patch cord, breakout, pigtail