10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

2 25 Try Premium for

Home My Network Jobs Messaging Notifications Me For Business ₫0

Fiber Optic Cable Types:

Single Mode vs
Multimode Fiber Cable
Tina Liu
Business Improvement Manager/ Electronic 12 articles Follow
Specialist

September 9, 2022

Open Immersive Reader

Although single mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber

(MMF) optic cable types are widely used in diverse
applications, the differences between single mode fiber and
multimode fiber optic cables are still confusing. This article
will focus on the basic construction, fiber distance, cost,
fiber color, etc., to make an in-depth comparison between
single mode and multimode fiber types.

Overview of Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Optic Cable

Single mode means the fiber enables one type of light

mode to be propagated at a time. While multimode means
the fiber can propagate multiple modes. The differences
between single mode and multimode fiber optic cable
mainly lie in fiber core diameter, wavelength & light source,
bandwidth, color sheath, distance and cost.

Core Diameter

Single mode fiber core diameter is much smaller than

multimode fiber. Its typical core diameter is 9 µm even if
there are others available. And multimode fiber core
diameter is 50 µm and 62.5 µm typically, which enables it to
have higher "light gathering" ability and simplify
connections. The cladding diameter of single mode and
multimode fiber is 125 µm.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 1/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

The attenuation of multimode fiber is higher than SM fiber

because of its larger core diameter. The fiber core of single
mode cable is very narrow, so the light that passes through
these fiber optical cables is not reflected too many times,
which keeps the attenuation to a minimum.

Wavelength & Light Source

Due to the large core size of multimode fiber, some low-

cost light sources like LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and
VCSELs (vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers) that works at
the 850nm and 1300nm wavelength are used in multimode
fiber cables. While the single mode fiber often uses a laser
or laser diodes to produce light injected into the cable. And
the commonly used single mode fiber wavelength is 1310
nm and 1550 nm.

Bandwidth

Multimode fiber bandwidth is limited by its light mode and

the maximum bandwidth at present is 28000MHz*km of
OM5 fiber. While single mode fiber bandwidth is unlimited
theoretically because it allows only one light mode to pass
through at a time.

Color Sheath

According to the TIA-598C standard definition, for non-

military applications, single mode cable is coated with
yellow outer sheath, and multimode fiber is coated with
orange or aqua jacket. Find more details about the Fiber
Optic Cable Color Code here.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 2/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Distance

It’s known that single mode fiber is suitable for long-

distance applications, while multimode optical fiber is
designed for short-distance runs. Then when it comes to
single mode vs multimode fiber distance, what’s the
quantifiable differences?

From the chart, we can see that single mode fiber distance
is much longer than that of multimode fiber cables at the
data rate from 1G to 10G, but OM3/OM4/OM5 multimode
fiber supports a higher data rate. Because multimode
optical fiber has a large core size and supports more than
one light mode, its fiber distance is limited by modal
dispersion which is a common phenomenon in multimode
step-index fiber. While single mode fiber is not. That’s the
essential difference between them. In addition, OS2 single
mode fiber could support longer distances in 40G and 100G
links, which is not listed in the table.

Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cost

“Single mode vs multimode fiber cost” is a hot topic in

some forums. Numbers of people have expressed their own
opinions. Their views mainly focus on the optical transceiver
cost, system cost and installation cost.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 3/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

Optical Transceiver Cost

Compared to single-mode transceivers, the price of

multimode transceivers is nearly two or three times lower.

System Cost

To utilize the fundamental attributes of single mode fibers,

which are generally geared towards longer distance
applications, requires transceivers with lasers that operate
at longer wavelengths with smaller spot-size and generally
narrower spectral width. These transceiver characteristics
combined with the need for higher-precision alignment and
tighter connector tolerances to smaller core diameters
result in significantly higher transceiver costs and overall
higher interconnect costs for single mode fiber
interconnects.

Fabrication methods for VCSEL based transceivers that are

optimized for use with multimode fibers are more easily
manufactured into array devices and are lower cost than
equivalent single-mode transceivers. Despite the use of
multiple fiber lanes and multi-transceivers arrays, there are
significant cost savings over single-mode technology
employing single or multichannel operation over simplex-
duplex connectivity. Multimode fiber system offers the
lowest system cost and upgrade path to 100G for standard-
based premises applications using parallel-optic based
interconnects.

Installation Cost

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 4/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

Single-mode optical fiber often costs less than multimode

fiber. When building a 1G fiber optic network that you want
to be able to go to 10G or faster on eventually, the savings
on the cost of fiber for single-mode saves about half-price.
While the multimode OM3 or OM4 fiber increases 35% in
cost for SFP modules. The single-mode optics are more
expensive, but the labor costs of replacing the multimode
are significantly higher, especially if that followed OM1—
OM2—OM3—OM4. If you are willing to look at used ex-
Fibre Channel SFPs, the price of single-mode 1G drops
through the floor. If you have the budget and need for 10G
short connections, the economics at last check still support
multimode. Keep an eye on those economics though, as
history suggests that the price premium for single-mode
will drop.

Frequently Asked Question about Single Mode vs

Multimode Fiber Optic Cable

Q: What is better single mode or multimode fiber type?

A: As has been mentioned above, single mode fiber and

multimode fiber cable have their own advantages on cost
and applications. There is no such thing that single mode
optical fibers are better than multimode ones. Just
choosing the best-fit one for your applications is ok.

Q: Can I mix single mode and multimode fiber type?

A: This answer for this question is “no”. Multimode fiber

and single mode fiber have different core sizes, and the
number of light modes that they transmit is also different. If
you mix the two fibers, or connect them together directly,
you’ll lose a large amount of optical loss, resulting in a link
flapping or being down. Keep in mind that never mix
different types of cabling randomly.

Q: Can I use a multimode transceiver on single mode fiber

optic cable?

A: Generally speaking, the answer is "no". Large optical loss

will occur if a multimode transceiver is connected with
single mode fiber. However, the opposite will work. For
example, 1000BASE-LX single mode SFP can work on

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 5/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

multimode fiber cable by using mode conditioning fiber

cable. Sometimes, fiber media converters also can be used
to solve such problems between single mode transceivers
and multimode transceivers.

Q: Single mode vs multimode fiber optic cable type: which

should I choose?

A: When making a decision between single mode and

multimode fiber cables, the first factor to consider is the
fiber distance which you need actually. For example, in a
data center, multimode fiber cables are enough for the
distance of 300-400 meters. While in applications that
require distance up to several thousands of meters, the
single mode fiber is the best choice. And in applications
that can use single mode and multimode fiber, other
factors like cost and future upgrade requirements should
be taken into consideration for your choice.

Summary

From the comparison between single mode vs multimode

fiber optic cable, it can conclude that single-mode fiber
cabling system is suitable for long-reach data transmission
applications and widely deployed in carrier networks, MANs
and PONs. Multimode fiber cabling system has a shorter
reach and is widely deployed in enterprise, data centers and
LANs. No matter which one you choose, on the basis of
total fiber cost, choosing the one that best suits your
network demands is an important task for every network
designer.

Report this

Published by

Tina Liu
Business Improvement Manager/ Electronic Specialist 12 articles Follow
Published • 1y

#Fiber optic #Single mode #Multimode #OM2/OM3/MO4/OM5

Like Comment Share

0 Comments

Add a comment…

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 6/7
10:15 18/01/2024 (27) Fiber Optic Cable Types: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cable | LinkedIn

Tina Liu
Business Improvement Manager/ Electronic Specialist

Follow

More from Tina Liu

Comprehensive Introduction MTP/MPO Cables: What Are

of Fiber Optic Splitter They and How to Use Them?

Tina Liu on LinkedIn Tina Liu on LinkedIn

OM3 vs OM4 Multimode

Fiber: What's the difference?

Tina Liu on LinkedIn

See all 12 articles

About Accessibility Talent Solutions Questions? Select Language

Visit our Help Center.
Community Guidelines Careers Marketing Solutions English (English)

Privacy & Terms Ad Choices Advertising Manage your account and privacy
Go to your Settings.
Sales Solutions Mobile Small Business

Safety Center
Recommendation transparency
Learn more about Recommended Content.

LinkedIn Corporation © 2024

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fiber-optic-cable-types-single-mode-vs-multimode-tina-liu/ 7/7