Fiber Optic Cable
Long-distance, high-bandwidth, interference-immune connectivity.
Types
- OM3 (Multimode): 10Gbps up to 300m — most common for AV
- OM4 (Multimode): 10Gbps up to 400m
- OS2 (Singlemode): 10Gbps up to 10km+ — campus/building backbone
Connector Types
- LC: Most common in AV (small form factor)
- SC: Older, push-pull style
- MPO/MTP: Multi-fiber for high-density
Common Uses in AV
- Building backbone for AV-over-IP networks
- Long-distance SDI (SFP modules)
- HDMI/DP Active Optical Cables (AOC)
- High-bandwidth matrix systems
Key Considerations
- OM3 multimode is the sweet spot for most commercial AV
- Pre-terminated trunk cables save installation time
- SFP modules allow fiber on standard network switches
- Bend radius matters — use bend-insensitive fiber (BIF) where possible