5/4/2017 Fiber Optic Cable Color Codes
The Fiber Optic Association Tech Topics
Fiber Optic Cable And Connector Color Codes
Users have been installing hybrid (MM+SM) cables in the backbone for years. With the
premises fiber optic cabling now including two varieties of 50/125 fiber, 62.5/125 and
singlemode fibers, managing the cable plant is more difficult. We have already seen
instances of users and installers being confused and getting bad test results, as well as
having problems with networks operating when connected over the wrong fiber type.
There is a color code standard in process, TIA598C that addresses this issue, which
we could adopt and reference. Here is what it recommends:
Colored outer jackets or print may be used on Premises Distribution Cable, Premises
Interconnect Cable or Interconnect Cord, or Premises Breakout Cable to identify the
classification and fiber sizes of the fiber.
When colored jackets are used to identify the type of fiber in cable containing only one
fiber type, the colors shall be as indicated in Table 3. Other colors may be used
providing that the print on the outer jacket identifies fiber classifications in accordance
with subclause 4.3.3. Such colors should be as agreed upon between manufacturer and
user.
Unless otherwise specified, the outer jacket of premises cable containing more than one
fiber type shall use a printed legend to identify the quantities and types of fibers within
the cable. Table 3 shows the preferred nomenclature for the various fiber types, for
example "12 Fiber 8 x 50/125, 4 x 62.5/125."
When the print on the outer jacket of premises cable is used to identify the types and
classifications of the fiber, the nomenclature of Table 3 is preferred for the various fiber
types. Distinctive print characters for other fiber types may be considered for addition to
Table 3 at some future date.
Fiber Type Color Code
Nonmilitary Suggested Print
. Military Applications
Applications(3) Nomenclature
Multimode (50/125)
Orange Orange 50/125
(TIA492AAAB) (OM2)
Multimode (50/125) Aqua Undefined 850 LO 50 /125
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5/4/2017 Fiber Optic Cable Color Codes
(850 nm Laser
optimized)
(TIA492AAAC) (OM3,
OM4)
Multimode (62.5/125)
Orange Slate 62.5/125
(TIA492AAAA) (OM1)
Multimode (100/140) Orange Green 100/140
Singlemode
(TIA492C000 / TIA Yellow Yellow SM/NZDS, SM
492E000) (OS1, OS2)
Polarization
Maintaining Single Blue Undefined Undefined (2)
mode
NOTES:
1) Natural jackets with colored tracers may be used instead of solidcolor jackets.
2) Because of the limited number of applications for these fibers, print nomenclature are
to be agreed upon between manufacturer and enduser
3) Other colors may be used providing that the print on the outer
jacket identifies fiber classifications per subclause 4.3.3.
4) For some Premises Cable functional types (e.g., plenum cables), colored jacketing
material may not be available. Distinctive jacket colors for other fiber types may be
considered for addition to Table 3 at some future date.
Fiber Color Codes
Inside the cable or inside each tube in a loose tube cable, individual fibers will be color
coded for identification. Fibers follow the convention created for telephone wires except
fibers are identified individually, not in pairs. For splicing, like color fibers are spliced to
ensure continuity of color codes throughout a cable run.
Fiber Number Color
1 Blue
2 Orange
3 Green
4 Brown
5 Slate
6 White
7 Red
8 Black
9 Yellow
10 Violet
11 Rose
12 Aqua
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5/4/2017 Fiber Optic Cable Color Codes
There is a publicly available document that defines the twelve TIA/EIA colors for fiber conductors:
http://munsell.com/colorblog/colorcodingchartwirecolorcoding/
Connector Color Codes:
Since the earliest days of fiber optics, orange, black or gray was multimode and yellow
singlemode. However, the advent of metallic connectors like the FC and ST made
connector color coding difficult, so colored strain relief boots were often used.
Strain Relief/
Connector
Fiber type Mating
Body
Adapter
62.5/125 Beige Beige
50/125 Black Black
50/125 laser
Aqua Aqua
optimized
Singlemode Blue Blue
Singlemode
Green Green
APC
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