All Models of Multimode Optical Cables

The main multimode optical cable models are OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5, each differing in core size, bandwidth, distance, and application suitability.Overview of Multimode Fiber ModelsOM1Core Diameter: 62.5 µmJacket Color: OrangeLight Source: LEDBandwidth: Lower modal bandwidth, suitable for legacy networksMaximum Distance: Up to 275 m at 1 GbpsTypical Use: 100 Mbps Ethernet, older enterprise LANsOM2Core Diameter: 50 µmJacket Color: OrangeLight Source: LEDBandwidth: Moderate, supports higher speeds than OM1Maximum Distance: Up to 82 m at 10 GbpsTypical Use: 1–10 Gbps Ethernet, cost-sensitive networksOM3Core Diameter: 50 µmJacket Color: AquaLight Source: Laser-optimized (VCSEL)Bandwidth: High, supports 10–40 GbpsMaximum Distance: 300 m at 10 GbpsTypical Use: Modern data centers, high-speed LANsOM4Core Diameter: 50 µmJacket Color: AquaLight Source: Laser-optimized (VCSEL)Bandwidth: Very high, supports 10–100 GbpsMaximum Distance: 550 m at 10 GbpsTypical Use: High-performance computing, 40/100 GbE networksOM5Core Diameter: 50 µmJacket Color: Lime GreenLight Source: Laser-optimized, supports Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM)Bandwidth: 4700 MHz·km at 850 nm, 2470 MHz·km at 953 nmMaximum Distance: 150 m+ at 100 GbpsTypical Use: Future-proof data centers, multi-wavelength 40/100/400 GbE networksKey ConsiderationsCore Size: OM1 has the largest core (62.5 µm), while OM2–OM5 have 50 µm cores, enabling higher bandwidth and longer distances.Jacket Color Coding: OM1/OM2 (orange), OM3/OM4 (aqua), OM5 (lime green) for easy identification.Light Source Compatibility: OM1/OM2 use LEDs, limiting speed and distance; OM3–OM5 are laser-optimized for VCSELs, supporting higher data rates.Applications: OM1/OM2 are suitable for legacy or cost-sensitive networks, OM3/OM4 for modern high-speed LANs and data centers, and OM5 for wideband SWDM applications. Selecting the appropriate multimode fiber depends on distance, bandwidth requirements, budget, and future network scalability. OM3 and OM4 remain the most widely deployed in current enterprise and data center environments, while OM5 is designed for next-generation high-speed, multi-wavelength networks .