Multimode Fiber Types
OM1 vs OM2 vs OM3 vs OM4 vs OM5

Multimode fiber is a common choice to achieve 10 Gbit/s speed over distances required by LAN enterprise and data center applications. There are several kinds of multimode fiber types available for high-speed network installations, and each with a different reach and data-rate capability. With so many options, it can be tough to select the most suitable multimode fiber. OM1 vs OM2 vs OM3 vs OM4 vs OM5, which to choose? You may get answer in this article.
 
What Is Multimode Fiber?
Multimode fiber (MMF) is a kind of optical fiber mostly used in communication over short distances, for example, inside a building or for the campus. Multimode fiber optic cable has a larger core, typically 50 or 62.5 microns that enables multiple light modes to be propagated. Because of this, more data can pass through the multimode fiber core at a given time. The maximum transmission distance for MMF cable is around 550m at the speed of 10Git/s. It can transmit farther at lower data rates, such as going about 2km at 100Mb/s.
How Many Types of Multimode Fiber?
Identified by ISO 11801 standard, multimode fiber optic cables can be classified into OM1 fiber, OM2 fiber, OM3 fiber, OM4 fiber and newly released OM5 fiber. The next part will compare these fibers from the side of core size, bandwidth, data rate, distance, color and optical source in details.
How Many Types of Multimode Fiber?
Identified by ISO 11801 standard, multimode fiber optic cables can be classified into OM1 fiber, OM2 fiber, OM3 fiber, OM4 fiber and newly released OM5 fiber. The next part will compare these fibers from the side of core size, bandwidth, data rate, distance, color and optical source in details.
OM1 Fiber
OM1 fiber typically comes with an orange jacket and have a core size of 62.5 µm. It can support 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths of up to 33 meters. It is most commonly used for 100 Megabit Ethernet applications. This type commonly uses a LED light source.
 
OM2 Fiber
Likewise, OM2 fiber also comes with an orange jacket and uses a LED light source but with a smaller core size of 50 µm. It supports up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 82 meters but is more commonly used for 1 Gigabit Ethernet applications.
 
OM3 Fiber
OM3 fiber comes with an aqua color jacket. Like the OM2, its core size is 50 µm, but the cable is optimized for laser based equipment. OM3 supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 300 meters. Besides, OM3 is able to support 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters, however, 10 Gigabit Ethernet is most commonly used.
 
OM4 Fiber
OM4 fiber is completely backwards compatible with OM3 fiber and shares the same distinctive aqua jacket. OM4 was developed specifically for VSCEL laser transmission and allows 10 Gig/s link distances of up to 550m compared to 300M with OM3. And it’s able to run 40/100GB up to 150 meters utilizing a MPO connector.
 
OM5 Fiber
OM5 fiber, also known as WBMMF (wideband multimode fiber), is the newest type of multimode fiber, and it is backwards compatible with OM4. It has the same core size as OM2, OM3, and OM4. The color of OM5 fiber jacket was chosen as lime green. It is designed and specified to support at least four WDM channels at a minimum speed of 28Gbps per channel through the 850-953 nm window. More details can be found at: Three Critical Focuses on OM5 Fiber Optic Cable
Physical Difference
Physical difference mainly lies in diameter, jacket color, optical source and bandwidth, which is described in the following table.
MMF Cable Type
Diameter
Jacket Color
Optical Source
Bandwidth
OM1
62.5/125µm
Orange
LED
200MHz*km
OM2
50/125µm
Orange
LED
500MHz*km
OM3
50/125µm
Aqua
VSCEL
2000MHz*km
OM4
50/125µm
Aqua
VSCEL
4700MHz*km
OM5
50/125µm
Lime Green
VSCEL
28000MHz*km
Practical Difference
Multimode fibers are able to transmit different distance ranges at various data rate. You can choose the most suited one according to your actual application. The max multimode fiber distance comparison at different data rate is specified below.
MMF Category
1GbE
10GbE
40GbE
100GbE
OM1
275m
33m
/
/
OM2
550m
82m
/
/
OM3
/
300m
100m
70m
OM4
/
550m
150m
150m
OM5
/
550m
150m
150m
 
What’s the Differences Between Single Mode and Multimode Fiber?
 
Technical difference
Core Diameter—Single mode fiber has a small diametral core(8.3 to 10 microns) that allows only one mode of light to propagate. Multimode fiber optic cable has a large diametral core(50 to 100 microns) that allows multiple modes of light to propagate.
 
Light Source—Multimode devices usually use a LED or laser as a light source. While single mode devices use   a laser, or laser diode, to produce light injected into the cable.
 
Practical Difference
Distance—Light travels a longer distance inside single mode cable than it does inside multimode. So multimode fiber is suitable for short haul application, allowing transmission distances of up to about 550m at 10Git/s. When distance is beyond 550m, single mode fiber is preferred.
 
Price—Multimode fiber usually cost less than single mode fiber.
 
Bandwidth—The bandwidth of single-mode is higher than multimode as much as 100,000 GHz.
 
Multimode Fiber Connectors Types
There are many multimode fiber connector types in circulation such as ST, SC, FC, LC, MU, E2000, MTRJ, SMA, DIN as well as MTP & MPO etc. The most commonly used fiber optic connector types include ST, SC, FC and LC. Each one has its own advantages, disadvantages, and capabilities. So what are the differences and what do they mean to your implementation? This table of common multimode fiber connectors gives an overview of strengths and weaknesses. Get more details about commonly used fiber optic connectors here: Fiber Optic Connector Types, Market, & Installation
MMF Connector
Ferrule Size
Typical Insertion Loss (dB)
Cost()
Application Features
SC
φ2.5mm ceramic
0.25-0.5
US$ 0.65
Mainstream, reliable, fast deployment, filed fit
LC
φ1.25mm ceramic
0.25-0.5
US$ 0.78
High density, cost-effective,filed fit
FC
φ2.5mm ceramic
0.25-0.5
US$ 0.74
High precision, vibration environment, field fit
ST
φ2.5mm ceramic
0.25-0.5
US$ 0.61
Military, filed fit
 
What’s The Advantages of Multimode Fiber?
Although single mode fiber patch cable is advantageous in terms of bandwidth and reach for longer distances, multimode fiber easily supports most distances required for enterprise and data center networks at a cost dramatically less than single mode fiber. Besides, multimode fiber optic cable still has many significant advantages.
 
Multi-user Framework Without Loss Interference
Multimode fiber features carrying multiple signals at the same time in the same line. Most importantly, the total power inside the signals carries almost no loss. Therefore, the network user can send more than one packet in the cable at the same time, and all information will be delivered to their destination with out any interference and keep unchanged.
 
Support of Multiple Protocols
Multimode fiber can support many data transfer protocol, including Ethernet, Infiniband, and Internet protocols. Therefore, one can use the cable as the back bone of a series of high value applications.
 
Cost-effective
With a larger fiber core and good alignment tolerances, multimode fiber and components are less expensive and are easier to work with other optical components like fiber connector and fiber adapter, and multimode patch cords are less expensive to operate, install and maintain than single mode fiber cables.
 
Conclusion
Due to its high capacity and reliability, multimode fiber is usually used for backbone applications in buildings. In general, mmf cable continues to be the most cost-effective choice for enterprise and data center applications up to the 500-600 meter range. But it’s not to say that we can substitute single mode fiber with multimode fiber cable, as for whether to choose a single mode fiber patch cord or multimode patch cord, it all depends on applications that you need, transmission distance to be covered as well as the overall budget allowed.

Technical Information for Multimode Fiber

Multimode technology has different classifications, ranging from OM1 to OM5. The wavelength of multimode fiber can be either 850 nm or 1,300 nm.

A key difference between categories is the multimode fiber’s max distance:

  • OM1 uses LED light sources and is commonly used for 100 Mbps small business applications.
  • OM2 has a 50 micron core and transmits 10 Gbps at 250 feet or 1 Gbps at 1,800 feet.
  • OM3 fiber relies on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, allowing for 10 Gbps connections at a max distance of 950 feet.
  • OM4 fiber can handle distances of 1,300 feet at 10 Gbps, or 490 feet for 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps connections.
  • OM5 fiber can house 4 or more WDM channels, with a max distance of 1,300 feet at 100 Gbps.

OM1 and OM2 cables have an orange jacket, OM3 and OM4 use aqua, and OM5 fiber is lime green. 

What Are the Advantages of Multimode Fiber?

Multimode fiber optics provides many benefits for organizations that require high-speed networking and data transfer capabilities. Multimode can transmit Ethernet and internet protocols in the same fiber and reduce cable needs for multiple users.

High-quality multimode fiber is a good solution for increasing network bandwidths in enterprise organizations. Not only do the optical transceivers have a lower overall cost, but added space savings also provide more flexibility for system design.

Where Is Multimode Fiber Used?

Multimode fiber is an excellent choice for networking applications that require high data transfer rates over short distances. Common examples include:

  • Data centers
  • University campuses and schools
  • Brokerages
  • Government buildings
  • Hospitals
  • Marketing firms and large office buildings

Many enterprise-level organizations invest in top-tier multimode fiber cables for operations centers, especially with on-prem or hybrid server setups. Multimode is an ideal fit for LANs.