Some Shopping Tips: A Blog

This blog has one purpose and that purpose is to communicate all of our very best shopping tips. We've spent an awful long time researching the steps you can take to get more out of your shopping adventures. We have watched countless hours of YouTube vids and we have taken the time to learn everything we can from articles posted online. So, if you want to find out how technology can improve your shopping experience or the benefit of packing your own bags, read on. We aren't pros when it comes to this subject but we do know our stuff!

Key Considerations When Choosing Fibre Optic Patch Leads

Blog

If you need to install some fibre optic patch leads to connect equipment or networks, then you have to decide whether to use single-mode or multi-mode products. While these leads do much the same job, they do have some differences that affect how well they will work in your applications. For example, a single-mode lead has one light wavelength in its core; a multi-mode cable has multiple light waves passing through it.

What should you think about before you choose which type of lead to use?

1. Bandwidth

Single-mode and multi-mode leads don't deliver the same amount of bandwidth. Typically, you get better throughput provision with a single-mode product. This is down to the way a single-mode cable works. It only has one light source running through it so its sole send focus is on bandwidth delivery.

If you use a multi-mode lead, then you have to contend with the effects of various wavelengths competing in the core. In some cases, this causes interference and clashes that might affect the cable's capacity to manage data efficiently.

So, if bandwidth is a key issue, then a single-mode cable may be your best choice. However, if your bandwidth needs are more basic and meet the capacity of a multi-mode lead, then this should be a suitable choice.

2. Distance

The length of your cabling and the distance it needs to cover affects the leads you need to use. Distance can affect your signal strength and delivery. If you don't have much distance to cover, then a multi-mode solution should do the job. These cables cope well over shorter distances. So, this kind of lead will work well if you're working on simple applications in the same areas or even building.

However, if your cables need to cover more distance or will deliver to more complex builds, such as telecoms or multi-locational systems, then you may be better off with a single-mode solution. The single focus in these leads enables them to cover longer distances more effectively.

3. Cost

If you're setting up from scratch, then your choice of leads can affect your costs. Both types of cables cost around the same, but the costs of their underlying systems and components can vary.

Multi-mode fibre systems are typically cheaper than single-mode options. So, if a multi-mode solution will meet your needs, this could reduce your overall costs.

For more advice on choosing the right patch leads for your needs, contact fibre optic gear suppliers.

Share  

25 August 2020