Fiber optic distribution cable might not be considered the fanciest optical fiber cable on the market. Sturdy as it is, it is probably not part of the fiber deployment now being used on the International Space Station.

But fiber optic distribution cable is the most popular optical fiber cable SMC offers, because it is used almost everywhere in a building. It’s no wonder it is commonly referred to as “backbone” cabling – the wires that connect just about everything to everything.

Our indoor distribution fiber cable is a go-to, general purpose cable that can be installed vertically or horizontally. Its tight buffered design, with multiple protection layers around the fiber core, suits it well for use as LAN backbone wiring within a building. This includes trunk cabling that runs horizontally to connect data center equipment, telecom rooms and workstations, as well as vertically up and down riser shafts between floors.

By the way, distribution fiber cable is not limited to use in large commercial installations. It also works well in fiber to the home (FTTH) applications, including both individual homes and multi-tenant buildings.

And let’s not forget that a huge benefit of fiber optic distribution cable is found in those first two words: fiber optic. Compared to Ethernet installations, fiber increases your network’s bandwidth, long-distance reach and immunity to EMI/RFI.

At SMC, indoor fiber optic distribution cable comes in both riser and plenum versions.

Riser-Rated Fiber Optic Distribution Cable

Riser-rated distribution cable is used for wiring in vertical spaces from one floor to another in a building, including in elevator shafts. It has a basic fire rating and is widely used in both commercial and residential installations. SMC’s riser cable is rated OFNR (optical fiber, nonconductive, riser).

One of our riser options is Corning’s laser-optimized models with their fibers surrounded by dielectric strength members and a flame-retardant jacket. The all-dielectric construction requires no grounding or bonding, making these cables ideal for routing inside buildings, including riser shafts, to the telecom rooms and workstations. The cables use 900 μm buffered fibers to enable easy, consistent stripping and to facilitate termination.

Plenum-Rated Fiber Optic Distribution Cable

The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines a plenum as “a compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and forms part of the air distribution system.” Plenum cable is made of materials that when ignited will not contaminate the air. Thus, the NEC requires plenum cable to be used in air ducts and plenum airspaces to inhibit the spread of flames and the circulation of smoke and toxic fumes in a building.

Fiber optic distribution cable is typically required by building code in plenum spaces above drop ceilings or below raised floors, especially in multiunit residential and commercial buildings. It has a higher fire rating than riser cables and is more expensive. ShowMeCables’ plenum offerings have insulation to protect from smoke and flame. We carry both OFNP (optical fiber, nonconductive, plenum) and CMP (communications multipurpose plenum).

Keep in mind that plenum cables can go in riser spaces but riser cables cannot go in plenum spaces.

Distribution Cable with Features for Everybody

ShowMeCables offers dozens of different types of indoor fiber optic distribution cable, and you can order it by the foot to get the exact length you need. Some of the main features include:

  • Single-mode fiber for higher-bandwidths, greater distances, lower attenuation
  • Multimode fiber in OM1 through OM4
  • Data speeds from 1 to 100 gigabits
  • Options of 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 or 48 strands
  • Tight buffer fibers are color-coded for easy identification during termination
  • Jacket choices of OFNR, OFNP, CMP or CM (PVC)
  • 5 fiber sizes, 8.3/125, 9/125, 50/125, 10-gigabyte 50/125 and 62.5/125

We also carry a wide variety of other fiber products, such as fiber optic communication patch cables, fiber optic video network bulk cable, and fiber optic adapters, enclosures and patch panel systems.

Increase your network’s bandwidth, long-distance reach and immunity to EMI/RFI with distribution fiber optic cable from ShowMeCables. Most of our choices are in-stock and available for same-day shipping if ordered before 5 p.m. ET.

If you have any questions or need guidance on what cable is best for you, our U.S.-based customer service would love to hear from you at 1-888-519-9505. Or you can contact us via email or chat.