Single-mode outdoor fiber optic cables support longer-distance transmission, with the assortment describing links beyond 1,000 feet, while multimode OM3 cables support applications such as 10 Gbps transmission up to 1,000 feet. For network design, choose single mode for longer interbuilding or extended runs and multimode for shorter links, while matching connectors and other components to the fiber type.

Choose armored outdoor fiber optic cables when a route includes direct burial, ducts, or areas exposed to crushing, rodent activity, pulling forces, or other mechanical hazards. Corrugated steel armor, a protective outer jacket, and water-blocking materials help protect the fiber during installation and service, while the jacket supports outdoor use in UV-exposed locations.

For direct-burial and underground runs, outdoor fiber optic cables with polyethylene jackets, UV resistance, and corrugated steel armor support exposure to moisture, sunlight, soil, and crushing forces. At indoor transition points, choose the cable jacket rating for the space, such as riser-rated PVC for riser areas or plenum-rated PVC for environmental air spaces, and route underground-rated cables through ducts or conduit when the installation requires it.

Choose the strand count based on your current links, spare capacity, and expected future expansion. A two-strand outdoor fiber optic cable can support a typical duplex link, while six- or twelve-strand cables provide additional fibers for added links, redundancy, or network growth without installing another cable.