Price range: $39.72 through $54.03
Understanding the differences between OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 fiber optic cable is essential when selecting the right multimode fiber for your network. The main distinctions involve core size, bandwidth, supported data rates, and transmission distance. In general, older multimode systems often use OM1 or OM2, while modern high-speed installations typically rely on OM3 or OM4.
| Fiber Type | Core Size | Bandwidth | Typical Data Rate | Typical Distance | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM1 | 62.5µm | Typically up to 200 MHz·km | Up to 1 Gbps | Typically up to 275 meters at 1 Gbps | Older legacy installations |
| OM2 | 50µm | Typically up to 500 MHz·km | Up to 1 Gbps | Typically up to 550 meters at 1 Gbps | Mid-range multimode installations |
| OM3 | 50µm, laser-optimized | Typically 2,000 MHz·km | Up to 10 Gbps | Typically up to 300 meters at 10 Gbps | High-speed data center backbone applications |
| OM4 | 50µm, advanced laser-optimized | Typically 4,700 MHz·km | 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps and higher | Typically up to 550 meters at 10 Gbps; up to 150 meters at 40/100 Gbps | High-performance data center networks |
If you are supporting an older installed base, OM1 or OM2 may match the existing infrastructure. For new high-speed installations, OM3 and OM4 are usually the better choice for bandwidth, speed, and future expansion.
