Color coding—Fiber-optic cable

Patch cords

The buffer or jacket on patchcords is often color-coded to indicate the type of fiber used. The strain relief “boot” that protects the fiber from bending at a connector is color-coded to indicate the type of connection. Connectors with a plastic shell (such as SC connectors) typically use a color-coded shell. Standard color codings for jackets (or buffers) and boots (or connector shells) are shown below:

Remark: It is also possible that a small part of a connector is additionally color-coded, e.g. the lever of an E-2000 connector or a frame of an adapter. This additional colour coding indicates the correct port for a patchcord, if many patchcords are installed at one point.

Multi-fiber cables

Individual fibers in a multi-fiber cable are often distinguished from one another by color-coded jackets or buffers on each fiber. The identification scheme used by Corning Cable Systems is based on EIA/TIA-598, “Optical Fiber Cable Color Coding.” EIA/TIA-598 defines identification schemes for fibers, buffered fibers, fiber units, and groups of fiber units within outside plant and premises optical fiber cables. This standard allows for fiber units to be identified by means of a printed legend. This method can be used for identification of fiber ribbons and fiber subunits. The legend will contain a corresponding printed numerical position number or color for use in identification.

EIA598-A Fiber Color Chart Position Jacket color Position Jacket color 1 blue 13 blue/black 2 orange 14 orange/black 3 green 15 green/black 4 brown 16 brown/black 5 slate 17 slate/black 6 white 18 white/black 7 red 19 red/black 8 black 20 black/yellow 9 yellow 21 yellow/black 10 violet 22 violet/black 11 rose 23 rose/black 12 aqua 24 aqua/black

Color coding of Premises Fiber Cable Fiber Type / Class Diameter (µm) Jacket color Multimode Ia 50/125 Orange Multimode Ia 62.5/125 Slate Multimode Ia 85/125 Blue Multimode Ia 100/140 Green Singlemode IVa All Yellow Singlemode IVb All Red

The colour code used above resembles PE copper cables used in standard telephone wiring.

In the UK the colour codes for COF200 and 201 are different. Each 12 fibre bundle or element within a Cable Optical Fibre 200/201 cable is coloured as follows:

Each element is in a tube within the cable (not a blown fibre tube) The cable elements start with the red tube and are counted around the cable to the green tube. Active elements are in white tubes and yellow fillers or dummies are laid in the cable to fill it out depending on how many fibres and units exists – can be up to 276 fibres or 23 elements for external cable and 144 fibres or 12 elements for internal. The cable has a central strength member normally made from fiberglass or plastic. There is also a copper conductor in external cables.