Why Particular Color Coding Assigned for the Optical Fiber

Why Particular Color Coding Assigned for the Optical Fiber: 

Fiber optic colors standards are crucial to anyone who works manipulating thousands of cables at a day or doing a major installation. Without particular color coding of optical cable it can be very confusing for the splicer. Fiber optic cables are available in a wide range that varies according to use, length, diameter, etc. Assigned  each one a specific color allows better and faster recognition of the cable in use and avoids issues due to bad connections or confusions.

Inside each cable or in the inside of each tube in a loose tube cable, individual fibers will also be color coded for easy identification. For splicing, like color fibers are spliced to ensure continuity of color codes throughout a cable run. Special color method can be used for identification of fiber ribbons and fiber sub-units.

Color Coding Details

Color Coding for Optical Fiber

Why Particular Color Coding Assigned for the Optical Fiber

Inside a multi-fiber cable, individual fibers are compliant to fiber color code as well. They are often distinguished from one another by color-coded jackets, buffers or tubes on each fiber. According to EIA/TIA-598, inner fibers are color coded in a group of 12 fibers and they are counted in a clockwise direction. With the help of below image it is clear that how to count the optical fiber tube.

Counting direction

Optical fiber counting direction

For cables that consist of more than 12 strands, the fiber optic cable color code repeats itself. Each group of 12 fibers is identified with some other means. For example, 24 strand groups are with the fiber color code repeating with some variation, e.g., the 1st group of 12 strands are solid colors and the 2nd group is a solid color with a stripe or some other identifying marks.

For cables that have over 12 strands, the color code runs from 1 through 12 then repeats itself, identifying each 12-strand group in some other unique way such as adding a stripe to the second group (if it is a 24-strand cable) or some other specific mark to identify the new group.

In the UK the color codes for COF200 and 201 are different. Each 12 fiber bundle or element within a Cable Optical Fiber 200/201 cable is colored as follows:

Blue
Orange
Green
Red
Grey
Yellow
Brown
Violet
Black
White
Pink 

Turquoise

Each element is in a tube within the cable (not a blown fiber 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 fiber and units exists – can be up to 276 fiber or 23 elements for external cable and 144 fiber or 12 elements for internal. The cable has a central strength member normally made from fiberglass or plastic.

Conclusions

Fiber optic cable color code is a best system that helps us distinguish fiber types visually from the colored fiber jacket. The optical fiber color coding is also practical for fiber optic engineers during splicing. Because the colorful fibers also help ensure the continuity of color codes throughout a cable run & avoiding the interchange. Thus, fiber cable color coding is essential to fiber optic communications like the twisted pair color coding to copper wiring systems.