Fiber Optic Cable Color Code

Fiber Optic Cable Color Code:

This is a basic color coding of fiber cable.

Fiber Optic Cable And Connector Color Codes

There is a color code standard in TIA, TIA-598C that addresses this issue, which we could adopt and reference. Here is what it recommends:

Colored outer jackets or print may be used on Premises Distribution Cable, Premises Interconnect Cable or Interconnect Cord, or Premises Breakout Cable to identify the classification and fiber sizes of the fiber.

When colored jackets are used to identify the type of fiber in cable containing only one fiber type, the colors shall be as indicated in Table 3. Other colors may be used providing that the print on the outer jacket identifies fiber classifications in accordance with subclause 4.3.3. Such colors should be as agreed upon between manufacturer and user.

Unless otherwise specified, the outer jacket of premises cable containing more than one fiber type shall use a printed legend to identify the quantities and types of fibers within the cable. Table 3 shows the preferred nomenclature for the various fiber types, for example "12 Fiber, 8 x 50/125, 4 x SM."

When the print on the outer jacket of premises cable is used to identify the types and classifications of the fiber, the nomenclature of Table 3 is preferred for the various fiber types. Distinctive print characters for other fiber types may be considered for addition to Table 3 at some future date.

Color Number	Cable Color
1	Blue
2	Orange
3	Green
4	Brown
5	Gray
6	White
7	Red
8	Black
9	Yellow
10	Purple
11	Rose
12	Aqua

 

NOTES:
1) Natural jackets with colored tracers may be used instead of solid-color jackets. 
2) Because of the limited number of applications for these fibers, print nomenclature are to be agreed upon between manufacturer and enduser 
3) Other colors may be used providing that the print on the outer 
jacket identifies fiber classifications per subclause 4.3.3. 
4) For some Premises Cable functional types (e.g., plenum cables), colored jacket material may not be available. Distinctive jacket colors for other fiber types may be considered for addition to Table 3 at some future date.

Users have been installing hybrid (MM+SM) cables in the backbone for years. With the premises fiber optic cabling now including two varieties of 50/125 fiber, 62.5/125 and singlemode fibers, managing the cable plant is more difficult. We have already seen instances of users and installers being confused and getting bad test results, as well as having problems with networks operating when connected over the wrong fiber type.