Indoor Fiber Optic Cable | Tight Buffer & Distribution for Building Networks
Introduction
Opelink manufactures high-quality indoor fiber optic cables designed for building infrastructure, data centers, and enterprise networks. With 13+ years of experience, we provide reliable indoor cabling solutions that meet strict fire safety standards and performance requirements.
Indoor fiber optic cable is engineered for installation within buildings, featuring fire-rated jackets, compact designs, and flexibility for routing through conduits, cable trays, and raised floors. These cables connect telecommunications rooms, data centers, workstations, and network equipment within commercial and residential buildings.
Opelink offers a comprehensive range of indoor cables including tight buffer cables for patch cords and equipment connections, loose tube cables for building backbone, and distribution cables for horizontal cabling. All our indoor cables meet NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements with OFNR (riser) and OFNP (plenum) ratings.
Indoor Cable Types
Opelink offers various indoor fiber optic cable types for different applications:
• 900μm tight buffer coating on each fiber • Flexible and easy to terminate • Available in single mode and multimode • Used for patch cords and equipment pigtails • Fiber count: 1-24 fibers
• Multiple tight-buffered fibers in one jacket • Small diameter, lightweight • Ideal for horizontal cabling and consolidation points • Fiber count: 2-48 fibers • OFNR or OFNP rated
3. Breakout Cable
• Individual subcables with aramid reinforcement • Rugged design for industrial environments • Easy breakout to individual fibers • Fiber count: 2-24 fibers
4. Loose Tube Indoor/Outdoor Cable
• Gel-filled loose tube design • Can be used indoors and outdoors • OFNR or OFNP rated inner jacket • Fiber count: 2-144 fibers
5. Ribbon Cable
• Multiple fibers bonded in a flat ribbon • High fiber density for data centers • Enables mass fusion splicing • Fiber count: 12-864 fibers
Technical Specifications
Parameter
Tight Buffer
Distribution
Breakout
Ribbon
Buffer Type
900μm tight buffer
900μm tight buffer
2.0mm subcable
250μm ribbon
Jacket Material
PVC or LSZH
PVC or LSZH
PVC or LSZH
PVC or LSZH
Fire Rating
OFNR / OFNP
OFNR / OFNP
OFNR / OFNP
OFNR / OFNP
Fiber Count
1-24
2-48
2-24
12-864
Min Bend Radius
25mm
10x cable OD
10x cable OD
30mm
Tensile Strength
200N
400N
600N
1000N
Operating Temp
-20°C to +70°C
-20°C to +70°C
-20°C to +70°C
-20°C to +70°C
Primary Use
Patch cords
Horizontal cabling
Industrial
Data centers
Fire Safety Ratings
.OFNR (Optical Fiber Non-conductive Riser): Riser-rated cables are designed for vertical runs between floors in building riser shafts. They have fire-resistant properties to prevent flames from spreading between floors. OFNR cables cannot be installed in plenum spaces. .OFNP (Optical Fiber Non-conductive Plenum): Plenum-rated cables are designed for installation in air handling spaces (plenums) such as ceiling cavities and under raised floors. They have the highest fire resistance and produce minimal smoke when exposed to fire. OFNP cables can be used in any indoor application including risers. .LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen): LSZH jackets produce minimal smoke and no toxic halogen gases when burned. They are required in enclosed spaces, transportation systems, and areas with limited ventilation. LSZH cables are increasingly popular for green building projects.
Applications
• Building Backbone: Connecting telecommunications rooms and data centers between floors • Horizontal Cabling: From telecommunications rooms to workstations and network outlets • Data Centers: Server-to-switch, switch-to-switch connections, storage networks • Enterprise LANs: Office networks, conference rooms, common areas • Healthcare: Hospital networks, medical imaging systems • Education: Campus networks, classroom connectivity • Financial Services: Trading floors, data centers, secure networks • Government: Secure building networks, classified facilities
FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between OFNR and OFNP fire ratings?
A: OFNR (Riser) cables are designed for vertical runs between floors and have moderate fire resistance. OFNP (Plenum) cables are designed for air handling spaces and have the highest fire resistance with low smoke production. OFNP cables can be used anywhere including risers, but OFNR cables cannot be used in plenum spaces. Always check local building codes to determine the required rating for your installation.
Q2: When should I use tight buffer versus loose tube indoor cable?
A: Use tight buffer cables for direct termination and patch cord applications - the 900μm buffer is easy to strip and connectorize. Use loose tube cables for backbone applications where fiber count is high and termination will be done in splice enclosures. Tight buffer is more flexible and easier to handle; loose tube offers better fiber protection and density.
Q3: What is the minimum bend radius for indoor fiber optic cables?
A: Minimum bend radius varies by cable type: Tight buffer cables - 25mm (1 inch) under load, 12mm at rest; Distribution cables - 10x the cable outer diameter; Breakout cables - 10x the cable outer diameter; Ribbon cables - 30mm. Exceeding the minimum bend radius can cause fiber stress and signal loss. Use bend-insensitive fiber (G.657A) for applications with tight bend requirements.
Q4: Can indoor fiber optic cables be run in the same tray as copper cables?
A: Yes, fiber optic cables can be run in the same cable trays as copper cables without interference concerns because fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). However, follow proper cable management practices: secure cables to prevent stress, maintain bend radius, and use appropriate cable supports. Keep power cables separate from fiber when possible to prevent damage during installation.
Q5: What is the maximum distance for indoor fiber optic cable runs?
A: Distance limitations depend on fiber type and data rate, not the cable itself. For multimode fiber (OM3/OM4): 300-550m at 10Gbps, 100-150m at 40/100Gbps. For single mode fiber: 10km+ at 10Gbps, 40km+ at lower speeds. These distances are typically much longer than building dimensions, so distance is rarely a limiting factor for indoor applications.