The maximum effective length of an optical cable depends on its type: single-mode fibers can reach up to 40 kilometers, while multimode fibers range from 300 meters to 1 kilometer.

Single-Mode Fiber Cables

• OS1: Designed for indoor use, supports distances up to 10 kilometers at 10 Gbps without signal amplification, with a core diameter of 9 microns and attenuation of 0.3–0.4 dB/km at 1310–1550 nm .
• OS2: Optimized for outdoor and long-distance applications, capable of transmitting data up to 40 kilometers at 10 Gbps, also with a 9-micron core and low attenuation of 0.3 dB/km .

Multimode Fiber Cables

• OM1: Core diameter 62.5 microns, maximum distance 300 meters at 10 Gbps, suitable for short-range LAN connections .
• OM2: Core diameter 50 microns, maximum distance 550 meters at 10 Gbps .
• OM3: Core diameter 50 microns, supports 1000 meters at 10 Gbps and 400 meters at 40 Gbps .
• OM4: Core diameter 50 microns, supports 550 meters at 40 Gbps and 150 meters at 100 Gbps .

Practical Considerations

• Fiber-optic cables are often custom cut to match installation requirements, with a recommended 10% extra length for safety and future upgrades .
• Multimode fibers are generally used for shorter distances due to higher signal attenuation and modal dispersion, while single-mode fibers are preferred for long-distance and high-bandwidth applications .
• Environmental factors, connectors, and installation methods can also affect the effective length of each cable type . In summary, single-mode fibers (OS1/OS2) are suitable for kilometers-long runs, whereas multimode fibers (OM1–OM4) are limited to hundreds of meters to a kilometer, depending on the specific type and data rate.