Fiber Cable Advice Needed… 12 Fiber Cables?

by: FOC FAQ

FIBER & CABLE: Ask FOC Ask FOC

Published: May 28, 2025

, Last updated: May 28, 2025

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QUESTION: I have purchased from FOC in the past, including bulkheads, cleaners etc. I currently need a cable that I am having a hard time finding someone to make. I know you work with the industry experts and would appreciate a recommendation for a cable maker. I need about 100 feet of a 12 fiber cable, a 1 meter breakout on each end and SC/APC Connectors. This is single mode. The “tricky” part is I would like to have all twelve fibers exactly the same length. Where can I find this?

ANSWER:

The easiest way to guarantee exact same length of 12 fibers would be to use a 12 fiber ribbon cable as all twelve fibers are in a parallel flat matrix. They can then be broken out into 12 individual fibers and terminated to the exact same length.

There is one issue with doing this and that is that if one connector fails all 12 on that end will have to be remade to maintain the same length.

12 fiber indoor ribbon cables are quite common and available from most suppliers. Standard single mode options can be seen here. If you need an outdoor rated cable they are also available but will have fillers in order to make the cable assembly round.

For additional information, READ: Fiber Optic Connectors Explained for additional information on Fiber Optic Cables.

Answered by AskFOC Technical Team May 27, 2025

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FOC FAQ Fiber Optic Center has a team of technical experts and marketing strategists with decades of years in the field. This team contributes to the fiber, cable and specialty industries coverage through news, alerts, reports and general media information.

About Fiber Optic Center, Inc.

Fiber Optic Center, Inc., (FOC), is an international leader in distributing fiber optic components, equipment and supplies and has been helping customers make the best cable assemblies in the world for over two decades. Several areas of specialization and expertise, in which they are the industry leader, make them the preferred choice for many of the world’s fiber professionals. In these key technology areas, FOC is "at least as technical as the manufacturer" about the products they sell. Striving to "make the business part easy," they offer outstanding and personal customer service, low or no minimum purchase order values, and from-stock delivery on industry-leading products and technology. FOC is the industry connection to the most innovative optical products, technologies and technical experts who integrate their manufacturing knowledge and vast experience into customers' worldwide operations. @FiberOpticCntr

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