
QUESTION: How many categories are there for buffered fibers?
ANSWER:
As one looks at individually buffered fibers there are two general categories. First a loose tube which is typically a large rigid tube whose ID is many times the diameter of the coated optical fiber.
-
This is commonly called “black cable” such as outside plant cables that are hold fibers (typically 24 to 288 fibers in one cable) and many fibers are in one “tube” These are usually terminated in a splice case and are protected by a UVcoating placed on the glass at drawing.
A Second is a tight buffer that is in intimate contact with the coated optical fiber.
-
This is the most common type of buffered fiber to be connectorized.
READ THE FULL BLOG ARTICLE HERE: Defining type and semi tight buffers as opposed to loose tubes in optical cables
ADDITIONAL CONTENT & RESOURCES:
- Category Resources:
- Find More Information in this Blog: Defining type and semi tight buffers as opposed to loose tubes in optical cables

Have a technical question for Fiber Optic Center?
Please email your question to AskFOC@focenter.com and we will respond ASAP.
In addition to replying, we will post your question and our answer here on focenter.com. Everyone remains anonymous when we post so feel comfortable asking. You can also search your question and others in our content search.
This article is an original publication of Fiber Optic Center, Inc. It is shared publicly for educational and reference purposes to support learning and professional development within the fiber optics industry.
You are welcome to read, cite, or reference this material for non-commercial and educational purposes, as long as full credit is given to Fiber Optic Center, Inc. and the author.
Reuse, reproduction, or adaptation of this content — including rewriting, republishing, or incorporating it into new materials (such as websites, blogs, marketing text, technical guides, or AI-generated content) — is not permitted without prior written consent from Fiber Optic Center, Inc.
This material is protected by copyright law upon publication, even if not formally registered.
Use of this content for AI training, automated data extraction, or derivative content generation is prohibited.
Fiber Optic Center monitors and enforces the integrity of its intellectual property through digital identifiers and content tracking.
For more details, please refer to the Fiber Optic Center Content Use and Copyright policy.


