Multimode fiber color order

Multimode fiber types are identified primarily by jacket color: OM1 is orange, OM2 is gray, OM3 and OM4 are aqua (sometimes violet for OM4), and OM5 is lime green.Jacket Color IdentificationOM1 (62.5/125 µm): Orange jacket; legacy fiber with lower modal bandwidth, suitable for older 10/100 Mbps networks .OM2 (50/125 µm): Gray jacket; improved modal bandwidth (500 MHz·km @ 850 nm) compared to OM1 .OM3 (50/125 µm, laser-optimized): Aqua jacket; designed for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and higher-speed applications .OM4 (50/125 µm, laser-optimized): Aqua jacket by default, but some manufacturers use violet to distinguish from OM3; higher modal bandwidth (4,700 MHz·km @ 850 nm) for longer 10G/40G/100G links .OM5 (50/125 µm, SWDM): Lime green jacket; supports Short Wave Division Multiplexing for multiple channels on a single fiber pair, though modal bandwidth is similar to OM4 . Note: Always check the printed legend on the cable jacket, as some manufacturers may use non-standard colors or legacy cables may not follow the current TIA-598-C scheme .Connector Color CodingMultimode connectors: Typically beige for OM1/OM2 and aqua for OM3/OM4; OM5 may follow aqua or lime depending on manufacturer .Single-mode connectors: Blue (UPC) or green (APC) to indicate polish type; do not mix with multimode connectors to avoid damage .Fiber Strand IdentificationInside multi-fiber cables, individual fibers follow a 12-color sequence defined by TIA-598-C: Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate, White, Red, Black, Yellow, Violet, Rose, Aqua. For cables with more than 12 fibers, the sequence repeats with stripe markers to maintain unique identification .Practical TipsAlways verify printed specifications on the jacket rather than relying solely on color, especially for OM3 vs OM4 or legacy cables .Connector color helps quickly identify fiber type and polish style, reducing the risk of mode mismatch or return loss issues .High-density installations may use additional color markers or stripes to differentiate fibers in large bundles . By following these color conventions, technicians can efficiently identify multimode fiber types, maintain proper connectivity, and ensure network performance and safety.