Purchasing Resources for Fiber Optic Lighting

Fiber Optic Lighting Key Terms

Brighten what you know about fiber optics with some key terms
By Meredith Fagioli Fiber optic lights are glass or plastic tubes that carry light along it. Stringing together lengths of fiber optic lighting can be complicated. You must use special tools to connect them in order to ensure the light travels uninterrupted. If you are looking to add fiber optic lighting to your business or begin to employ technicians that have fiber optic lighting experience, you should have a basic knowledge of the topic. Spend some time learning some key terms to give you an understanding of what fiber optic lighting is all about.
 

Nanometer

The nanometer, or nm, is the measurement unit that is used to measure light wavelengths. A nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter, with a meter being 39 inches long.
Try: There is another definition for nanometer at JimHayes.com. There are other key terms in their alphabetical fiber optic glossary.

Adapter

The adapter is the tool that is used to put together two fiber optic lighting connectors.
Try: At Molex Incorporated, you can find more information on adapters and other fiber optic lighting key terms.

Core

The core of fiber optic lighting is the center of a fiber optic cable where the light gets transmitted.
Try: At CableOrganizer.com, you can read the definition of the core of a fiber optic lighting cable.

Micrometer

The micrometer is the measurement of the dimension of the optical fiber itself. One micrometer is equal to one millionth of a meter, with a meter being 39 inches.
Try: Head over to wiseGEEK to learn more on the micrometer. They have a very detailed article on what a micrometer is and what it is used to measure.

Jumper

A jumper refers to a fiber optic cable that has connectors on both sides. This type of cable would be in the middle, since it has two connectors, versus the cable that is on the end which would only have one connector.
Try: Read more about jumpers at Lascomm. While there, check out the other fiber optic key terms they have listed.

Insertion loss

When a fiber optic lighting cable suffers insertion loss, it means that the cable power has decreased. This is usually due to something being added to the cable line or the line being spliced.
Try: At Draka Cableteq USA, you can find more information on insertion loss, as well as many other fiber optic key terms.