Fiber counts can be from One Fiber to 144 Fibers. Choices are: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144. It is recommended to always pull more fiber than needed. You only get to pull once and future content demands will continue to. This guide walks you through the simple decision steps engineers use, the common strand counts on the market, and clear rules-of-thumb for different project types so you choose a cable that fits both today's needs and tomorrow's growth. Begin by listing what the network must support now and in five. These cables are composed of multiple optical fibers, each capable of carrying data signals in the form of light. Need Help? Monoprice offers a wide range of fiber optic cables for both networking and audio setups. The optical fiber elements are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube. How many strands of fiber do you need? • Fiber optic cables commonly come in multiples of 2 fiber increments, such as 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 144 fiber configurations. Made from either high-quality glass or plastic, the core plays a critical role in determining the cable's performance.