We highly recommend you calculate the budget for your specific installation. Please bear this in mind. Since there are two distinct types of fiber cable, and two commonly used wavelengths, the attenuation measurement will vary depending upon which cable and wavelength is in use. Please note that the decibel scale is logarithmic, therefore a 1 dB difference represents a factor of ten. The higher the data rate, the shorter the distance the signal can travel before modal dispersion creates an inability to accurately detect a 1 from a 0 .
Modal dispersion is only a concern with multi-mode cable.
This incoherent reflection creates greater attenuation. Although small and often insignificant, there is no perfect loss-less splice. Many errors in loss calculations are made due to a failure to include splices. Like splices, there is no perfect loss-less connector. It is important to note that even the highest quality connectors can get dirty.