The optical fiber strand is the basic element of a fiber optic cable. It is made of glass or plastic and is responsible for transmitting light signals over long distances. All fiber strands have at least three components to their cross sections: the core, the cladding, and the. A TOSLINK optical fiber cable with a clear jacket. These cables are used mainly for digital audio connections between devices. A fiber-optic cable, also known as an optical-fiber cable, is an assembly similar to an electrical cable but containing one or more optical fibers that are used to carry. A fiber optic cable consists of five basic components: the core, the cladding, the coating, the strengthening fibers, and the cable jacket.