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FAQs

3M™ Light Fiber

Want to know more about light fiber? Click the questions below to view the answers.

  1. What is 3M Light Fiber?

  2. What are its special features?

  3. How does 3M Light Fiber transport light?

  4. What are some of the key considerations when using 3M Light Fiber?

  5. What are some examples of how 3M Light Fiber can be used?

  6. How is 3M Light Fiber different than fiber optic cable used for communication?

  8. How far can the light be transmitted?

  9. Are there restrictions as to where 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be used?

  10. What is the expected longevity of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber and the light source for the fiber-optic lighting system?

  11. What illuminators are designed for use with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?

  12. Are there many different types of illuminators?

  13. What additional supplies are required to install 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?

  1. What is 3M Light Fiber?
    3M Light Fiber is a major component of a remote-source lighting system which can be used for functional lighting, neon alternative perimeter lighting, signage, and displays.

    A system comprises various types of 3M Light Fiber, a specially designed illuminator, and installation accessories.

    Illuminator   3M Light Fiber - W-Rail

    3M Light Fiber for decoration   Fiber for transmission

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  2. What are its special features?
    The illuminator, which contains a lamp and electronic components can be installed in a convenient and safe location while the light is transported through the light fiber to where it is needed to illuminate a desired target or focal point.

    In some cases, multiple light  fibers can be connected to one light source. Typically this is done with transport endlight fiber. Multiple short lengths of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be used with some types of illuminators for specific desired effects. Longer lengths of up to 40 meters of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be used with high-performance illuminators for neon-like effects.

    Light is transmitted down the length of the fiber and emitted along the light fiber's surface.


    No electricity or ultraviolet (UV) light is transmitted through the light fiber.

    A neon-like effect can be achieved with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber and the proper illuminator.



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  3. How does 3M Light Fiber transport light?

    There are two general types of 3M Light Fiber:

    Transport End-Light: A black jacket is used so that the light is only visible from the fiber's end. This type of fiber is used either for transmitting light to be coupled with 3M™ HL High Luminance light fiber or as a spot light.


    3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber is designed to be three to five times brighter than regular, solid-core or stranded side-light fiber. It creates a uniform visual effect over lengths of up to forty meters, depending  on the illuminator and desired level of brightness.

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  4. What are some of the key considerations when using 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?
    To take full advantage of the potential of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber, please ask for assistance from our distributors or 3M during the planning stages.

    Illuminators are designed for different lighting levels. The intensity, brightness, and color of the light varies significantly. Please contact our distributors for specific information.

    Although 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber is flexible, some light will be lost if the fiber is bent. No significant amount of light is lost if the bend radius is more than eight times the diameter of the fiber. The sharper the bend, the larger the light loss.

    One fiber cannot transmit multiple colors of light at the same time through one fiber.

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  5. What are some examples of how 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be used?
    3M Light Fiber is great for signs where static or dynamic color changing is needed. There is no need to work in high or hard-to-reach places because of the use of remotely located illuminators.

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  6. How is 3M Light Fiber different than fiber optic cable used for communication?
    Although the method of light transmission is the same, communication fiber optics are specifically designed for different applications.

    Fiber optic cables used for communication are made from bundles of very small-diameter fibers, typically on the order of the thickness of human hair.

    3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber is a highly efficient light-transmission system for visible light. 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber is a large-core, plastic optical fiber; typical fiber core diameters range from 7 - 12 mm. The outside cladding ranges in diameter from 9.5-17.5mm.

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  7. How bright is the light?
    There is no easy answer to the question of how bright the light from 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be. Brightness is how the viewer perceives the light relative to the ambient lighting that surrounds it. The luminance will depend upon the illuminator used and the way the fiber is set up.




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  8. How far can the light be transmitted using 3M Light Fiber?
    3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber transmits light while emitting light from all surfaces of the fiber. The loss of light during transmission is approximately 3%/m (at 580 nm). At 10m, this translates to a 25% loss; at 20m it translates to a loss of approximately 45%, at 30m to a loss of about 60%; and at 40m to a loss of about 75%. The length of fiber that is visually uniform in brightness depends on the illuminator, type of fiber and whether there is one illuminator on each end or only a “singled ended” system. For very long distance applications, the loss of light can be corrected by using a light source at both ends of the distance.

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  9. Are there restrictions as to where 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber can be used?
    If the installation environment temperature is less than 60°C/140° F, the fiber can be used continuously. With some illuminators the ends of the fiber may require periodic polishing maintenance. While other illuminators do not require this same level of fiber maintenance. The fiber itself is resistant to water, chemicals and weather when used in temperature between 60°C/140°F and –34°C/-30°F. The use of 3M Fiber under water should be avoided.

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  10. What is the expected longevity of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?
    3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber has a 10-year life expectancy when used in temperatures between 60°C/140°F and –34°C/-30°F.

    The longevity of the illuminator depends largely on how often the light is used, the quality of the components and the environment where it is used. The life expectancy of the light source varies from illuminator to illuminator. Please see the illuminator specifications for more details.

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  11. What illuminators are designed for use with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?
    The illuminators designed for 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber are similar to a slide projector, but they are very specialized. They typically use metal halide lamps(HID) or light emitting diodes (LEDs). As is the case with most electric appliances, illuminators generate heat. Dust, humidity and water can all create additional hazards. Successful illuminators that work with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber have a light-condensing mechanism that gathers and directs a large quantity of light into one end of the fiber. The layout of the interior of the successful illuminator, which includes the light-condensing mechanism, is designed to ensure long fiber life and safe operation. Use of illuminators not designed for use with 3M Light Fiber should be avoided.

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  12. Are there many different types of illuminators?
    An illuminator with a halogen lamp (a type of incandescent lamp) is frequently used for displays. The lamp is generally less-expensive and has excellent color characteristics. Its total light flux is relatively low and bulb life may be short.


    For applications requiring brighter light, an illuminator with a metal halide(HID) lamp (a type of electric discharge lamp) is usually specified. Metal halide lamps may have longer lives, higher total light flux, and a moderate to high color temperature. These illuminators may be more expensive than halogen illuminators, but they typically have longer bulb life and they are significantly brighter. Neon replacement brightness cannot be achieved with a halogen bulb and long lengths of 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber.

    New special high-performance Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) can also be used with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber. These new high-performance LEDs generate very high total light flux. LEDs are small, light, energy efficient solid state electronics. They generally have long useful lives when assembled by electronic experts. Issues of heat, milli-amp regulation, moisture resistance and thermal expansion and contraction are some of the issues that MUST be address for LED systems to perform up to expectations with 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber. Failure to address these issues may cause premature failure of the LED light source.

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  13. What additional supplies are required to install 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber?
    There are different attachment accessories depending on how you would like to use 3M™ HL High Luminance Light Fiber and where the fiber will be located. These accessories include 3M’s high-performance channel and FEP heat shrink for splicing and polishing kits. These items can be purchased through our master distributors. See all accessories.

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3M Light Fiber