{"product_id":"the-light-thread-side-glow-fiber-optic-cable","title":"The Light Thread | PMMA Side Glow Fiber Optic Cable, 5 Meter Run","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-narrative\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.85;color:#3a3a3a;margin:0 0 18px 0;\"\u003eLight that travels inside a material instead of across it changes what a surface can be. A side glow fibre does not project a beam and does not cast a shadow; it becomes the line itself, a continuous thread of even luminance that bends around a corner, disappears into a wall and reappears on the other side of a room without a visible source. This is the material behind star ceilings, illuminated counters and the soft perimeter lines in hospitality interiors, and it is sold here by the five meter run in four diameters so a design can be tested before a ceiling is opened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.85;color:#3a3a3a;margin:0 0 18px 0;\"\u003eThe core is PMMA, an optical acrylic chosen for clarity and toughness rather than for the cheapest possible extrusion. Light is carried by total internal reflection across a 380 to 780 nm range, which means the entire visible spectrum passes through without the amber shift that cheaper cores impose on white light. Attenuation sits around 7000 dB\/km, so a five meter run loses almost nothing perceptible. The cable is not electrically conductive: it attaches to an illuminator at one end only, carries no current through its length, produces virtually no heat, and emits no UV or IR, which matters when the installation sits behind fabric or near artwork that would fade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.85;color:#3a3a3a;margin:0 0 18px 0;\"\u003eTwo finishes are available for a reason. The transparent version behaves as a light pipe and glows along its length with a hard, crisp edge; the milky version diffuses the emitted light into a softer, wider halo and hides the internal refraction pattern that some designers dislike. Diameters run 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm and 6mm, and the smaller gauges bend to a radius that a rigid acrylic rod cannot approach, which is what makes lettering and tight curves possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.85;color:#4a4a4a;font-style:italic;border-left:3px solid #b08d57;padding-left:16px;margin:26px 0 0 0;\"\u003eA cable is not a lamp. It is a way of making the line itself luminous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-features\" style=\"margin-top:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:19px;letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px 0;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eWhat You Are Actually Buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  PMMA optical core: clarity and toughness, not the brittle recycled acrylic used in budget fibre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  Full visible spectrum transmission across 380 to 780 nm, so white light stays white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  Attenuation around 7000 dB\/km, meaning a five meter run loses almost nothing visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  Non-conductive and water tolerant: no current through the length, no shock path in wet installations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  No UV and no IR output, safe behind textiles, artwork and veneer that would otherwise fade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  Milky finish diffuses to a soft halo, transparent finish keeps a crisp luminous edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#3a3a3a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#b08d57;\"\u003e✦\u003c\/span\u003e  Bends to a tight radius in 2mm and 2.5mm gauges for lettering, curves and star ceilings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-specs\" style=\"margin-top:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:19px;letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px 0;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eCore material\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  PMMA (optical acrylic)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eItem type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Side glow solid core fibre optic cable\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eDiameters available\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  2 mm \/ 2.5 mm \/ 3 mm \/ 6 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eFinish options\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Milky diffused \/ transparent clear\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eWavelength range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  380-780 nm, full visible spectrum\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eAttenuation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  approx. 7000 dB\/km\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eLength per order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  5 meters\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eBend behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Flexible, excellent toughness, tight radius at small gauges\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eHeat output\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Virtually none at the cable surface\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eUV \/ IR emission\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  None\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eIlluminator compatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Standard LED fibre optic illuminator engines\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #ececec;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eElectrical\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e  Non-conductive, no current carried along the cable\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-applications\" style=\"margin-top:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:19px;letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px 0;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eWhere This Belongs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#3a3a3a;margin:0;\"\u003eInterior designers specify side glow fibre when a ceiling has to read as sky, when a bar front needs a line of light with no visible fixture, or when a stair nosing needs illumination that survives being stepped on. Sign makers use the 2mm and 2.5mm gauges for illuminated lettering and logo outlines, where the fibre traces a shape that an LED strip cannot follow without visible joins. Aquarium and model builders use the milky finish to fake depth inside a diorama. Because the cable carries no current and generates no measurable heat, it is also the practical answer for installations inside fabric drapes, behind timber slats and in humid rooms where a conventional fixture would need an IP-rated housing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-faq\" style=\"margin-top:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:19px;letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px 0;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eQuestions Worth Asking\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eDoes the cable light up along its whole length or only at the ends?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003eAlong its whole length. This is a side glow fibre, so light escapes laterally through the cladding. The transparent version produces a crisp visible line; the milky version spreads that line into a wider halo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eWhat illuminator do I need?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003eAny standard LED fibre optic illuminator engine with a matching port. The cable carries no electronics of its own, so brightness is entirely a function of the illuminator's output and the run length. A 5 meter run of 6mm cable needs a noticeably stronger engine than a 5 meter run of 2mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eCan I cut it to length?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003eYes. Cut square with a sharp blade or hot knife and re-polish the cut end, because a ragged end scatters light and dims the whole run. The cut end is where the illuminator couples, so squareness matters more than length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eIs it safe near water or outdoors?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003eThe fibre itself is non-conductive and tolerant of moisture, which is why it is used in wet rooms and aquarium builds. The illuminator and coupler are not waterproof and must be housed separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eWill 6mm bend around a tight corner?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003e6mm is the stiffest gauge in the range and wants a generous radius. If the design has tight curves or lettering, specify 2mm or 2.5mm and accept lower total light output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 5px 0;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#1a1a1a;\"\u003eDoes it get hot or fade fabrics?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:#4a4a4a;\"\u003eNo measurable heat at the cable surface and no UV or IR emission, which is why it can be run behind drapes, behind veneer and beside textiles without discolouration over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-gallery\" style=\"margin-top:36px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0;text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/H6d0bf6dd33e24c4bb4a24cfed4b6a33at.webp?v=1732144115\" alt=\"Product detail\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px;\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0;text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/Hcb41e36117cd442fbacb3b221fc5726ac.webp?v=1732144116\" alt=\"Product detail\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px;\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0;text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/HTB13xSalmtYBeNjSspaq6yOOFXak.webp?v=1732144115\" alt=\"Product detail\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px;\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0;text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/S77f550a01556406a941673fab0b166f8j.webp?v=1732144115\" alt=\"Product detail\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:6px;\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"Product\",\"name\":\"The Light Thread | PMMA Side Glow Fiber Optic Cable, 5 Meter Run\",\"description\":\"Side glow PMMA fibre optic cable in 2mm to 6mm, milky or clear, 5 meter runs for star ceilings, illuminated lettering and architectural lines.\",\"brand\":{\"@type\":\"Brand\",\"name\":\"EastSupplier\"},\"sku\":\"KG-M-3\",\"image\":\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/H6d0bf6dd33e24c4bb4a24cfed4b6a33at.webp?v=1732144115\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/eastsupplier.com\/products\/the-light-thread-side-glow-fiber-optic-cable\",\"offers\":{\"@type\":\"Offer\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/eastsupplier.com\/products\/the-light-thread-side-glow-fiber-optic-cable\",\"priceCurrency\":\"USD\",\"price\":\"48.33\",\"availability\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\"itemCondition\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\"seller\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"EastSupplier\"}},\"aggregateRating\":{\"@type\":\"AggregateRating\",\"ratingValue\":\"4.75\",\"reviewCount\":\"4\"}}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"East Supplier Platform","offers":[{"title":"Transparent \/ 2.5mm diameter","offer_id":46476627771615,"sku":"1005002483178009-Transparent-2.5mm diameter","price":16.38,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Transparent \/ 2mm diameter","offer_id":46476627804383,"sku":"1005002483178009-Transparent-2mm diameter","price":15.43,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Milky \/ 2mm diameter","offer_id":46476627837151,"sku":"1005002483178009-Milky-2mm diameter","price":22.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Milky \/ 6mm diameter","offer_id":46476627869919,"sku":"1005002483178009-Milky-6mm diameter","price":48.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Transparent \/ 6mm diameter","offer_id":46476627902687,"sku":"1005002483178009-Transparent-6mm diameter","price":35.87,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Transparent \/ 3mm diameter","offer_id":46476627935455,"sku":"1005002483178009-Transparent-3mm diameter","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Milky \/ 2.5mm diameter","offer_id":46476627968223,"sku":"1005002483178009-Milky-2.5mm diameter","price":24.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Milky \/ 3mm diameter","offer_id":46476628000991,"sku":"1005002483178009-Milky-3mm diameter","price":33.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0503\/6412\/1244\/files\/H6d0bf6dd33e24c4bb4a24cfed4b6a33at.webp?v=1732144115","url":"https:\/\/eastsupplier.com\/pt-jp\/products\/the-light-thread-side-glow-fiber-optic-cable","provider":"EastSupplier Platform","version":"1.0","type":"link"}