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6 Steps Help You Choose Fiber Optic Patch Cables

2016-06-14 16:26:43 | Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic patch cable, also known as fiber optic patch cord or fiber patch cord, is one of the most fundamental components in optical communication. Fiber optic patch cables are available in OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 multimode and OS1, OS2 single-mode types. And each end of the cable is terminated with a high performance hybrid or single type connector comprising of a SC, ST, FC, LC, MTRJ, E2000 connector in simplex and duplex. Usually the fiber optic patch cables are classified by the fiber optic connector types, such as SC fiber patch cord, ST fiber optic patch cord, LC fiber optic patch cord, FC fiber optic patch cord, etc. With so many types of fiber optic patch cables, how to choose the right one for your network? Just follow these 6 steps.

Step 1: Choose the Right Connector Type (LC/SC/ST/FC/MPO/MTP)

On both ends of the fiber optic patch cable are terminated with a fiber optic connector (LC/SC/ST/FC/MPO/MTP). Different connector is used to plug into different device. If ports in the both ends devices are the same, we can use such as SC to SC patch cable, LC to LC patch cable. If you want to connect different ports type devices, LC-SC/LC-ST/LC-FC patch cables may suit you.

LC-SC-ST-FC-MPO-MTP-fiber-optic-patcah-cable

Step 2: Choose Single-mode or Multimode Cable Type?

Single-mode fiber patch cord uses 9/125um glass fiber, while multimode fiber patch cord uses 50/125um or 62.5/125um glass fiber. Single-mode fiber optic patch cable is used in long distance data transmission. multimode fiber optic patch cable is use in short distance transmission. Typical single-mode fiber optic patch cable used yellow fiber cable and multi mode fiber optic patch cable used orange or aqua fiber cable.

Step 3: Choose Simplex or Duplex Cable Type?

Simplex means this fiber optic patch cable is with one cord, at each end is only one fiber connector, which is used for bidirectional (BIDI) fiber optic transceivers. Duplex can be regarded as two fiber optic patch cable put side by side, which is used for common transceivers.

Step 4: Choose the Right Cable Length (0.5m/1m/5m/10m/20m/30m/50m)

Fiber optic patch cables are made in different lengths, usually from 0.5m to 50m. You should choose an appropriate cable length according to the distance between the devices you want to connect.

Step 5: Choose the Right Connector Polish Type (UPC/APC)

Since the loss of the APC connector is lower than UPC connectors, usually, the optical performance of APC connectors is better than UPC connectors. In the current market, the APC connectors are widely used in applications such as FTTx, passive optical network (PON) and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) that are more sensitive to return loss. But APC connector is usually expensive than UPC connector, so you should weigh the pros and cons. With those applications that call for high precision optical fiber signaling, APC should be the first consideration, but less sensitive digital systems will perform equally well using UPC. Usually, connector color of APC patch cable is green, and of UPC patch cable is blue.

UPC-APC-fiber-optic-patch-cable

Step 6: Choose the Right Cable Jacket (PVC/LSZH/OFNP/Armored)

Usually, there are three cable jacket types: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) and Optical Fiber Nonconductive Plenum (OFNP). You can see their features in figure below and choose the right one for your network.

Apart from those three types of cables mentioned above, there is another common cable—Armored Cable. The double tubing and steel sleeve construction make these patch cables completely light tight, even when bent. These cables can withstand high crushing pressures, making them suitable for running along floors and other areas where they may be stepped on. The tubing also provides excellent cutting resistance, abrasion resistance, and high tensile strength.

As a global leading designer, manufacturer of high quality components and systems for the photonics industry at competitive prices, FS.COM provides various type of fiber optic cables and fiber patch cords including common single-mode 9/125, OM1 62.5/125, 10GOM3/OM4 patch cables, armored patch cables, fiber optic pigtails, multi core patch cables, MPO/MTP patch cables and other special patch cables, with SC, ST, FC, LC, MU, MTRJ, E2000, APC/UPC terminations including LC to SC patch cable, SC SC patch cords, etc.


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