Cable & Wire | High quality and excellent service at reasonable prices.
info@zion-communication.com

News Details

HOME » News / Blog » Optical Communication » Professional Guide: SC to SC Fiber Patch Cord – Specifications, Applications, and Testing

Professional Guide: SC to SC Fiber Patch Cord – Specifications, Applications, and Testing

Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 06-06-2025      Origin: Site


 SC to SC Fiber Patch Cord: Complete Guide for Multimode and Single Mode Applications

Professional Guide: This particular product is a SC to SC Fiber Patch Cord with specifications, application uses, and testing procedures. The SC to SC fiber patch cord holds a key position in fiber optic communication systems. It guarantees the proper and effective operation of the communication system. The present article serves as a comprehensive guide for SC-type fiber patch cords, especially in familiarizing their specifications, color codes, available lengths, application scenarios, and quality tests. This guideline is aimed at technicians, installation engineers, and sellers to assist them in their appropriate decisions.


 

 What is SC to SC Fiber Patch Cord? 

The SC to SC fiber patch cord, or in other words, a fiber optical jumper cable, features SC connectors on both ends. The product is marketed in single mode and multimode variants, appropriate for a wide scope of use, including data centers, telecommunications, and LAN networks. 

Main Types: 

  • SC to SC Single Mode Fiber Patch Cord

  • SC to SC Multimode Fiber Patch Cord



 Technical Specifications & Color Coding 

To guarantee the proper transfer of optical signals, fiber patch cords must be manufactured in accordance with certain technical specifications. The SC to SC fiber patch cord is offered in either a single mode (long-distance transmission) or multimode (high-speed short-range transmission). 

Connector types, color codes, and insertion/return loss specifications are vital to the efficacy. 

SC/UPC connectors feature a flat polish which is president in areas of general purpose. 

SC/APC connectors, used in applications with low reflection levels, include an angled polish, suitable for video and high-power systems. 

Use of colour codes (e.g. yellow for single mode, orange/aqua for multi-mode) simplifies the job of identification and helps avoid installation errors.


Category

Single Mode Fiber

Multimode Fiber

Notes

Core Size

9/125 µm

50/125 µm or 62.5/125 µm

Single mode is ideal for long-distance transmission

Connector Types

SC UPC / SC APC Simplex / Duplex

SC UPC Duplex

APC is primarily used for single mode

Color Code

Yellow

Orange / Aqua

Yellow = SM, Orange/Aqua = MM

Typical Lengths

1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 10m

1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 10m

Custom lengths available

Fiber Jacket

Silicone-coated optical fiber

Silicone-coated optical fiber

Durable and flexible

Jacket Material

PVC / LSZH

PVC / LSZH

LSZH = low smoke zero halogen (safer indoors)

Insertion Loss

≤ 0.3 dB

≤ 0.5 dB

Lower is better

Return Loss

UPC ≥ 50 dB, APC ≥ 60 dB

≥ 35 dB

APC has the lowest reflection

 



 Length and Color Reference 

Standard lengths are the basis for fiber patch cords, covering many patch cord environments ranging from patch panels in tight racks to longer inter-rack or cross-room connections. 

The outer jacket color serves not only for decoration but also for a fast identification of fiber type and space for improvement on fiber cable routing. 

The symbol for single mode fiber is the Yellow color. 

The different kinds of multimode fiber are indicated by either orange or aqua and are referred to as OM1/OM2 or OM3/OM4 (the former is for OM1/OM2 and the latter for OM3/OM4 respectively). 

Popular lengths like 1m, 3m, 5m, and 10m are available, besides other ones that can be requested for special cases. 

Proper length selection helps avoid risky situations like excess slack or tension that can be damaging to the fiber.


Jacket Color

Fiber Type

Typical Lengths (m)

Notes

Yellow

Single Mode (SM)

1, 2, 3, 5, 10

Standard for single mode patch cords

Orange

Multimode OM1/OM2

1, 2, 3, 5, 10

For short-distance MM applications

Aqua

Multimode OM3/OM4

1, 2, 3, 5, 10

Ideal for 10G/40G high-speed data

 



 Application Scenarios 

SC to SC patch cords are applied in a range of industries and situations. The selection of the type is often governed by factors such as transmission distance, required data rate and interface compatibility. 

Here are some of the most common application environments: 

Data Centers – High-density and high-speed connection between servers and switches is facilitated by multimode patch cords. 

Metro Networks or Backbone Links – Patch cords with a single mode for the long-haul connections with low-loss. 

FTTH Deployments – SC APC patch cords having simplex configuration possesses low return loss. Therefore, these cords are best used as a fiber connection for last-mile optical interlinks. 

Test Labs or On-Site Maintenance – For 10-meter patch cords that are utilized for flexibility purposes during diagnostics and immediate system setups. 

Careful consideration of fiber type and connector polish brings the development of reliable networks with a high level of performance.


Application Scenario

Recommended Type

Description

Data Center Cabling

SC to SC Multimode Fiber Patch Cord

High-speed short-range, cost-effective

Metropolitan Network Links

SC to SC Single Mode Fiber Patch Cord

Long-distance, low attenuation

FTTH (Fiber to the Home)

SC APC Simplex

APC minimizes reflection for stable transmission

Equipment Interconnection

SC Single Mode or Multimode Patch Cord

Depends on port type and performance requirements

Field Testing & Maintenance

Standard length such as Patch Cord 10 Meter

Useful for equipment testing and temporary connections

 


 Testing Equipment & Quality Control 

High-quality fibers offered include SC to SC patch cords tested right through with adherence to international standards like IEC and Telcordia. 

Common methods for inspection and testing are: 

Insertion loss and return loss tests conducted by using power meters and OTDRs for validation of signal losses as low as possible. 

End-face inspection using a fiber microscope for cleanliness and polish quality is confirmed. 

Mechanical strength tests used in verifying durability include tensile and bending tests. 

The test of jacket integrity and color verification is performed in order to make sure that the quality and requirements are met, and it is very important for LSZH environments. 

No patch cords should be put in such critical operations if they did not pass all the quality tests.


Test Item

Equipment Used

Standard / Requirement

Insertion Loss

Optical Power Meter + Light Source

≤ 0.3 dB (SM), ≤ 0.5 dB (MM)

Return Loss

OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)

UPC ≥ 50 dB, APC ≥ 60 dB

End-Face Quality

Fiber Inspection Microscope

Clean, scratch-free, well-polished

Mechanical Strength

Tensile Tester, Bend Test Machine

Must meet durability standards

Length & Color

Visual Inspection + Tape Measure

Match customer's specs and coding standards

 


 Summary & Recommendations 

When searching for an SC to SC fiber patch cord, it is useful to consider some of these features. 

Fiber Type: Determine whether the connection is single mode for long distance or multimode for short-distance, high-speed data transportation. 

Connector Type: Employed SC APC simplex connectors where precision is crucial (e.g., FTTH). 

Color & Length: Observing the industry standard provides a ready reference for identification. The scale of patch cords 10m is normal for rack-to-rack and equipment links. 

Application Needs: The environments, whether they are a data center, telecom room, or field deployment, can change. So, we can tailor the cable type to that environment. 

Taking certified testing, routine connector polishing, and durable jacket materials into consideration when manufacturing high-quality SC to SC multimode and single mode patch cords guarantee both long-term reliability and effectiveness.

 

Need custom fiber patch cords or technical advice? 

Reach out for personalized solutions and product catalogs from our staff.


James Zion



James is a technical manager and associate at Zion Communication. 

Specializes in Optical Fiber communications,  FTTH Solutions, 

Fiber optic cables,  ADSS cable, and ODN networks.

james@zion-communication.com

+86 13777460328





We use cookies to enable all functionalities for the best performance during your visit and to improve our services by giving us some insight into how the website is being used. Continued use of our website without changing your browser settings confirms your acceptance of these cookies. For details, please see our privacy policy.
×