Optical Fiber Patch Cords cables SC LC FC ST APC UPC Types Duplex cords

What is a fiber optic patch cord?

● A fiber-optic patch cord is a fiber optic cable capped at each end with connectors that allow it to be rapidly and conveniently

connected to telecommunication equipment. This is known as interconnect-style cabling.

Types of fiber optic patch cables

● There are many fiber optic patch cables (also known as optical fiber connectors), which are optical fiber connections attached to optical modules. The below types are mainly used in the market.

 

1 Connector Varieties and Contact Methods:

Connectors encompass a wide range, including FC, ST, SC, LC, MU, MPO/MTP, E2000, MTRJ, and SMA. End-face contact methods comprise PC, UPC, and APC. Notably, LC, SC, and MPO/MTP connectors are predominantly used to link optical modules, making them a pivotal consideration for users seeking optical fiber jumpers.

 

2 Color Indications and Tail Cover Diversity:

Connectors are further categorized by color. Blue signifies single-mode connectors, while beige and gray are typical for multi-mode connectors. The tail cover color options encompass gray, blue, green, white, red, black, and turquoise.

  

3 Fibr Core Count and Core Diameter:

The number of fiber cores offers choices like single-core, double-core, 4 cores, 6 cores, 8 cores, 12 cores, 24 cores, 48 cores, and 72 cores, or customization based on customer needs. Core diameter classification divides fibers into multimode (50μm-65μm) and single-mode (9μm). Multimode fibers support various modes within shorter distances, while single-mode fibers enable long-distance communication due to minimal intermodal dispersion.

  

4 ITU-T and ISO/IEC Standards:

ITU-T standards categorize communication fibers into G.651 to G.657, with G.651 as a multimode fiber and G.651-G.657 as single-mode fibers. In line with ISO/IEC, multimode fibers are classified as OM1-OM5, primarily used in local area networks (LANs) and data centers (DCNs). The mentioned fiber jumpers are available through ETU-LINK.  

5 Custom Fiber Length and Outer Sheath Materials:

Fiber length can be tailored according to customer specifications. The outer sheath material options also encompass ordinary, ordinary flame-retardant, low-smoke halogen-free (LZSH), low-smoke halogen-free flame-retardant, and armored variations. Armored jumpers, a recent innovation, offer heightened protection through stainless steel hoses, enhancing compressive and tensile strength beyond standard fiber optic patch cords. This makes them suitable for challenging environments like equipment rooms or hazardous situations.

How to Choose fiber optic patch cord/cables?

Choosing the right fiber optic patch cord involves considering various factors to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your network setup. Here’s a stepby- step guide to help you make an informed decision:

1: Connector Type and Compatibility:

Identify the connector types required for your equipment. Common types include SC, LC, ST, and MTP/MPO. Ensure that the patch cord connectors match the connectors on your devices and infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of how to make the right choice: 

● A. Matching Connector Ports:If the devices you areconnecting have identical connector ports, you should opt for connectors that match:

   LC-LC

   SC-SC

   MPO-MPO

● B. Different Connector Ports:For devices with differing connector ports, you’ll need connectors that can bridge the gap:

   LC-SC

   LC-ST

   LC-FC

● C. Applications and Connector Selection:The specific applications you have in mind will influence your choice of connector:

   1.25 mm LC: Suitable for XFP transceivers, SFP and SFP+ transceivers, and higher-density connections.

   2.5 mm SC: Appropriate for EPON, GPON, GBIC, X2 and XENPAK transceivers, as well as telecom and datacom applications.

   2.5 mm ST: Commonly used in military, campus, FTTH, datacom, and corporate network setups.

   2.5 mm FC: Ideal for telecom, datacom, singlemode lasers, and measurement equipment applications.

   2.5 x 6.4 mm MPO/MTP: Suited for 40G QSFP+ and 100G QSFP28 transceivers, as well as multi-fiber ribbon applications.

2:Fiber Mode (Single-mode or Multimode):

Determine whether your network uses single-mode or multimode fibers. Single-mode fibers are suitable for long-distance communication, while multimode fibers are better for shorter distances.ibbon applications.

 

3: Simplex or Duplex Fiber strands?

A simplex cable has one fiber connector at each end of the cable. One end is a transmitter, the other end is the receiver, and these are not reversible. This is commonly used for Bidirectional (BIDI) fiber optic transceivers. Simplex cables are less expensive and can transmit at higher speeds.

Duplex strands allow two fiber connectors to be joined side by side with a dual-fiber connector. One strand transmits one way, and the other strand transmits back the opposite way. This is a huge advantage over Simplex because it can transmit simultaneous bidirectional data.

4: Cable Length

You need to know the distance between your devices and then select the cable length you need. Fiber optic patch cable most commonly ranges in lengths between 0.5m – 50m.4

5: Connector Polish

There are types of connector polish, PC, UPC, and APC.UPC and APC are the most popular. The APC polish performs better because the loss is lower than the UPC connector. So you may want an APC polish if your applications are sensitive to return loss and require high-precision signaling. But APC is more expensive than UPC.

6: Cable Jackets

Fiber optic patch cable comes in different jacket types:

● Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH): A flame-retardant jacket is ideal to use between floors and buildings.

● Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): A tough jacket resistant to abrasion, oxidation, corrosion, and degradation. It weathers well, making it ideal for outdoor cabling or long lifespan cable needs.

● Optical Fiber Nonconductive Plenum (OFNP): These jackets are also flame retardant and have low smoke production making them ideal for network applications that run inside walls and air plenums without a conduit.

● Armored Cable: These jackets use double tubing and steel sleeves that donʼt allow light and have high crushing pressures, making them ideal for floor cables that can be stepped on or even nibbled on by rodents.

● Bend Insensitive: These jackets have a small bending radius and a high resistance to bend-related loss or damage. This type of patch cord is made for data center and FTTH applications and high-density cabling.

# 1： Fiber testing



# 2  Fiber core coloring


# 3  Fiber core coloring


#4 Fiber tube producing line


#5 PBT control


#6 Fiber twist


#7 Fiber twist2


#8 Jacket Finishing 1


#9 Jacket Finishing 2


#10 Process testing


#11 Connector finishing

LC to LC Type

SC to SC Type

Special Types