Learn to Identify Various Fiber Patch Cables

Fiber patch cable, also called fiber patch cord is the most fundamental component in today’s fiber optic network. It is the core of fiber optic connectivity in communication systems. However, many people are only familiar with the most common standard fiber patch cable. In fact, various kinds of fiber patch cables with unique and special functionality are already available in the market. This article will introduce several types of these fiber patch cables and tells you how to identify them.

How to Select Standard Fiber Patch Cable?

When selecting the standard fiber patch cables, the followings are the most frequently asked questions.

What’s the fiber type of the patch cable? The available selection are Multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) and single-mode (OS1 and OS2).
What’s the connector type and connector polishing type on the two ends of fiber patch cable? Currently the most commonly used fiber patch cables are usually terminated with LC, SC and MPO connectors. For example, an SC LC fiber patch cable is terminated with one SC connector on one end and one LC connector on the other end, while the LC LC cable is with two LC connectors on each end.
What’s the fiber count of the patch cable? Simplex (one fiber) and duplex (2 fibers) fiber patch cable are very common. For fiber patch cables terminated with MTP/MPO connector or breakout fiber patch cables. Their fiber count would be larger, sometime up to 24 fibers or more.
What’s the material of the fiber patch cable jacket? PVC, LSZH, Armored, and OFNP are the choice of most situations.

Not All Fiber Patch Cable Are Created Equal

With the wide deployment of fiber patch cables in fiber optic communication, the requests for fiber patch cables are gradually being refined. Fiber patch cables are expected to provide more functions to satisfy various application environments. Actually, many specially made fiber patch cables have been created to meet these requirements. Here are some unique but useful fiber patch cables for your references.

Bend Insensitive Fiber Patch Cable for Lower Signal Loss

Bend loss issues are always a headache problem for most fiber optic network designers and installers. Why? Cause signal loss caused by bend loss issues are really hard to handle. In addition the bend loss issues are difficult to locate. That’s why bend insensitive fiber patch cables are created. Literally, it tells us that this type of fiber patch cable is not as sensitive as other fiber patch cables. The secrets is lays on the fibers which is made of bend insensitive glass. More and more data centers and FTTH systems are tend to use these bend insensitive fiber patch cables, because they do not provide lower signal loss, but also provide a much more durable and easy to maintain networking environment. Fiber optic installer is able to save installation cost with faster installation due to easier fiber optic cable handling.

bend insensitive fiber patch cables

Keyed LC Fiber Patch Cable for Data Security

Keyed LC fiber patch cable, is also called secured LC fiber patch cable. Because fiber optic connectors on the two ends of fiber patch cables are specially designed as LC connectors, which can ensure the data security at the mechanic level. Keyed LC fiber patch cable is identified by the connector color. Keyed LC fiber patch cable is just a part of the Keyed LC connectivity product family. It should be used with the same colored fiber adapters or fiber adapter panels. Each color of a set of keyed LC connectivity products represents a unique keying pattern that only allows matched color mating. This is how keyed LC fiber patch cable can provide data security for fiber optic network.

Uniboot LC Fiber Patch Cable for Easier Cable Management

Uniboot LC fiber patch cable is a fiber patch cable with two fibers wrapped in the same strand of cable. A duplex LC fiber optic connector which can provide easy polarity reversal is terminated on each end of the uniboot LC fiber patch cable. The following picture show the polarity reversal of a typical uniboot LC fiber patch cable. With less cabling space are require, better cooling is available. With easier polarity reversal, no additional tools are required. And easier cable management can be enjoyed.

HD TAB Fiber Patch Cable for Space Saving

HD (high density) TAB fiber patch cable is a fiber patch cable with its connectors attached with a push pull tab, which can provide easier finger access and cable locating. Today’s fiber optic network is increasing depended on high density which results in difficult finger access and difficult cable management. With a push-pull tab attached on the connector, problem are solved easily. The connecting and disconnection of fiber patch cables will be easier without affecting other surrounding links. Currently most HD TAB fiber patch cables available the market are terminated with LC and MTP/MPO connectors.

HD Uniboot LC Fiber Patch Cable—Space Saving to the Extreme

HD uniboot LC fiber patch cable combine the advantages of uniboot LC fiber patch cable and HD TAB fiber patch cable. Combining two optical fibers in a single cable strand and attaching a push-pull tab on the connectors, HD uniboot LC fiber patch cable can minimize the required cabling spaces to extreme. It is an ideal solution for high density cabling environment.