Types of Fiber Optic Patch Cable
Fiber optic patch cable, also known as fiber optic jumper or fiber optic patch cord, is an optical cable capped at both end with connectors and used to connect one telecommunication equipment to another. The optical connectors on the end of these patch cords shall be compatible with the connectors furnished on the optical device transmit and receive cards. Fiber optic patch cords are designed to interconnect or cross connect fiber networks within structured cabling systems. A fiber optic patch cord is constructed from a core with a high refractive index, surrounded by a coating with a low refractive index that is surrounded by a protective jacket. Fiber optic patch cable can be divided into different types based on different criteria.
According to the mode of the fiber used, fiber optic patch cable can be divided into two types: single-mode fiber patch cable and multi-mode fiber patch cable. Single-mode fiber patch cable is generally yellow with a blue connector on each end and has a small diametral core of 8 to 10 microns, which allows only one mode of light to propagate. Single-mode patch cable is popular in long-distance situations spanning hundreds of kilometers such as those required in long-haul telephony and cable TV applications. Multi-mode fiber patch cable is generally orange or gray with a cream or black connector. It uses 62.5/125 micron or 50/125 micron bulk multi-mode fiber terminated with multi-mode fiber optic connectors at both ends. Multi-mode fiber patch cable which supports more than one mode of light to propagate is mostly used for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on a campus.
Based on fiber cable structure, fiber optic patch cable can be classified into simplex fiber optic patch cable and duplex fiber optic patch cable. Simplex fiber patch cable has one fiber and one connector on each end. Simplex fiber patch cable can be used for applications that only require one-way data transfer. Duplex fiber patch cable has two fibers and two connectors on each end. Each fiber uses "A" or "B" or different colored connector boots to mark polarity. Duplex fiber patch cables are used in applications where data needs to be transferred simultaneously and bi-directionally, such as backbone ports, workstations, Ethernet switches, fiber switches and servers.
Since fiber optic patch cables have different connector types on each end to accommodate interconnection of devices with dissimilar connectors, they can also be classified by the connectors on either end of the cable. Some of the most common connectors include LC, FC, SC, ST, etc. For example, ST to ST fiber patch cable is an optical cable connected at each end with a ST connector; and LC to ST fiber patch cord is an optical cable connected with a LC connector at one end and a ST connector at the other end. With different connectors, fiber patch cables can be connected with various telecommunication equipment.
As a professional manufacturer and supplier for optical fiber products, Fiberstore provides various types of fiber optic patch cables including single-mode, multi-mode, multi-core, armored patch cables, fiber optic pigtails as well as other special patch cables. For most of the patch cables, the SC, ST, FC, LC, MU, MTRJ, E2000 connectors (APC/UPC polish) are all available. In addition, we also have MTP/MPO cables in stock.