We know that fiber patch cable is composed of a fiber optic cable terminated with different connectors on the ends. When selecting the fiber patch cables, what we need to consider is more than the optical cables and components they carries, there are many other devices involved in the connection with fiber patch cables that have to be taken into careful considerations. For example, in terms ofthe fiber types, there are multimode fibers OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 and single-mode fiber OS2, and same for the connectors, there are SC, ST, FC, LC, MTP/MPO, MTRJ, E2000 and otherconnectors that can be used in different applications and devices.
Facing with so many options of fiber patch cables in the practical applications, how could we choose the right one or ones for our fiber optic network or system? Just let below six easy steps to help you make it.
1. Select the right connector type (LC / SC / ST / FC / MPO / MTP)
Different connectors are used to insert different devices. If the ports of devices at both ends are the same, you can use the LC-LC / SC-SC / MPO-MPO fiber jumper. LC-SC / LC-ST / LC-FC fiber jumper may be suitable if you want to connect devices with different types of port.
2. Single-mode or multi-mode fiber, how to select?
Single-mode fiber jumpers use 9 / 125um fiber, multi-mode fiber jumpers use 50 / 125um fiber or 62.5 / 125um fiber. Single-mode fiber jumpers are mainly used for long-distance data transmission. Multi-mode fiber jumpers are mainly used for short-distance transmission. The general single-mode fiber jumpers can be identified by the yellowjackets and themulti-mode fiber jumpers are with orange or blue jackets.
3.Simplex or duplex fiber optic cables, which one do you need?
Simplex fiber optic cable means that the fiber jumper is equipped with only one cable, with only one fiber connector at each end for the bidirectional (BIDI) optical module. Duplex fiber optic cables can be seen as two side-by-side fiber jumpers for ordinary optical modules.
4. Select the right length (1m / 5m / 10m / 20m / 30m / 50m)
Fiber patch cables have different lengths which are normally within 0.5m – 50m, but currently, customized length is also available for lots of fiber optic manufacturers such as Cozlink. You can select a proper length according to the distance between the devices to be connected.
5. Select the right polishing type of connectors (UPC / APC)
The loss generated by APC connector is lower than that generated by the UPC connector, because of which, the APC connector typically has better optical performance than the UPC connector. In the current market, APC connectors are widely used in FTTx, Passive Optical Network (PON) and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and the applications which are relativelymore susceptibleto the return loss. However, the APC connector is usually more expensive than the UPC connector. So you should consider based on your actual application whether you really need an APC connector or not. For those applications where require high-precision optical signals, APC connector should be the first consideration; but for the other less sensitive systems, UPC connectors will perform as good as APC. Typically, the fiber jumper with the APC connector is green and the color with the UPC connector is blue.
6. Select the right jacket of fiber jumper (PVC / LSZH / OFNP / Armor)
Typically, there are three common types of jackets for fiber patch cords: PVC, LSZH, OFNP. PVC jacket is generally common, with general fire resistance, but is the one with the lowest price; LSZH jacket is made of low-smoke halogen-free material, environment friendly and good flame retardance, but the price is more expensive; OFNP jacket refers to the US Fire Safety Council standards, this material is able to flame retardant, and would be automatically extinguishedwithout fire, but it is the most expensive, suitable for large-scale data centers.
In addition to the above three jumper jackets, there is another type called armored fiber jumpers. Its steel casing structure makes it very strong to protect the fiber, bending resistance ability is relatively better; this type of fiber jumper cable can withstand higher pressures, so they are suitable to be laid along the floor and in other areas that may be trampled. This fiber jumper also has a strong wear resistance, anti-pulls, and anti-rat bite and so on.
Conclusion
Technically, among all the kinds of fiber optic products, fiber patch cable is relatively easier to understand. The above 6 aspects are the most critical elements which can help you know about fiber patch cable in a short time or keep you from the inferior or wrong fiber patch cables when doing purchase. Fiber patch cords are widely used in various fiber optic network systems with playing a significant role, so selecting the right fiber patch cables will definitely make your network system and devices free from the low efficiency or needless troubles.