Fiber Optic Patch Cord And Cable
Fiber optic patch cord and cable are ideal for high-data rate / high-through put networks. These include Gigabit Ethernet, ATM, FDDI and “dark fiber” for proprietary systems.
Fiber is also preferred over copper wire for long distance connections since wire experiences signal degradation due to the inherent resistive property of the wire.
Fiber optic connections are also more secure in that the optical signal can not be monitored or eavesdropped without a making a physical splice into the cable.
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Fiber optics (FO) are characterized as either “Multi-mode (MM)” or “Single-mode (SM)” . The mode refers to the number of spatial components in the optical signal in the fiber optic cable. In general, SM fiber and associated transmitters / receivers are more expensive than MM.
Multi-mode implementations will have more than one spatial component which limits the connection distance and maximum data rate. MM fiber typically supports 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps up to 2000 feet (600 meters). MM fiber is specified by the dimension of the fiber optic component and the surrounding protective cladding. The most common is ” 62..5 / 125 um” which refers to a fiber diameter of 62.5 um and cladding diameter of 125 um. The three most common MM fiber types are:
- OM1 – 62.5 um
- OM2 -50 um
- OM3 – 50 um (laser enhanced)
Additionally, these are constructed with two types of processes for how the fiber optic core meets with the cladding. This is either a graded-index profile or step-index profile, and these will affect the both maximum distance and the cost.
Single-mode fiber has a single optical wavelength which propagates through the fiber optic cable. This allows for greater single integrity since there is less optical dispersion, which translates into higher data rates and longer distances. Installers can expect a 20 km range supporting 10 Gbps rates.
Below is a visual from Cisco which illustrates the modes and the index profiles.
In addition to the cable, there are a few standards for the connectors and plugs for interfacing the cables to equipment. These are SC, LC and ST. Pictures are shown below ordering information for various fiber optic patch cords.
- SC (“Square Connector”) connectors have squared housings with a locking mechanism. These provide a secure mating between the cable and the equipment, and since these are keyed it is extremely difficult to insert with the transmit and receive cables reversed.
- LC (“Lucent Connector”) derives its name from its inventor and sponsors, Lucent. The LC connector is probably the most prevalent today due to its small size to provide high density of connections in network equipment.
- ST (“Straight Tip”) connectors have a straight or “bayonet” locking mechanism which provides a secure connection. Unlike the SC, the ST has a spring loaded BNC type plug which attaches by pushing and twisting.
Fiber optic path cords and cables are used in a central office, wiring closet or anywhere engineers and installers need to attach different pieces of equipment. These are typically smaller lengths of cable, under 5 m, that support the same or different connector types on either end.
One company that makes a variety of high quality fiber optic patch cords in a variety of lengths with all combinations of connector types is ASSMANN WSW Components . These are ROHS compliant, halogen free cables with ceramic ferrule connectors.
They offer the following Duplex Patch Cable Combinations, and complete details can be found on the Fiber Optics Connectors page:
- LC/LC Connector
- LC/SC Connector
- LC/ST Connector
- SC/SC Connector
- ST/SC Connector
- ST/ST Connector
Below are part numbers, descriptions and links to order through Digi-Key.
You’ll also find complete data sheets and additional information on the Digi-Key patch cord site.
ST to ST Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10427-ND | DK-2611-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10428-ND | DK-2611-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10429-ND | DK-2611-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10430-ND | DK-2611-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10431-ND | DK-2611-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10432-ND | DK-2611-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-ST 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
ST to SC Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10433-ND | DK-2612-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10434-ND | DK-2612-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10435-ND | DK-2612-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10436-ND | DK-2612-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10437-ND | DK-2612-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10438-ND | DK-2612-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL ST-SC 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
SC to SC Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10439-ND | DK-2622-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10440-ND | DK-2622-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10441-ND | DK-2622-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10442-ND | DK-2622-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10443-ND | DK-2622-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10444-ND | DK-2622-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL SC-SC 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
LC to ST Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10445-ND | DK-2631-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10446-ND | DK-2631-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10447-ND | DK-2631-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10448-ND | DK-2631-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10449-ND | DK-2631-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10450-ND | DK-2631-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
| AE10451-ND | DK-2631-15 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-ST 15M | 49.2′ (15m) |
LC to SC Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10452-ND | DK-2632-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10453-ND | DK-2632-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10454-ND | DK-2632-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10455-ND | DK-2632-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10456-ND | DK-2632-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10457-ND | DK-2632-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
| AE10458-ND | DK-2632-15 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-SC 15M | 49.2′ (15m) |
LC to LC Duplex
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description | Length |
| AE10459-ND | DK-2633-01 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 1M | 3.28′ (1.0m) |
| AE10460-ND | DK-2633-02 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 2M | 6.56′ (2.0m) |
| AE10461-ND | DK-2633-03 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 3M | 9.84′ (3.0m) |
| AE10462-ND | DK-2633-05 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 5M | 16.4′ (5.0m) |
| AE10463-ND | DK-2633-07 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 7M | 22.96′ (7.0m) |
| AE10464-ND | DK-2633-10 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 10M | 32.8′ (10m) |
| AE10465-ND | DK-2633-15 | CABLE FIBER OPTIC DUAL LC-LC 15M | 49.2′ (15m) |
Accessories
| Digi-Key P/N | Assmann P/N | Description |
| AE10632-ND | A-FB-00BLMA-LL1-R | CONN WATERPROOF FIBER OPTICAL |
| AE10633-ND | A-FB-00RLFJ-LC7-1-R | CONN WTERPROOF FIBER OPT PNL MNT |
| AE10634-ND | A-FB-CAP-WFBPFLA-1-R | LOCKING CAP WATERPROOF 5/8″ |
(Photo Credit – ASSMANN WSW Components)
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Disclosure: ASSMANN WSW Components is a client, sponsor or has a professional connection with this site.
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