Fiber Optic Patch Cord Wiki

Fiber Optic Patch Cord Wikipedia

Patch cord wikipedia defines that Fiber optic patch cord (Fiber Patch Cable or Fiber jumper) are used for linking the equipment and components in the fiber optic network, is a fiber cable that has fiber connectors installed on one or both ends. The fiber optic patch cord types are classfied by the fiber optic connector types. For example, LC fiber optic patch cord means this cable is with LC fiber optic connector. There are PC, UPC, APC type of fiber patch cord types, different from each other because of the polish of fiber connectors. Fiber optic connectors are designed and polished to different shapes to minimize back reflection. This is particularly important in single mode applications. Typical back reflection grades are -30dB, -40dB, -50dB and -60dB. General use of these cable assemblies includes the interconnection of fiber cable systems and optics-to-electronic equipment.

Fiber patch cords are made of 2 major parts: optical connector and fiber optic cable. If the fiber connectors are attached to only one end of a cable, it is known as a fiber optic pigtail. If the fiber connectors are attached to both ends, it is known as a fiber jumper or fiber patch cord.

Fiber optic patch cords types are also commonly divided into single mode fiber optic patch cords and multimode patch cord. Here the word “mode” means the transmitting mode of the fiber optic light in the fiber optic cable core. usually, single mode fiber optic patch cable is with 9/125 fiber glass and is yellow jacket color, multimode fiber optic patch cables are with 50/125 or 62.5/125 fiber glass and is orange color.

Fiber Cable Structure

1. Simplex fiber optic patch cables: Simplex fiber patch cable has one fiber and one connector on each end.

2. Duplex fiber optic patch cables: Duplex fiber patch cable has two fibers and two connectors on each end. Each fiber is marked “A” or “B” or different colored connector boots are used to mark polarity.

3. Ribbon fan-out cable assembly: For ribbon fan-out cable assembly, one end is ribbon fiber with multi fibers and one ribbon fiber connector such as MTP connector (12 fibers), the other end is multi simplex fiber cables with connectors such as ST, SC, LC, etc.

Below is an example color scheme for patch cables.
fiber optic patch cord wikipedia types
Availabilities of Fiber Optic Patch Cord Types:
-Full specifications, FC, SC, ST, LC, MTRJ, E2000, DIN, D4, SMA, etc.
-Simplex and Duplex assemblies available -Singlemode and multimode available
-PC, UPC and APC polishing available
-Hybrid patch cords are available upon request
-Fan-out available (Ribbon type/bundle type)
-Pigtail available -Loopback available
-Customized lengths upon request

Applications of Different Fiber Optic Patch Cord Types:
FTTH application
Premise installations
Data processing networks
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Telecommunication networks
Industrial, mechanical and military

Conclusion 

Based on patch cord wikipedia, we have a good understanding of patch cords. FS.COM provides a comprehensive line of different fiber optic patch cord types, such as OM3 and OM4  multimode fiber cable and OS2 single mode fiber. Want to know more about our fiber patch cord types, please visit FS.COM.

Related Article:
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Fiber
What Kind of Fiber Patch Cord Should I Choose?

Ethernet And Fiber Optic Cabling

Even in the age of WiFi and high speed cellular networks, we still need networking cables to together our computing hardware together. Both Ethernet cables and fiber optic cables are used to deliver and distribute communications. Offering a fast, secure and reliable connection, these cables play different roles in delivering critical entertainment and business data.

Ethernet Cable
Originally developed by Xerox in the 1970s, Category 5 and 6 cables, or Cat 7 cable connect computers and gaming systems to routers in our homes and offices. Recognized by their large locking RJ45 plastic connectors and resembling over-sized phone wires, these cables carry data measured in the hundreds of megabits per second. These multi-conductor cables also connect routers to modems and switches, depending on a network’s configuration.

Ethernet data rates vary depending on the cable used. The newest Cat 7 cable, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, transmits up to 10 Gbps. Category 7 technology improves both internal signaling and exterior shielding compared to older CAT5 / CAT5e and CAT6 cables. CAT 7 cable supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet network connections, and CAT7 cables are also compatible with standard Ethernet adapters.Gigabit Ethernet transmits up to 1 Gbps. Fast Ethernet, still the most common cable used in homes and offices today, transmits up to 100 Mbps (approximately 0.1 Gbps).

Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic cable’s primary claim to fame is its ability to carry vast amounts of data over considerable distances. Fiber optic wiring is normally found leading from an Internet service provider’s central distribution center to individual localized hubs in a neighborhood. Amazingly, this data is carried along glass or plastic fibers as light. Depending on whether the Internet service is DSL or cable-based, phone wires or coaxial cable then lead to each address. Fiber optic cable retrofits have enabled service providers to offer higher speeds and increased data throughput. Signals on fiber optic cables are typically repeated or boosted to compensate for signal losses over distance.

At distances up to 1.86 miles, single-mode fiber-optic cable can transmit data up to 10 Gbps, but it is used primarily for video. It is used primarily for high-bandwidth video or as a backbone to connect networks between buildings. Multimode fiber, which is used for voice, data, and video, has a data rate up to 1 Gigabit per second for distances under 1.24 miles.

Multifiber Push-On (“MPO”) fiber trunks (like MPO to LC cable) have become the default cabling solution to these ever-increasing data center bandwidth requirements. Because they are a natural fit for parallel optics, these fiber links are compact, pre-terminated, able to handle bandwidth all the way up to 100 Gbps, and even plug and play by design.

People always think fiber optic cable would beat copper Ethernet cable hands down. However, cable manufacturers have continued to update the technology behind Ethernet, meaning it can be just as fast as some fiber optic cables today. For example, Cat 7 cable is a next-generation standard cabling technology transmits up to 10 Gbps. While Ethernet cable and fiber optic cable are completely different, fiber optic cable can be used in Ethernet networks. Ehernet cable price and fiber optic cable price are also not the same, choosing Ethernet cable or fiber optic cable you should take it into consideration.

Exploring the Anatomy of A Fiber Optic Cable

What’s really inside a fiber optic cable? That’s a question that most customers of fiber optic cable suppliers want to know. Fiber optic is the communications medium that works by sending optical signals down hair-thin strands of extremely pure glass or plastic fiber. Fiber optic cables are capable of carrying high volume of data over long distances. This article is written to take a peek inside fiber optic cables. Starting at the center and working our way outside.

A standard fiber optic cable is comprised of four specific parts:
Core: A fiber optic’s center is made of glass, and this tube carries the cable’s light signals. Depending on the type of fiber optic cable (single more of multimode), the core varies in size. Single mode fibers consist of a tiny glass core that typically has a diameter between 8.3 and 10 microns. This type of cable is used for telephone and CATV with laser sources at 1300 and 1550nm because it has a lower loss and virtually infinite bandwidth. For multi mode fibers, the core is larger. Their core size ranges from 5 to 7 times larger than a single mode core. With a diameter ranging between 50 to 62.5 microns,it supports the transmission of multiple mode (rays) of light and perfect for high data applications. Multimode is generally used with LED source at wavelengths of 850 and 1300nm for slower local area networks (LANs) and lasers at 850 (VCSELs) and 1310nm (Fabry-Perot lasers) for networks running at gigabyte per seconds or more. Multi mode cables are typically used over shorter distances than single mode fiber optic cables.
Cladding layer: The core is surrounded by an optical material called the “cladding” that traps the light in the core using an optical technique called “total internal reflection.” When transmitting data (especially over long distances), light rays can reflect off each other and travel in different directions. The cladding keeps those signals straight.Buffer: Buffer is made to protect fiber from moisture and physical damage. The buffer is what one strips off the fiber for termination or splicing. More often than not, the buffer is made of
Plastic.

Jacket: The fiber optic’s cable exterior is typically made of tough, durable polyurethane. Its job is to protect the overall integrity of the fiber optic cable. The jacket is the first line of defense in a fiber optic cable. Routing cables can put stresses on a fiber optic cable and a jacket sometimes contains an extra layer to avoid these potential hazards.

Water Barrier: Common water barriers for ordinary cable include: an axially laid aluminum foil/polyethylene laminated film immediately inside the polyurethane of polyethylene plastic sheaths;
and/or the use of moisture resistant compounds around the fibers.
If you’d like to purchase or know more informations on fiber optic cable price per foot, you can feel free to contact fiberstore customer service team at sales@fiberstore.com

The Time Of Fiber Optic Cable

People are always looking to keep up with the latest technologies hitting the market in an effort to upgrade communication platform. Fiber optics is far more technologically advanced and quickly replaced copper wires around the world. Fiber optic cables have the advantage of security, efficiency, higher bandwidth, smaller size, low maintenance, withstand harsher conditions, better picture quality, etc. Various types of fiber cables available are single mode cables, multimode cables, duplex cables, simplex cables, bare fiber, large core optical fiber, plastic optical fiber cables, etc.

At the moment, the current trends in the industry are applications such as cloud computing, cloud services and social media causing data volumes to skyrocket. As technology evolves, operators need more complex data centers with the ability to tackle these situations effectively. The flipside is that these constant changes have to be implemented efficiently despite mounting cost pressures. At the same time, planning and implementation cycles are becoming shorter and shorter, demanding an extremely flexible environment. Data center operators need to have profitable solutions that ensure maximum availability, suitability for consolidation, expansion and maximum energy efficiency.

The current trend in passive networking is that we see more companies enquiring about cabling security needs. Today there is a need to reduce costs associated with downtime. Pre-terminated cabling solutions make it easier and quicker to install with less chances of error. Therefore it eliminates the time required for termination and can save valuable time. We’re also seeing increased deployment of Cat7 cable and fiber-optic systems including MPO/MTP solutions(like mpo cable multimode). We believe this will be in line with the growing performance needs of data centers and networks.

In the last few years, Fiber optics are gaining acceptance due to pre-polished connectors, pre- terminated fiber and MPO fiber plug and play connection systems. This leads to a decrease in the complexity of installing fiber cabling. Copper still continues to be used to offer connectivity within a building and to the user’s desk. Presently fiber-optic cabling is being deployed in data centers for achieving higher performance as well as in backbone cabling for connectivity over longer distances such as between different buildings on a campus.

There are many fiber optic cable manufacturers who specialize in single mode, multimode, simple, duplex and multi-strand cables. Several manufacturers provide low cost, quick-turn, high volume fiber cables and fiber cable assembly solutions, for example, Corning company, the corning fiber optic cable is known excellent. It is important to identify the exact requirement of fiber cables whether they would be easy to install, splice or terminate, etc. This is necessary as it ultimately decides the cost of installing the fiber cables. So before order cables, you should always guarantee it with our sales sales@fiberstore.com.

Tight Buffer Cable VS Loose Tube Cable

You may familiar with bulk fiber optic cable, but how much do you know the differences between tight buffer fiber and loose tube cable? This article will focus on tight buffer vs loose tube cable.

tight buffer vs loose tube cable

Tight Buffer vs Loose Tube Cable Design

Tight buffer or tight tube cable designs are typically used for ISP applications. Each fiber is coated with a buffer coating, usually with an outside diameter of 900m.

Loose buffer or loose tube cables mean that the fibers are placed loosely within a plastic tube whose inner diameter considerably larger than the fiber itself. Usually 6 to 12 fibers are placed within a single tube. The interior of the plastic tube is usually filled with a gel material that protects the fibers from moisture and physical stresses that may be experienced by the overall cable. Loose buffer designs are used for OSP applications such as underground installations, lashed or self-supporting aerial installations, and other OSP applications.

Advantages of Tight Buffer vs Loose Tube Cable

Each construction has inherent advantages. The loose buffer tube offers lower cable attenuation from microbending in any given fiber, plus a high level of isolation from external forces. Under continuous mechanical stress, the loose tube permits more stable transmission characteristics. The tight buffer construction permits smaller, lighter weight designs for similar fiber configuration, and generally yields a more flexible, crush resistant cable.

The other fiber protection technique, tight buffer, uses a direct extrusion of plastic over the basic fiber coating. Tight buffer constructions are able to withstand much greater crush and impact forces without fiber breakage.

The tight buffer design, however, results in lower isolation for the fiber from the stresses of temperature variation. While relatively more flexible than loose buffer, if the tight buffer is deployed with sharp bends or twists, optical losses are likely to exceed nominal specifications due to microbending.

Tensile Loading

Cable tensile load ratings, also called cable pulling tensions or pulling forces, are specified under short-term and long-term conditions. The short-term condition represents a cable during installation and it is not recommended that this tension is exceeded. The long-term condition represents an installed cable subjected to a permanent load for the life of the cable. Typical loose-tube cable designs have a short-term (during installation) tensile rating of 600 pounds (2700 N) and a long-term (post installation) tensile rating of 200 pounds (890 N).

Conclusion

Tight buffer vs loose tube cable, each has its own advantages and uses. Nowadays there are many big brands fiber optic cable manufacturers provide tight buffer cables and loose tube cables. FS.COM, also offers a wide range of bulk fiber optic cables, including cables from corning and cables for different applications, bulk fiber optic cable can be made in a variety of lengths and configurations to meet your needs. For more details, please visit FS.COM.

Related Articles:
Tight-Buffered Fiber Distribution Cable for Indoor and Outdoor Use
Which Tight Buffered Fiber Distribution Cable Fits Your Application?