OM3 and OM4 Fiber Patch Cables

Multi-mode fiber patch cable, which is composed of a fiber optic cable terminated with multi-mode fiber optic connectors at both ends, is a type of optical fiber mostly employed for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on the campus. There are four common kinds of multi-mode fiber patch cable: OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables. OM1 and OM2 fiber patch cables are commonly used in premises applications supporting Ethernet rates of 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps. While OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables are developed to accommodate faster networks such as 10, 40, and 100 Gbps. The following figure shows the differences between OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4 cables on diameter, jacket color, optical source and bandwidth:

OM1, OM2, OM3 and 0M4

Compared with OM1 and OM2 fiber patch cables, OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables are more suitable for today’s higher-speed networks. This article will give a brief introduction to the similarities and differences of OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables.

Similarities of OM3 and OM4 Fiber Patch Cables

The first thing to note is that the connectors of OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables are the same. The commonly used connectors are LC, SC, FC and so on. In addition, the termination of the connectors is the same as well. As for the fiber optic cable, both OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables use 50/125 micron (“50” represents the diameter of the core, and “125” represents the diameter of the cladding) multi-mode fiber cables. Furthermore, the fibers of OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables are all laser optimized multi-mode fibers (LOMMF), which are designed for use with 850nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELS). Last but not least, OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables have the same aqua sheaths.

Differences Between OM3 and OM4 Fiber Patch Cables

Compared with the OM3 fiber patch cables, the cable of OM4 fiber patch cables has a lower attenuation and operates at a higher bandwidth. Both these two factors mean that less power is lost in the transmission of signal. That’s to say, the transmission distance of OM4 fiber patch cables is further than that of OM3 fiber patch cables. Furthermore, the effective modal bandwidth (EMB) of OM3 and OM4 fiber patch cables is different as well. The followings are detailed information about the EMB and transmission distances of 10G OM3 fiber patch cables and 10G OM4 fiber patch cables.

The 10G OM3 fiber patch cable specifies an 850nm laser-optimized 50 micron cable with an effective modal bandwidth (EMB) of 2000 MHz/km. It can support 10 Gbps link distances up to 300 meters.

The 10G OM4 fiber patch cable specifies a high-bandwidth 850nm laser-optimized 50 micron cable with an effective modal bandwidth of 4700 MHz/km. It can support 10 Gbps link distances of 550 meters.

Fiberstore offers both OM3 fiber patch cables and OM4 fiber patch cables terminated with different fiber optic connectors (LC/SC/ST/FC/MTRJ/MU/E2000/SMA). These cables, which can be simplex or duplex and customized in optical lengths, are 100% optically tested for maximum performance before shipping worldwide.

Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cable Ordering Guide

Fiber optic patch cable is an important cable component for fiber optic networks, the armored fiber optic patch cables are specially designed for harsh environment in in aerospace, automotive, industrial, medical, and military applications. FiberStore provides a huge selection of armored fiber optic patch cables in any configuration, with any connectors types, cable modes, and lengths.

Armored fiber patch cable is a round, compact and very tough duplex patch cable with flexible armouring under PVC or LSZH jacket, providing exceptional crush and kinking resistance. Armored fiber patch cord is different from standard fiber optic patch cables, the very commonly used fiber optic patch cables structures is like this: fiber glass core in the center of the cable, cladding outside the fiberglass for protection, Kevlar outside the cladding, Kevlar is soft as well as very strong material, then the outside is the cable jacket. Traditional fiber optic patch cords are tender equipment, people cannot bend it too much or the fiberglass will be damaged and broken, which is not suitable for harsh environment.

Armored fiber optic patch cables are with the same types of fiber optic connectors as the commonly used types, the difference is the cable itself. Armored fiber optic cables are typically used for indoor applications, with the same outer diameter of common types 2mm or 3mm. The difference is armored fiber optic cables are with stainless steel tape just inside the cable jacket and outside the Kevlar, this stainless unit provides extra feature as well as retain all the function that a common type optical fiber patch cable can give. What’s more, armored fiber optic cords are anti-rodent, and it can be handled as electric cables. It is not easy to get damaged or cut, and it can resist an adult step on it.

Armored fiber optic patch cable ordering guide:

FiberStore supply armored fiber optic patch cables, including 10G OM4/OM3, 9/125, 62.5/125 types. 10G fiber patch cables provide 10 gigabyte data transfer speeds in high bandwidth applications and they are 5 times faster than standard 50um fiber cable. All armored fiber patch cable types can be with SC, ST, FC, LC, MU, SC/APC, ST/APC, LC/APC, etc. types of terminations.

Fiber optic connector type: LC, FC, SC, ST, MU, MTRJ, E2000
Ferrule Interface type: PC, UPC, APC
Fiber cores: Simplex, duplex, 4 fibers, 8 fibers etc.
Fiber type; single mode (G.652, G655), multimode(50/125) /(62.5/125)
100% Insertion Return Loss, End Face and Interference inspection
Low insertion loss, high return loss
Excellent mechanical endurance
Good in repeatability and exchangeability
Insertion loss: <0.5 dB
Operation temperature: -20° to 85°C
10G OM3 OM4 fiber cable available
Various jacket material, PVC and LSZH

Related: Armored LC-LC patch cord

What’s the Difference Between Optical Fiber Patch Cable and Fiber Pigtails

What’s the difference between fiber pigtail & fiber patch cord. Can we use a patch cord as fiber optic pigtail by cutting in the middle of the cable? I find such questions now and then on the Internet, it’s true that there are still some peoples that are not familiar with but still interested in such knowledge. Keep this in mind, we would like to take this topic into the discussion by collecting opinion from related answers:

What Is Fiber Optic Pigtail and Patch Cable

For some people, an optical fiber patch cable is ruggedized (providing additional fiber protection) and a pigtail is not (and therefore more brittle).

“I would expect pigtails while dealing with optical components, while when dealing with patch panels, equipment interconnections, etc. I would expect patch cables.” “I would also expect patch cables to be double-ended (i.e computerized at both ends) and pigtails to be single-ended (or not terminated).”

Patch cables have connectors on both ends. While pigtails have a connector on one end and bare fiber on the other.

In my opinion, I would agree with all of the above comments, and also give the simplest understanding of myself: the fiber optic patch cable = fiber optic connector + fiber optic cable + fiber optic connector, while the fiber optic pigtail = fiber optic connectors + fiber optic cable. We can really use a patch cord as pigtails by cutting in the middle of the cable.

Officially speaking, fiber optic patch cable, often called fiber optic patch cord or fiber jumper cable, is a fiber optic cable terminated with fiber optic connectors on both ends. I have two major application areas: computer workstation to outlet and fiber optic patch panels or optical cross connects distribution center. Fiber optic patch cables can be divided into different types based on fiber mode, cable structure, connector types, connector polishing types and cable sizes. All types of fiber optic patch cables can be found at FIBERSTORE.COM, LC patch cable is the most commonly used, other connector types include ST, SC, FC, etc. Which can be either the same types of connector on both ends or different connectors on each end (Hybrid fiber optic patch cables).

Fiber Optic Pigtail vs Patch cable

Fiber optic pigtail is a piece of cable terminated with fiber optic connectors at only one side of the cable while leaving the other side no connectors so that the connector side can link to the equipment and the other side can be melted with optical cable fibers. Pigtail fiber optic cables are usually used with fiber optic management equipment like ODF, splice closures and cross cabinets.

Commonly used fiber optic pigtail types are FC, LC, MU, E2000, MTRJ and ST pigtail. According to the fiber mode types, there are single mode types and multimode types.

fiber optic pigtail

The pigtail, when separate from a line, looks like a bundle of loose, capped wires that are bound together at one end. The bound end connects to the main cable, where the individual strands of the fiber pigtail are permanently fused, or spliced, to the multicore cable. When the process is complete, the pigtail is a non-removable piece of the system.

Conclusion

For more information on fiber patch cable and fiber optic pigtail as well as the ordering & custom availability, please send emails to sales@fs.com.

Related Articles:
Why Choose Pre-terminated Fiber Pigtail
Fiber Optic Pigtails: What Is It and How to Splice It?

Order Fiber Optic Patch Cable from FiberStore

FiberStore Inc. is a telecommunications based national stocking distributor of fiber optic cables, we provide singlemode and multimode fiber optic cables & patch cables ranging from 2 fiber to 264 576 to 744 up to 864 for FTTX applications. Fiber optic cable refers to the complete assembly of fibers, strength members and jacket. Fiber optic cables come in lots of different types, depending on the number of fibers and how and where it will be installed. Choosing cable carefully is necessary as the choice will affect how easy it is to be installed, spliced or terminated and, most important, what it will cost! FiberStore offer complimentary engineering at no cost for simple questions regarding optical fiber patch cable.

Fiber patch cable is a cable terminated with optic connectors on both ends. It has two major application areas which is for computer work station to outlet and fiber optic patch panels or optical cross connect distribution center.

FiberStore Fiber optic cable products offers a huge selection of common and armored fiber patch cable. Armored fiber optic patch cables are with same types of fiber optic connectors as the commonly used types, the different is the cable itself. Armored fiber optic cables are with stainless steel tape just inside the cable jacket that a common type fiber optic patch cable can give. Amored fiber optic cords are anti-rodent, and it can be handled as electric cables, it is not easy to get damaged or cut, and it can resist an adult step on it.

All of our fiber optic patch cords are manufactured strictly according to international standard. We adopt high quality raw materials and we use on-site manufacturing equipment. Our skilled workers and quality control department work closely together to guarantee that every piece of our fiber optic patch cord is excellent quality and looking.

Ordering information for our fiber optic patch cord:
Fiber connector 1: LC, FC, SC, ST, MTRJ, DIN, D4, E2000, MPO
Fiber connector 2: LC, FC, SC, ST, MTRJ, DIN, D4, E2000, MPO
Ferrule Interface type: PC, UPC, and APC
Fiber cores: Simplex, duplex
Fiber type; Single mode (G. 652, G655), multimode (50/125)/ (62.5/125), OM3 cable
Fiber diameter (mm): Φ 0.9, φ 2.0, Φ 3.0
Fiber length; User-defined

Applications of fiber optic patch cords:
FTTH application
Premise installations
Data processing networks
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Telecommunication networks
Industrial, mechanical and military

We have almost all of the fiber optic cable and cable assemblies products. Our warehouse is located on both China and USA allow for fast and reliable shipping of fiber optic cables throughout the USA and we also export all over the world. All of our fiber optic cables are made for immediate or for special orders – the fastest, turnaround in the industry. We have custom fiber jumper cables and fiber assemblies at the USA’s best price as well. Call us today at +1 (206) 227 9282

Multimode Fiber Patch Cables

Multimode fiber patch cable is popular in computer industry that is standard for data applications like LAN, WAN, etc. Its connerctor is available in SC, ST, LC, FC, MT-RJ, E2000 and MU etc. Included in this, SC fiber optic cable gives unlimited bandwidth at high speeds over long distances. And it is core/cladding diameter will come in 62.5/125 micron (OM1) and 50/125 micron (OM2).

OM1 and OM2 patch cables were one of the most reliable cables for networking there were lots of people who prefer these cables instead of any others. But because the introduction of network, people require increasingly more to the multimode patch cord and than there appeared some problems.

One of the most common problems with these cables is that they aren’t that much competent to transfer data in a very high and excessive rate which may be up to 10GB. Therefore, these fiber optic cables aren’t the perfect networking solution for you and you’ve got to discover a much better and a good one in order to avoid various complications.

There are numerous aspects which require to be included in your considerations in order to avoid things you aren’t expecting. However, the unique multimode fiber that has the ability to provide amazing speed of data transfer involves be the greatest one for your network. And the OM3 multimode fiber patch cable is such a good example. Therefore, you aren’t required to find every other fiber cables if you can to get hold of OM3 patch cable. It is considered to be a very good cable offering multimode operations in order to improvise brilliance for the network when it comes to performance and speed. You can get brilliant and speedy networking performance without any distortions and decrease in speed. It will be easier for you to access and transfer great deal of data with the help of this specific fiber cable also is regarded as a high notch laser optimized cable.

If you’re prepared to get brilliant recent results for your networking performance and enhancements of speed is needed then this may be the right choice for you and you’ll be really satisfied with your Aqua color cabling. LC-SC fiber patch cable may also be presented to you with the aid of the very best provider-FiberStore, in order to ensure that there will be no connection problems so if you’re prepared to have any other mode of connectivity it can also be done with ease through FiberStore. You just have to find out which is definitely providing OM3 patch cables with 100 percent reliability and better quality measures ought to be included to ensure that there won’t be any troubles for you afterwards while using the cabling setup. This surely is a supreme networking solution for you personally and you won’t be able to get something better still than this. These superb 10GB patch cables are surely the best for your networking issues because they have the ability to provide great stability for your network.

Most of the networking problems arise because of heavy load of data transferring as most of the fiber optics doesn’t have capability of transferring data to some very high extent which might be causing various networking complications. Connection issues and connectivity with complete reliability can’t be possible if you aren’t while using finest optic cables. So, in order to avoid these kinds of issues and bring a brand new charm of excellence with performance you should not prefer every other cable instead of OM3 multimode fiber patch cable.