Ethernet Over Fiber Compared To Copper Cables

Although Ethernet technologies have been used since the 1970s within LANs, it just recently has been around us like a wide area network transmission medium due to the development of fiber optic technology. With communication technology inching its way forward, fiber optic cable is slowly taking over the cable technology by replacing copper cable as a way of communication signal transmission. There are many benefits of converting to Ethernet over fiber when compared to traditional copper wires or cables.

The main advantage is the fact that when compared with copper cables, Ethernet over fiber can provide 1000 times more bandwidth covering a distance which is 100 times farther, which is a major step forward when compared with traditional forms of accessing bandwidth. With fiber optic’s unlimited bandwidth, it may communicate information more dedicatedly. As a result, you can imagine the rate from the connection which goes in circles around the bandwidth assigned. Ethernet for broadband can be delivered over fiber optic cables installed throughout an entire building which could substantially reduce normal provisioning time for clients residing in that building. Fiber optic cable also provides you the opportunity to expand your bandwidth and have new technologies like MPLS, DWDM, etc.

Since fiber optic cable is based on glass, it doesn’t conduct electrical current. Hence, that you can do away with grounding. It’s also protected against electromagnetic interruption like lightning. Fiber optic cable uses light pulses which make it convenient to use outdoors and close to electrical cables. It is not prone to water and chemicals as it is made of glass. Therefore, it cannot be damaged by abrasive elements. Therefore cuts down on the cost of maintenance of Ethernet. The highest quality technology utilized in fiber optic cables is stronger in comparison with copper cables. This produces high definition picture quality and is devoid of any outside influences.

In case of breakage of fiber optic cables, there is no chance of physical injuries. In contrast to conveying information through electricity, fiber-optics does it through light. There is also no risk of harm because of fire or electrocution. Providers hardly have concerns about hardware failure when they use fiber optics.

Optical fiber can’t be tapped easily as well as if it’s, no light is going to be transmitted. Hence, it is more secure than copper wires. Although, Ethernet isn’t available everywhere, it is still a cost effective option at places where it is obtainable. Whether for a small office or a large setup, it is an economical and practical solution. With regards to speed, fiber optic cables can transmit good signals over 10GB per second.

Surely, the advantages of converting to Ethernet fiber optic cables are enormous. With cutting edge technology in your hands, data communication isn’t restricted by distance and you may possess the best quality transmission for the phones, Internet and television. Ethernet fiber optic cable has been a great development in telecommunications. It has a lot of positive features. Telecom companies do not need to disrupt or divert your phone, Internet or television services when they upgrade their relays or to make repairs. You get non-stop, fast and clear signals.

As Ethernet over fiber became the most commonly used technology, an Ethernet patch cable is needed for the purpose of interoperability between several electronics. Ethernet patch cable is almost just like an optical or electrical cable that is needed when connecting one optical or electrical device to another with regards to routing signals. Once the two devices that should be connected and therefore are dissimilar you may need a patch cable. Ethernet patch cables can be split into fiber optics patch cords with fiber connectors (LC LC patch cable, SC-SC patch cord, ST connectors fiber, etc.) and copper patch cables with RJ45 connectors (CAT5e patch cable, CAT6 patch cable, etc).

MPO Cabling System

The MPO (multi-fibre push-on) cabling system is an easy-to-use solution based on a high density connector and ribbon-fiber cables with 12 cores. These plug and play solutions use micro core cable to maximize bend radius and minimize cable weight and size. Available in 12 core configuration, MPO assemblies are designed for high density application which offers excellent benefits in terms on-site installation time and space saving. These plug and play solutions use micro core cable to maximize bend radius and minimize cable weight and size.

MPO Assemblies

MPO Connector
MPO connectors contact usually 12 fibers in a single connection. A connection must be stable and its ends correctly aligned. These aspects are essential for achieving the required transmission parameters.

Therefore MPO connectors are available in a male version (with pins) or a female version (without pins). The pins ensure that the fronts of the connectors are exactly aligned on contact and that the end-faces of the fibers are not offset.

MPO Cable
MPO cable requires greater care in planning in advance, but it has a number of advantages: short installation times, tested and guaranteed quality and great reliability.

MPO Trunk Cable
MPO trunk cable serves as a permanent link connecting the MPO modules to each other. Trunk cables are available with 12 fibers. Their ends are terminated with 12-fiber MPO connectors female version (without pins).

Fan-Out Cable
Fan-Out cables are used for the connection of a MPO cable to standard-density connectors, usually to 12 LC connectors.

MPO Adapters
Adapters are used to connect two MPO connectors. They enforce that both keys are up. So the two connectors are connected while in the same position in relation to each other.

The key point of each installation is to ensure the correct wiring from transceiver to receiver. In case of using a set of cassettes, trunk cables and duplex patch cords – you need to follow a certain guideline for the polarity method of the trunk cables. The case described in the graphic is a method according to the polarity, means the duplex fibre optic jumper cables must be CROSS connected on one side and STRAIGHT connected on the second side.

Connection rules
a) When creating an MPO connection, always use one male connector and one female connector plus one MPO adapter.
b) Never connect a male to a male or a female to a female.
With a female-to-female connection, the fiber cores of the two connectors will not be at the exact same height because the guide pins are missing. That will lead to losses in performance.
A male-to-male connection has even more disastrous results. There the guide pins hit against guide pins so no contact is established. This can also damage the connectors.
c) Never dismantle an MPO connector.
The pins are difficult to detach from an MPO connector and the fibers might break in the process.

MPO fiber are available in lengths of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 meters, custom lengths are available on request. MPO trunk cables are available in single mode, multimode OM1, OM2, OM3 or OM4 with LSZH or PVC Jackets.

Typical Cable Components for Network Connection

This article will describe some typical cable components involved in transmitting data from the network area to the telecommunications room or enclosure. These typical cable components are horizon cable, backbone cable, and patch cables which is used in cross-connections and for connecting to network devices.

Patch Cords
Patch cords are used in in patch panels to provide the connection between field-terminated horizontal cables and network connectivity devices and connections between the telecommunications outlets and network devices such as printers, computers, and other Ethernet-based devices. They are part of the network wiring you can actually see. Since the fact that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Because of their exposed position in structured cable infrastructures, patch cords are always the weakest link. Patch cords include optical fiber patch cable.

Horizontal and Backbone Cables
The name horizontal cable and backbone cable have nothing to do with the cable’s physical orientation toward the horizon. Horizontal cables run between a cross-connect panel in a telecommunications room and telecommunications room and a telecommunications outlet located near the work area. Backbone cables run between telecommunications rooms, and enclosures, and the main cross-connect point of a building, it usually located in the equipment room.

Whereas horizontal UTP cables contain solid conductors, patch cords are made with stranded conductors because they are more flexible. The flexibility allows them to withstand the abuse of frequent flexing and reconnecting. Although you could build your own field-terminated patch cords, we strongly recommend against it.
At first glance, patch cords may seem like a no-brainer, but they may actually be the most crucial components to accurately specify. When specifying patch cords, you may also require that your patch cords be tested to ensure that they meet the proper transmission-performance standards for their category. Fiber patch cables are used for fiber optic cabling. Usually it is divided into single mode fiber patch cord and multimode fiber patch cord. Single mode fiber operators to a long transmission distance, while multi-mode fiber is a short transmission distance.

Choosing the right cables for your job
Professional cable installed and cable-plant designers are called upon to interpret and/or draft cable specifications to fulfill business’ structured-cabling requirements. Anyone purchasing cable for business or home use may also have to make a decision regarding what type of cable to use. Installing inappropriate cable could be unfortunate in the event of a disaster such as a fire.

Cable plant designer can held accountable in court and held responsible for damages incurred as a result of substandard cable installation, Cables comes in a variety of ratings, and many of these rating has to do with how well the cable will fare in a fire.

Using the general overview informations provided here, you should now have adequate information to specify the proper cable for your installation.

First, you must know the installation environment and what the applicable NEC and the local fire-code requirements will allow regarding the cables’ flame rating. In a commercial building, this usually comes down to where plenum-rated cables must be installed and where a lower rating is acceptable.

The second decision on cabling must be on media type. The large majority of new installations use fiber optic cable in the backbone and UTP cable for the horizontal.

For fiber optic cable, you will need to specify the fiber type first, single-mode or multimode. If it is multimode, you will need to specify the core diameter. That is 62.5/125 or 50/125. Most new installations use an 850nm, laser-optimized 50/125 multimode fiber, better know to the industry as OM3 fiber. A special fiber patch cable takes multimode ST patch cable for example, it can be either with OM1 62.5/125 types or OM2 50/125, simplex or duplex, connector types of ST-ST, ST-MTRJ, ST-LC, etc. The large majority of new networks use an 850nm, laser-optimized 50/125 multimode fiber, better knows to the industry as OM3 fiber. Of UTP cable, you need to specify the appropriate transmission-performance category. Most newly installations today use Cat6, and there is a growing migration to Cat6A. Make sure that you specify that patch cords are rated in the same or higher category than the horizontal cable.

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?

LC Fiber Optic Patch Cables from FiberStore

Fiber optic patch cables are known as optical fiber jumper or optical patch cable, which is composed of a fiber optic cable terminated with connectors on each ends. As a common component in the fiber optic network, it provides interconnect and cross-connect of applications in entrance facilities, telecommunication rooms, data centers, at the desk and network applications to interconnect pre-terminated MPO cassette in main distribution, horizontal distribution, and equipment distribution areas.

As a global leading designer, manufacturer of high quality components and systems for the photonics industry at competitive prices, FiberStore provides various type of fiber optic cables and fiber patch cords including common single-mode 9/125, OM1 62.5/125, 10GOM3/OM4 patch cables, armored patch cables, fiber optic pigtails, multi core patch cables, MPO/MTP patch cables and other special patch cables, with SC, ST, FC, LC, MU, MTRJ, E2000, APC/UPC terminations. Take LC fiber optic patch cable for example, we will intros the main features and applications of FiberStore fiber patch cord.

FiberStore LC duplex/simplex fiber optic patch cords containing the custom push-pull strain relief boot and duplex/simplex chip, allow users easy accessibility in tight areas when deploying very high density LC patch fields in data center applications. They are available in OM4, OM3, or OS1/OS2 fiber types, LC-LC, LC-SC, LC-ST, LC-MU, LC-MTRJ, LC-MPO, LC-MTP, LC-FC. 10 Gigabit Ethernet and high speed Fiber Channel. Other types also available for custom design and cut length. LC Fiber cable connectors are available in cable assembled or one piece connectors, all of which is Telcordia,

ANSI/EIA/TIA and IEC compliant.

The LC fiber cable is a small form factor (SFF) connector and is ideal for high density applications. The LC fiber patch connector has a zirconia ceramic ferrule measuring 1.25mm O.D. with either a PC or APC end face, and provides optimum insertion and return loss. The LC fiber patch cable connector is used on small diameter mimi-cordage (1.6mm/2.0mm) as well as 3.0mm cable 10G LC fiber patch cables provide 10 gigabyte data transfer speeds in high bandwidth applications and they are 5 times faster than standard 50um fiber cable. OM3 and OM4 50/125 multimode fiber patch cable are both laser-optimized and were developed to accommodate faster networks such as 10, 40 and 100 Gbps, both of which are designed for use with 850-nm VCSELS laser transmission and allows 10 Gig/second link distance up to 550 Meters (300M with OM3). Effective modal bandwidth for OM4 is more than double that of OM3. For OM4 patch cable, it is 4700 Mhz km while for OM3, it is 2000 Mhz km.

Key features of LC-LC patch cord Duplex 10G

LC-LC Connectors
Multimode duplex fiber optic cable
Complete with Lucent Technologies aqua jacket
Bandwidth transmitting rates up to 10gigabits
High degree connectors
100% optical tested to ensure high performance

Specifications
Connectors: LC to LC
Micron: 50/125um
Insertion loss: >35dB
Operating Temperature: -40℃ to 80℃
Color: Aqua
Fiber class: OM4

For assistance customizing LC patch cable and other types of optical patch cords, please contact us at sales@fiberstore.com