Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure and Classification

Hangzhou Fiberfuture specializes in R&D and production of optical fiber patch cords with various interfaces such as LC, SC, ST, FC, etc...

Optical fiber patch cord (also known as optical fiber connector) means that both ends of the optical cable are equipped with connector plugs to realize the active connection of the optical path; one end with a plug is called a pigtail. Fiber optic patch cords are similar to coaxial cables, but without the mesh shield. In the center is the glass core for light propagation. It is mainly used to realize non-permanent fixed connections between equipment, between equipment and instruments, between equipment and optical fibers, and between optical fibers and optical fibers in the system. It is an indispensable passive device in optical fiber communication systems.

With the rapid development of Internet information, optical fiber has been widely used due to its high speed and fast speed. As an important device used to realize the active connection of optical paths, its optical fiber patch cord has always been the preferred choice in data centers, fiber-to-the-home, and local area networks. Important guests, most people still have many doubts and problems about the basic knowledge of fiber optic patch cords since the fiber optic patch cords became popular. Next, we will learn more about the structure, classification, characteristics, and applications of fiber optic patch cords.

The structure of fiber optic patch cord

In a multimode fiber, the diameter of the core is 50 μm to 65 μm, roughly equivalent to the thickness of a human hair. The single-mode fiber core has a diameter of 8 μm to 10 μm. The core is surrounded by a glass jacket with a lower refractive index than the core to keep the fiber inside the core. On the outside is a thin plastic jacket to protect the envelope.

Classification of fiber optic patch cords
Optical fiber patch cords can be divided into common "single-mode optical fiber patch cords" and "multi-mode optical fiber patch cords" according to different transmission media.

Single-mode fiber (Single-mode Fiber): Generally, the fiber optic patch cord is indicated by yellow, and the connector and protective sleeve are blue; the transmission distance is longer.

Multi-mode Fiber (Multi-mode Fiber): Generally, fiber optic patch cords are represented by orange, and some are represented by gray, and the connectors and protective sleeves are beige or black; the transmission distance is relatively short.

According to different connector structures, it can be divided into: FC fiber patch cord, SC fiber patch cord, ST fiber patch cord, LC fiber patch cord, MTRJ fiber patch cord, MPO fiber patch cord, MU fiber patch cord, SMA fiber patch cord, FDDI fiber optic patch cord, E2000 fiber optic patch cord, DIN4 fiber optic patch cord, D4 fiber optic patch cord and other forms.

The more common fiber optic patch cords can also be divided into FC-FC, FC-SC, FC-LC, FC-ST, SC-SC, SC-ST, etc....

①FC fiber optic patch cord: The external reinforcement method is a metal sleeve, and the fastening method is a turnbuckle. Generally used on the ODF side (the most used on the distribution frame)

 ②SC type optical fiber patch cord: the connector connected to the GBIC optical module, its shell is rectangular, and the fastening method is a plug-in pin-bolt type, which does not need to be rotated. (Most used on router switches)

 ③ST type optical fiber patch cord: commonly used in optical fiber distribution frames, the outer shell is round, and the fastening method is a turnbuckle. (For 10Base-F connection, the connector is usually ST type. Commonly used in fiber distribution frame)

 ④LC type fiber optic jumper: the connector connected to the SFP module, which is made of a modular jack (RJ) latch mechanism that is easy to operate.