According to different fiber types and transmission modes, fiber patch cables can be divided into two categories: Single Mode Fiber Optic Patch Cables and Multimode Fiber Optic Patch Cables.
Single mode fiber patch cables are mainly use OS1 and OS2 fibers, generally are G.652D fiber, G.657A1 fiber, G.657A2 fiber, G.657B3 fiber, please refer to article “7 types of optical fiber” for details.
Multimode fiber optic patch cords mainly use OM1 OM2 OM3 OM4 OM5 optical fibers, please refer to article “multimode fiber om1 om2 om3 om4 om5 parameter comparison” for more details.
The following will introduce their main differences in terms of fiber core diameter and outer sheath, functions and features, and applications.
1. Fiber core diameter and outer sheath of fiber patch cords
OM1: refers to 50um or 62.5um core diameter multimode fiber with a full injection bandwidth of 850/1300nm above 200/500MHz.km. The outer sheath of OM1 multimode fiber jumper is generally orange.
OM2: refers to 50um or 62.5um core diameter multimode fiber with a full injection bandwidth of 850/1300nm above 500/500MHz.km. The outer sheath of OM2 multimode patch cord is generally orange.
OM3: It is a 50um core diameter multimode fiber optimized by 850nm laser. The outer sheath of OM3 multimode patch lead is generally aqua.
OM4: It is a 50um core diameter multimode fiber optimized by 850nm laser. The outer sheath of the OM4 patch cord is generally purple or rose red.
OM5: It is a new type of optical fiber, the wavelength is generally 850/1300nm, it can support at least 4 wavelengths at a time, and the outer sheath of om4 fiber optic patch cable is generally aqua or green.
OS2: The wavelength and maximum attenuation value are 1550nm and 0.4dB/km respectively, and the outer sheath is mostly yellow.
Yingda can custom all types of multimode fiber connector color or cable sheath color, except above international standards. Welcome inquiry.
2. Functions and features of fiber patch cables
OM1: The core diameter and numerical aperture are relatively large, with strong light collection ability and anti-bending characteristics.
OM2: The core diameter and numerical aperture are relatively small, which effectively reduces the mode dispersion of multimode optical fiber, significantly increases the bandwidth, and reduces the production cost by 1/3.
OM3: The flame-retardant outer sheath can prevent the spread of flames, smoke, acidic gases and toxic gases, etc., and meet the needs of 10gb/s transmission rate; in 10Gb/s Ethernet using 850nm VCSEL, the optical fiber transmission distance can reach 300m.
OM4: Developed for VSCEL laser transmission, the effective bandwidth is more than double that of OM3. In 10Gb/s Ethernet using 850nm VCSEL, the fiber transmission distance can reach 550m. Using MPO connectors, 100GB can be run to 150 meters.
OM5: OM5 fiber jumper draws on the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology of single-mode fiber, extending the available wavelength range for network transmission. A total of only 8 cores of multimode fiber are required, of which 4 cores are used to send signals, and the other 4 cores are used to receive signals. Each fiber transmits 4 wavelengths, and the transmission rate of each wavelength is 25Gbps. Therefore, each core of OM5 fiber jumper can transmit 100Gbps of data. This greatly reduces the wiring cost of the network. At the same time, it is backward compatible with OM3 and OM4 wiring, which greatly facilitates the expansion of the network.
OS2: Compared with ordinary multi mode patch cords, OS2 single mode duplex fiber optic patch cords have better performance and are more cost-effective in long-distance data transmission. Generally, they are used with FHD fiber patch cords, and the transmission distance can reach more than 1km, which can meet a variety of different wiring requirements. OS2 fiber patch cords are divided into single mode simplex fiber optic patch cords and single mode duplex fiber optic patch cords. They are mainly distinguished by different fiber grades, and single mode duplex fiber optic patch cables have a wider range of applications.
Fiber optic patch cable application
OM1 and OM2 have been widely deployed in applications inside buildings for many years, supporting Ethernet transmission with a maximum of 1GB.
OM3 and OM4 cables are usually used in the wiring environment of data centers, supporting 10G or even 40/100G high-speed Ethernet transmission.
OM5 has a thicker protective layer and is generally used for the connection between optical terminals and terminal boxes. It is used in some fields such as optical fiber communication systems, fiber access networks, optical fiber data transmission, and local area networks.
OS2 can be used in high-density wiring environments in various fields such as data centers, CATN, FTTH, WDM/DWDM, and passive optical networks.
Multimode fiber technology has developed from the initial OM1 multimode fiber to the current multimode fiber that supports 100G/200G/400G/800G. It can be seen that network development is always advancing and developing.
FAQ
What are the advantages of OM5 fiber patch cord?
OM5 fiber patch cord extend the available wavelength range for network transmission, and only 8 multimode fibers are needed in total, of which 4 are used to send signals and the other 4 are used to receive signals. Each optical fiber transmits 4 wavelengths, and the transmission rate of each wavelength is 25Gbps. Therefore, each fiber of the OM5 fiber patch cable can transmit 100Gbps of data. This greatly reduces the wiring cost of the network.
What does a patch cord do in networking?
Fiber optic patch cords are used as fiber jumper device between fiber optic cabling links. They have a thicker protective layer and are generally used to connect optical terminals and fiber terminal boxes. They are used in optic communication systems, fiber access networks, fiber optic data transmission, and local area networks.
Which patch cord is used in a data center?
Data center mainly use fiber patch cord LC-LC or MTP/MPO Fiber Patch Cord, because Data centers require high-density and high-speed transmission. LC connector is smallest form type of fiber optic connectors, and MPO MTP connector is the multi-fiber connectors with 8 core, 12 core, 16 core, 24 cores in a connector. Both are the best choice for data center.
What is the best single mode fiber patch cord?
It depend on your project application and budget, the one suit you is the best. However, if you consider the transmission distance,OS2 Single-Mode Fiber Cables are the highest performing fiber optic cables at present, with further distances than multimode cables. OS2 fiber can transport data at 100G for up to 10km using a 1310nm transceiver, or up to 40km using a 1550nm transceiver. And if consider about the bend radius for limited space, G.657B3 is the best with minimum bend radius 5mm /1 roll than G.657A2, G.657A1, or G6.52D fibers.
How to terminate a fiber optic cable?
Normally the fiber optic cable is terminated at factory which specify machines, but if there is a repair or maintaince, you should terminate a fiber optic cable in field, so there are mainly 3 methods, firstly is to use fast connector for mechnical connection, secondly is to use fusion splicer for hot welding / fusion splice connection, the third way is to use a fiber optic coupler for docking two connectors together. Please refer to article:What are the fiber termination methods for optical fibers?
How to know if my fiber is single mode or multimode?
We can distinguish from 3 ways, 1st way is cable sheath color: Fiber patch cord will distinguish single mode and multimode fiber from the cable sheath, for example: yellow is single mode fiber, orange, aqua, violet, green is multimode for OM1 OM2 OM3 OM4 OM5 difference. 2nd way is the connector color: single mode connectors is UPC blue or APC green, but multimode is om1 om2 beige color, OM3 aqua, OM4 violet or rose red, OM5 green color. 3rd way is to find the printing description on the cable itself, there will be printing every meter, SM is single mode, MM is multimode.
What is SC to LC fiber cable?
SC to LC fiber cable means fiber patch cable is with SC connector and LC connector at both sides.
What are the standard fiber optic connectors?
Standard connectors generally refer to the four commonly used fiber optic connectors: SC, LC, FC, and ST. Now, MPO/MTP connectors have also been used a lot. These connectors are the most widely used, and the other fiber optic equipment is made according to these connector interfaces. Other connectors such as SMA, MTRJ, MU, E2000, D4, DIN, LX.5, ESCON, FDDI, etc. are not commonly used.
