The Types of Fiber Optic Patch Cables

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. Because fiber patch cables can transmit over long distances, they are ideal for networking, telecommunications and storage applications in wiring closets, distribution frames, gateways, central offices and data centers.

There are two basic types of optical cable used for data and communications, singlemode and multimode.

1. Single mode fiber patch cables: Single mode fiber optic patch cables use 9/125 micron bulk single mode fiber cable and single mode fiber optic connectors at both ends. Single mode fiber optic cable jacket color is usually yellow.


2. Multimode fiber patch cables: Multimode fiber optic patch cables use 62.5/125 micron or 50/125 micron bulk multimode fiber cable and terminated with multimode fiber optic connectors at both ends. Multimode fibers are identified by the OM (optical mode) designation outlined in the ISO/IEC 11801 standard:

OM1

• Jacket Color – Orange
• Core Size - 62.5um
• Data Rate – 1Gb @ 850nm wavelength
• Distance – Up to 300 meters
• Application – Short-haul networks, Local Area Networks(LANs) & private networks

OM2

• Jacket Color – Orange
• Core Size - 50um
• Data Rate – 1Gb @ 850nm wavelength
• Distance – Up to 600 meters
• Application – Short-haul networks, Local Area Networks(LANs) & private networks
• Generally used for shorter distances. Has twice the distance capacity has OM1
  
  

OM3 – Laser-Optimized Multimode

• Jacket Color – Aqua
• Core Size - 50um
• Data Rate – 10Gb @ 850nm wavelength
• Distance – Up to 300 meters
• Uses fewer modes of light, enabling increased speeds
• Able to run 40GB or 100GB up to 100 meters utilizing an MPO connector
• Application – Larger Private Networks

OM4 – Laser Optimized Multimode

• Jacket Color – Aqua
• Core Size - 50um
• Data Rate – 10G @ 850nm wavelength
• Distance – Up to 550 meters
• Able to run 100GB up to 150 meters utilizing an MPO connector
• Application – High-Speed Networks, Data Centers, Financial Centers and Corporate Campuses
  
  OM5 – The latest and greatest in Multimode Fiber
• Jacket Color – Lime Green
• Fully compatible and can mate with OM3 and OM4 cabling
• Utilizes a wider range of wavelengths between 850nm and 953nm
• Designed to support Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM)
• Can Transmit 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s
• Application – High-speed Networks and Data Centers that require greater link distances and higher speeds.