The Difference of Fiber Optic Pigtail and Fiber Optic Patch Cable

The fiber optic pigtail is normally a tight buffered fiber cable with a connector pre-terminated on one end and exposed fiber on the other. It is basically used to splice the fiber in the cable so that it can be connected to the patch panel or equipment.

Classification of Connector

1) LC fiber optic pigtail uses the LC connector developed by Lucent Company. LC connector is now one of the most popular connectors in the world. A 1.25mm ceramic ferrule makes LC fiber optic pigtail a better choice for low cost but high precision signal transmission.

2) SC fiber optic pigtail uses the SC connector developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone. SC connector has a ceramic ferrule of 2.5 mm. Its light weight and cost-effective features enable different applications of SC fiber optic pigtail. 

3) ST fiber optic pigtail uses the ST connector developed by American Telephone & Telegraph. ST connector has a 2.5mm bayonet-styled ferrule. It is one of the eldest generations of fiber optic connectors. But it is still used for many fiber optic applications, especially for multimode fiber optic communications.

4) FC fiber optic pigtail uses the FC connector developed by Nippon Electric Company. The connector features the screw type structure and high precision ceramic ferrule. FC fiber optic pigtail is usually used for general fiber optic applications.

Fiber optic pigtail sometimes has multiple fiber strands, including 4 fibers, 6 fibers, 8 fibers, 12 fibers, 24 fibers, 48 fibers and so on. This helps the effective interconnection and cross-connect in various applications.


The Difference of Fiber Optic Pigtail and Fiber Optic Patch Cable

Fiber optic patch cables and pigtails structurally have much in common. They are both available in single mode and multi-mode, and they can be made into simplex and duplex. Besides, both fiber patch cable and pigtail can terminate with many kinds of fiber optic connectors, including FC, SC, ST, LC, MTRJ, MPO, MU, SMA, FDDI, E2000, DIN4, and D4.
 

The major physical difference between fiber patch cable and pigtail is that fiber patch cable is a fixed length piece of cable with fiber connectors on each end while fiber pigtail has fiber connectors on only one end of the cable. Fiber optic patch cables can be cut into shorter lengths to make two pigtails.

Fiber optic patch cables are commonly used to connect ports on fiber distribution frames. They support network applications in main, horizontal and equipment distribution areas and are available in optical fiber riser cable (OFNR), and low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) rated jacket materials to comply with local cabling ordinances. They also support high speed (10/40 Gbs) telecommunications. Fiber optic patch cables can be used in many areas, such as integrated optics, laser detection and display, and materials processing.
 

Fiber optic pigtails support fusion splice field termination applications. They should be installed where they will be protected and spliced, so they are usually used with fiber optic management equipment like optical distribution frame (ODF), splice closures and cross cabinets. Pigtails are found anywhere, but most commonly in optical assemblages or optical components.