Main Fiber Patch Cables in The Market
In today's telecom networking, fiber patch cables are more used than the older copper wires due to the rapid advancements in fiber optics technology. Fiber patch cords meet the increasing demands for greater bandwidth and higher-speed data transmission in the telecommunication industry.
Common Types of Fiber Patch Cables in the Market
Fiber patch cables can be divided into several types according to different standards. By number of fibers and connectors standard, fiber patch cables mainly fall on two kinds, simplex and duplex patch cables. The former has one fiber and one connector, while the latter has two fibers and two connectors on both ends.
Based on connector construction, fiber patch cables are designed in FC, SC, ST, LC, MTRJ, MPO, MU, SMA, FDDI, E2000, DIN4, and D4 types. And some of the most common cable configurations include FC-FC, FC-SC, FC-LC, FC-ST, SC-SC, and SC-ST.
When it comes to transmission media, two typical types are single-mode and multi-mode patch cables. Single-mode fiber patch cables, usually in yellow, have one core and one pathway of light, which leads to more focused light at the center of a core. Thus, they more suitable for transmitting data over longer distances, and are used in college campuses and cable TV. As for multi-mode cables, usually in orange, they have a larger core diameter and multiple pathways of light, so they can gather more light and signals than single-mode ones over shorter distances. And they are often applied in LED sources and alarm systems.
How to Test Fiber Patch Cords?
A simple light source/power meter will be the best test. But you have to use two additional jumpers (that you know are in good shape) to test one properly. Put one known good jumper on the source and plug it into the meter. Hit the "reference" button to zero the meter. Unplug the jumper from the power meter (it's important that you unplug this one since 1) you don't want to disturb the mating conditions of the connector mating on the light source and 2) the power meter has no connector on the inside but a photo receiver that's forgiving enough that the value won't change if you unplug and replug the connector into it). Then take another good jumper and plug it into the power meter. Then place the jumper you're testing in the middle using a couple of spare adapters. This not only tests the fiber itself, but the quality of the connector endfaces since they are mated to other connectors. Make sure all the connectors are as clean as you can get them before doing this.
Fiber patch cables play a really important part in telecommunications for making transmission faster and more accurate. Sourcing above-mentioned types of fiber patch cables, fiber cables, fiber pigtail, PLC splitter, splice enclosure,...at en.OFweek.