Type of Fiber Patch Cord

Fiber optic patch cord can be classified into various types based on the different connectors they use, such as MPO/MTP, LC, SC, FC, ST, MTRJ, MU, E2000, and DIN. Although these different fiber optic patch cord types have similar components (comprising connectors and fiber cables) and the same functionality, the differences in their characteristics and performance lead to variations in their application scenarios.

LC Fiber Optic Patch Cord

The LC fiber optic patch cord is one of the most commonly used patch cords in optical networks. It uses an LC connector with a 1.25mm diameter ferrule, making it small in size and highly suitable for high-density wiring. Therefore, it is widely used in server rooms and data centers. Today, in order to meet the high-density and high-performance requirements of data centers, many suppliers have introduced improved LC fiber optic patch cord, such as ultra-low insertion loss LC patch cords and single-tube dual-core LC patch cords.

SC Fiber Optic Patch Cord

The SC fiber optic patch cord uses an SC connector with a 2.5mm diameter ferrule, which is twice the size of the LC connector. For this reason, it is also known as a "large square-head" connector (large square-head fiber optic patch cord). This patch cord adopts a push-pull structure, making it easy to use and offering excellent performance. It is especially suitable for telecom and data network systems, including point-to-point passive optical networks.

MPO/MTP Fiber Optic Patch Cord

The MPO/MTP fiber optic patch cord is one of the most common patch cords in high-speed data communication systems, such as 40G/100G direct connections and interconnections. The MPO/MTP fiber optic patch cord uses a multi-core fiber connector and can accommodate 6 to 144 fibers, making it the largest capacity fiber optic patch cord available today. It consists of fiber, sheath, coupling components, metal rings, pins (PIN needles), dust caps, etc. Due to differences in the arrangement of fiber cores and pins, MPO/MTP fiber optic patch cord is categorized into Polarity A/Polarity B/Polarity C male/female patch cord. Since these types differ, their applications vary as well. Therefore, when choosing an MPO/MTP fiber optic patch cord, it is essential to select the appropriate one based on the actual link configuration.

FC Fiber Optic Patch Cord

The FC fiber optic patch cord was the first to use a ceramic ferrule connector. Unlike the LC and SC fiber optic patch cords, it uses a round, threaded connector made from nickel-plated or stainless steel, which requires a threaded clip to secure it into the adapter or socket. Although the installation of an FC fiber optic patch cord is more complex, it remains commonly used for connecting optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs). Initially, FC fiber optic patch cord was also used in telecom and data network systems, but with the introduction of LC and SC fiber optic patch cords, FC patch cords gradually exited the market.

ST Fiber Optic Patch Cord

The ST fiber optic patch cord was developed and manufactured by AT&T after the FC fiber optic patch cord. The ST fiber optic patch cord uses a spring-loaded ceramic ferrule (2.5mm in diameter) with a bayonet-style connector, and the insertion loss is approximately 0.25dB. It is suitable for both long-distance and short-distance applications, such as campus networks and enterprise networks. However, in recent years, the market share of ST fiber optic patch cord and FC fiber optic patch cord has been gradually declining.