Fiber Optic Cables – Page 27

Introduction of Armored fiber cable

Armored fiber cable with build-in metal armor can provide stronger protection of the optical fibers than standards fiber optic cables. It can protect the optical fibers from rodent, oil, impact, etc. What’s more, some armored fiber can provide maximum bend radius. However, various types of armored fiber cables usually make customers confused. There are too many specific details to consider during selection, like fiber counts, jacket type, structure of the armored fiber cable, etc. The superior features make armored fiber cable a perfect fit for campus & building backbones, data centers and industrial applications.This post is something about Armored Fiber Cable you must be know.

Armored Fiber Cable Structure
As shown in the below picture, the optical fibers of the armored fiber cable are in the center of the cable covered by metal armor. The metal armor is covered by Kevlar firstly, then by the outer jacket. This is usually the most basic structure of armored fiber cables. For different applications, the structure will change accordingly. Kindly visit “Armored Fiber Cable Structures” for more details about different structure of the armored fiber cable.

Types of Armored Fiber Cable
Armored fiber optic cable can be divided into two types according to the metal tube: interlock armored fiber cable and corrugated armored cable. Interlocking armor is an aluminum armor that is helically wrapped around the cable and found in indoor and indoor/outdoor cables. It offers ruggedness and superior crush resistance. Corrugated armor is a coated steel tape folded around the cable longitudinally. It is found in outdoor cables and offers extra mechanical and rodent protection. Both types of these armored fiber cables enable installation in the most hazardous areas, including environments with excessive dust, oil, gas, moisture, or even damage-causing rodents.

Armored Fiber Cable for Indoor and Outdoor Use
Armored fiber cable can be used for indoor, indoor/outdoor and outside plant (OSP) applications. According to different installation environments, tight-buffered armored cable and loose-buffered armored cable are generally adopted: loose-buffer armored fiber cables are usually applied in outdoor applications, while both loose-buffered and tight-buffered armored fiber cable can fit indoor and indoor/outdoor applications.

Indoor Armored Fiber Cable
Armored cable used for indoor applications often consists of tight-buffered or loose-buffered optical fibers, strengths members and an inner jacket. The inner jacket is commonly surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlocking metal tap armor. As the fiber optic communication technology develops rapidly with FTTX, there is a fast growing demand for installing indoor fiber optic cables between and inside buildings. Indoor armored fiber cable experiences less temperature and mechanical stress and it can retard fire effectively.

Indoor/Outdoor Armored Fiber Cable
This armored fiber optic cable shares much popularity in today’s telecommunication network, which allows links from building to building eliminating the transition from indoor cable to outside plant cable. The following picture shows the structure of commonly used multi-fiber I/O armored fiber cable.

Outdoor Armored Fiber Cable
Armored cable for outdoor is made to ensure operation safety in complicated outdoor environment, and most of them are loose buffer design: with the strengthen member in the middle of the whole cable, loose tubes surround the central strength member. Inside the loose tube there is waterproof gel filled to make the cable water resistance. The combination of the outer jacket and the armor protects the fibers from gnawing animals and damages that occur during direct burial installations.

How to Select Armored Fiber Cable?

The selecting of armored fiber cable is like the selection of standard fiber cables. Fiber type (OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, or OM4), fiber count and cable riser should all be considered. However, there is many special properties of armored fiber cable, the armored fiber cable selection should also consider many other factors.

Armor Type of Armored Fiber Cables
The market can provide armored fiber cables with different types of armor tubes which are with different structures and materials. The most commonly used armor tubes are with interlock design and corrugated design as shown in the above picture. For now, the interlock armored fiber cable is very popular and being used in a lot of indoor and indoor/outdoor applications. Corrugated armored fiber cable is often used in outdoor applications. As for the materiel for armor tube, steel and aluminum are the most commonly used. Now light steel armored fiber cables are being widely used in a lot of indoor applications, because of its lower weight and flexible properties.

Pre-Terminated or Field-Terminated Armored Fiber Cables
As there is a strong metal armored tube inside the armored fiber cable, the termination of armored fiber cable is difficult than that of standard fiber optic cables. In some applications, field-terminated armored fiber cable is better in outdoor applications. While, to save time and ensure transmission quality, many installers will choose pre-terminated armored fiber cables for indoor applications. The pre-terminated armored fiber cables provided by the market are mainly armored fiber patch cable and armored fiber trunk cable. The former looks like the standard fiber patch cable, but it is stronger than the traditional fiber patch cable and is more flexible during cable for it can provide larger bend radius. Pre-terminated armored fiber trunk cable is a length of armored fiber cable with several legs on each ends terminated with fiber optic connectors. Kindly visit “Armored Fiber Cable” page for more specific details about pre-terminated armored fiber cables.

Conclusion
Armored fiber cable presents a premium solution to secure your network by protecting fiber links, which is specified as the primary backbone due to its distinct advantages for space efficiency, lower cost of materials and installation, as well as less risk of downtime and damage.Fiber-Mart offers a great variety of armored cable. and tested rigorously to ensure product reliability and durability, and all the fiber cables are ready in stock for delivery in volume.welcome to contact with us: product@fiber-mart.com.

Fiber Patch Cords vs Fiber Pigtails

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Fiber optic patch cord and fiber optic pigtail are two commonly used components in fiber optic network. They have many things in common and they also differ in distinct ways. Knowing both the similarities and the differences between them will help you make the best selection for your project. The passage mainly talks about their similarities and differences in both structures and applications.

Structures of Fiber Patch Cords and Pigtails

Fiber patch cord, also known as fiber optic patch cable or fiber jumper cable, is a short length of optical fiber cable with a connector on each end. Connector types on each side of the fiber patch cable can be different and they can also be the same. Fiber optic pigtail is a piece of cable terminated with a fiber optic connector at only one end of the cable and leaves a length of exposed fiber at the other end, so that the connector side can link to the equipment and the other side can be melted with optical cable fibers or stripped and fusion spliced to a single fiber of a multi-fiber trunk. The following picture shows a fiber patch cord and a fiber pigtail.

Fiber optic patch cords 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 cord 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 cord and pigtail is that fiber patch cord 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 cords can be cut into shorter lengths to make two pigtails.

Applications of Fiber Patch Cords and Pigtails

Fiber optic patch cords and pigtails provide interconnect and cross-connect of applications over installations in entrance facilities, telecommunications rooms, and data centers. They are available in OM4, OM3, OM2, OM1, or OS1/OS2 fiber types to meet the demands of Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet and high speed Fibre Channel. However, they have their respective application areas, too.

Fiber patch cords 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 cords 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. There are waterproof fiber optic pigtails used for outdoor applications, which is with thick poly ethylene (PE) jacket and big diameter.

fiber-mart.com produces high quality fiber optic patch cords and pigtails using a variety of commercially available connectors and fibers. We provide various single mode and multi-mode fiber patch cords and fiber pigtails. These patch cords and pigtails offer low insertion losses, and excellent repeatability. And they can be manufactured to custom length.

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MTP Fiber Patch Cables Overview

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MTP stands for multi-fiber termination push-on connector and is designed by US Conec and built around the MT ferrule. MTP fiber patch cable takes its name from the MTP connector, which allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. The following text will thoroughly cover types, advantages and applications of MTP fiber patch cords, and solution provided by fiber-mart.com.

Types of MTP Fiber Patch Cords

There are different types of MTP fiber patch cords based on various criteria. According to the core of the fiber, MTP fiber patch cords are categorized into MTP single mode fiber patch cords and MTP multi-mode fiber patch cords. According to the connectors on both ends, there are mainly two configurations for MTP fiber patch cables. One is the MTP connector to MTP connector, which is often called MTP trunk cable. The other is MTP connector to standard LC/FC/SC/ST/MTRJ connectors (generally MTP to LC), which is often called the MTP harness cable, or MTP fan-out cable. The picture shows a MTP trunk cable and a MTP harness cable.

Advantages of MTP Fiber Patch Cords

The MTP fiber system is a truly innovative group of products which moves fiber optic networks into the new millennium. MTP connector, as a kind of multi-fiber connector, is most commonly used for 12 or 24 fibers. It has about the same size of a SC connector and provides up to 12 or 24 times the density, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space. Using MTP trunk cables, a complete fiber optic backbone can be installed without any field termination being required. Moreover, MTP connector is designed as a high-performance version of the multi-fiber push on (MPO) and will interconnect with MPO connectors, so it is compatible with VZ TPR.9431, IEC-61754-7 and EIA/TIA-604-5. It uses a simple push-pull latching mechanism for easy and intuitive insertion and removal.

MTP jumpers utilizes precision ferrules, precise housing dimension and metal guide pins to ensure fiber positioning when mating and give excellent performance. And the easy installation of them saves time and money. They can optimize network performance and maximize lifespan. MTP multi-fiber jumpers deliver the performance and reliability needed in today’s demanding high-speed broadband and data networks. They are designed to cater for up-scaling needs and future technologies growth.

Applications of MTP Fiber Patch Cords

The MTP fiber patch cord is the choice for a wide variety of applications. MTP fiber patch cords can be used for backbones, disaster recovery, building fiber optic distribution, quick setup of new wiring hubs, warehouses, direct termination of ribbon cables, repair of plug and play universal system solutions, and parallel optical interconnects between servers.

Besides these general applications above, MTP trunk cable and MTP harness cable, two commonly used MTP fiber patch cords, have their respective special uses. MTP trunk cables are available in 12-144 count. These high count MTP assemblies are ideal for backbone and data center applications that require a high fiber count in a limited space. MTP fan-out assemblies provide connection to equipment or panels that are terminated with ST, SC, FDDI, or ESCON connectors and meet a variety of fiber cabling requirements. Such assemblies are pre-wired available for patch panels and wall enclosures.

fiber-mart.com MTP Fiber Patch Cables Solution

fiber-mart.com offers single mode and multi-mode MTP assemblies, such as MTP-LC, MTP-ST, MTP-FC, MTP-MU, MTP-MT-RJ, MTP-E2000, simplex and duplex. Also we provide UPC MTP assemblies and APC MTP cables. All fiber counts are available in plenum, riser, or outdoor ratings to suit different kinds of environment. Our high quality factory pre-termination eliminates the need for costly field termination and testing.

Introduction to Mode Conditioning Patch Cable

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What Is Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?

A mode conditioning patch cord is a duplex multi-mode patch cord that has a small length of single mode fiber at the start of the transmission leg, and also a single mode to multi-mode offset fiber connection part in this leg. There are two multi-mode fibers on one end and one multi-mode and one single mode fiber on the other end. It is fully compliant with IEEE 802.3z application standards. Mode conditioning patch cord causes the single mode transceiver to create a launch similar to a typical multi-mode launch. It is designed for long wavelength Gigabit Ethernet applications. The following picture shows the construction of a mode conditioning patch cable.

Mode conditioning patch cord (MCP) was developed as a solution for network applications where Gigabit Ethernet hubs with laser based transmitters are deployed. It is a special fiber optic patch cord and allows customer upgrading their hardware technology without the cost of upgrading fiber plant. In addition, MCP significantly improves data signal quality while increasing the transmission distance. The text will give some detailed information about mode conditioning patch cable.

How Does Mode Conditioning Patch Cable Work?

The basic principle behind the cord is that you launch your laser into the small section of single mode fiber. The launch of the light coming out of the equipment begins on a single mode fiber. The other end of the single mode fiber is coupled to multi-mode section of the cable with the core offset from the center of the multi-mode fiber. The light is launched on to the multi-mode fiber at a precise angle, giving the cable its mode conditioning properties. When we use such mode conditioning fiber optic patch cords, we need to connect the yellow leg which is the color of single mode to connect the transmit side of the equipment (single mode Gigabit transceiver) while we connect the orange leg which is the color of multi-mode to the receive side. The picture below shows how the single mode fiber is coupled to multi-mode section of the cable.

How to Install Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?

To install a mode conditioning patch cable, you need to follow these steps:

Step1: Connect the yellow leg (single mode connector) of the MCP cable into the transmit bore of the transceiver.

Step2: Connect the rest orange legs (multi-mode connectors) of the MCP cable into the receive bore of the transceiver.

Step3: At the other end of the patch cord, put all the orange legs (multi-mode connectors) into the patch panel.

Step4: Repeat the above three steps for the second transceiver located at the other end of the network link.

After you have finished all the connection steps above, all the swap of transmit and receiver can only be done at the cable plant side.

Why Do We Need Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?

Transceiver modules used in Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-LX) launch only single mode (1300nm) long wave signals, which poses a problem if an existing fiber network utilizes multi-mode cable. When a single mode signal is launched into a multi-mode fiber a phenomenon known as differential mode delay (DMD) can create multiple signals within the multi-mode fiber. This effect can confuse the receiver and produce errors. By allowing the single mode laser launch to be offset away from the center of the multi-mode fiber, mode conditioning patch cord reduces the effect of such differential mode delay and provides a much higher operational bandwidth by precisely aligning a single mode termination at the laser transmitter. This is essential for networks using 62.5/125 and 50/125 multi-mode optical fiber and may be specified for current multi-mode networks depending upon the system requirements.

Mode conditioning patch cables are with various options, from all types of connectors to different jackets and different lengths. A variety of fiber optic connectors are available for your convenience, including: LC/UPC, SC/UPC, FC/UPC, ST/UPC, LC/APC, SC/APC, FC/APC, and MTRJ. Mode conditioning patch cables are built in the form of a simple duplex patch cable, so they can easily be installed in a system without the need for additional components or hardware. Their length can range from one meter and up to support virtually any network topography.

How to Select a Fiber Optic Patch Cable?

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Fiber optic patch cable, also known as fiber patch cord or fiber jumper, is a basic and important part used to link equipment and components in fiber optic networks. There are many types of fiber optic patch cables, such as single-mode fiber patch cable, multimode fiber patch cable, 10G OM3 fiber patch cable, 10G OM4 fiber patch cable, and MPO cable, and there are a lot of special fiber patch cables for special applications, like plastic optical fiber patch cables, volition fiber patch cables, mode conditioning patch cable, military grade fiber cable, etc. Different kinds of fiber optic patch cables are utilized for different applications. How to select a fiber optic patch cable? How to choose the appropriate one? This post will provide a selection guide for you from several aspects.

Single-mode or Multimode

According to the core sizes of the fiber, fiber optic patch cables can be divided into single-mode fiber optic patch cable and multimode fiber optic patch cable. Single-mode fiber patch cable uses a single strand of glass fiber for a single ray of light transmission, allowing for greater signal distances. The power of single-mode fiber patch cable comes from high-powered lasers which transmit data at longer distances than multimode fiber patch cable. Multimode fiber optic patch cables have a core of either 50 or 62.5 microns. The larger core of multimode fiber patch cords gathers more light compared to single mode, and allows more signals to be transmitted. Light waves in the multimode fiber patch cable are dispersed into numerous paths as they travel through the cable core. Therefore, multimode fiber patch cable cannot travel as far as single-mode fiber optic patch cable. Multimode fiber patch cables are usually used for short distance applications, such as connections within the data center. Multimode fiber optic patch cable is available in several performance levels to support a variety of distances: OM1 applies to a large portion of the installed legacy systems; OM2 supports Gigabit Ethernet up to 550m; OM3 is laser-optimized to support 10G Ethernet up to 300m; and OM4 is also laser-optimized to support 10G Ethernet up to 550m.

Simplex or Duplex

Simplex fiber optic patch cable has a single strand of fiber and one connector on each end. Duplex fiber optic patch cable has two strands of fibers and two connectors on each end of the cable. Duplex fiber optic patch cable is the more popular patch cable type as most fiber electronics need two fibers to communicate, one to transmit data signals, and the other to receive signals. But in a few applications, only one fiber is needed, so simplex fiber optic patch cable is good for you. If you are not sure, you can always be on the safe side by ordering duplex fiber optic patch cables, and only using one of the two fibers.

Connectors

Fiber optic patch cable types can also be classified by the fiber optic connectors. They can be terminated with a variety of connector types such as LC, SC, FC, ST, MU, MTRJ, E200, etc. Connectors on both ends of a fiber jumper can be the same and can also be different. Fiber optic connectors have different constructions and their respective applications. For example, LC connector is a small form factor plastic push/pull connector with a 1.25mm ferrule, and it has a locking tab and a plastic housing and provides accurate alignment via its ceramic ferrule; FC connector is a metal screw on connector with a 2.5mm ferrule, and it is extensively used at the interfaces of test equipment due to its ruggedness. So when selecting a fiber optic patch cord, one important criterion to consider is to choose one with the most appropriate connector type that meets your needs.

Fiber-Optic-Connector

Cable Jacket

Fiber optic patch cables will be used in a variety of installation environments, thus there will be requirements for the jacket materials. The standard jacket type is called OFNR (optical fiber non-conductive riser) which contains no metal in it, conduct stray electric current, and can be installed in a riser application (going from one floor up to the next, for instance). OFNR cable jacket is also known as plenum jackets, which are suitable for plenum environments such as drop-ceilings or raised floors. Many data centers and server rooms have requirements for plenum-rated cables. Another jacket type is LSZH (low-smoke zero-halogen), which is made from special compounds which gives off very little smoke and no toxic halogenic compounds when burned and is being used in many public places, like schools, hospitals, train stations, etc.

Conclusion

Knowing the applications and desired capabilities is the very first step to determine the necessary supplies. Your choice will affect the level of fiber protection, ease of installation, splicing or termination, and, most importantly, cost. How to select the fiber optic patch cord that you need exactly? You need to take all those mentioned factors into consideration. And then make the right choice.

Introduction of Armored Fiber Patch Cable Overview

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Fiber optic jumper cables, as one of the most common component in fiber optic networks, are a transmission medium used to transmit data via light. There are many types of fiber optic jumper cables. For example, by fiber optic cable types, there are single mode patch cable and multimode patch cord; by optical connector, there are ST ST fiber patch cable, LC SC fiber patch cable, and so on; and by fiber optic cable jacket, there are PVC and LSZH fiber patch cords. And you can even order custom fiber patch cables with custom lengths and colors. In this post, a type of fiber patch cord, armored fiber patch cable, will be introduced.

Structure

The outer sleeve of armored fiber patch cable is usually made of plastics, like polyethylene, to protect it against solvents and abrasions. The layer between sleeve and inner jacket is an armored layer made of materials that are quite difficult to cut, chew and burn. Besides, this kind of material is able to prevent armored fiber patch cable from being stretched during cable installation. Ripcords are usually provided directly under the armored and the inner sleeve to aid in stripping the layer for splicing the cable to connectors or terminators. And the inner jacket is a protective and flame retardant material to support the inner fiber cable bundle. The inner fiber cable bundle often includes structures to support the fibers inside, like fillers and strength members. Among them, there is usually a central strength member to support the whole fiber cable.

Armored Fiber Cable

Features

Armored fiber patch cable, as a member of fiber optic jumper cables family, it retains all the features of standard fiber patch cables. Compared with those common patch cables, armored fiber patch cables are much stronger and tougher. For example, once stepped by an adult, standard patch cables may get damaged easily and fail to work normally. But armored fiber patch cables can withstand the pressure and perform well. Armored fiber patch cables are rodent-resistant, which means that you don’t need to worry about rats biting the cables.

Basically, armored fiber patch cables offer benefits and features of traditional fiber patch cables, but they are with the production and durability of armor. Armored fiber patch cables allow high flexibility without causing damage, which proves to be helpful especially in limited space. Moreover, armored fiber patch cables offer an ideal option for harsh environments without adding extra protection. Apparently, they provide an efficient solution for many fiber cable problems such as twist, pressure and rodent damage.

Types

There are mainly two types of armored fiber patch cable, indoor armored fiber patch cable and outdoor armored fiber patch cable.

Indoor armored fiber patch cable is used for indoor applications. It consists of tight-buffered or loose-buffered optical fibers, strength members and an inner jacket. The inner jacket is commonly surrounded by a spirally wrapped interlocking metal tap armor. As the fiber optic communication technology develops rapidly with the trend of FTTX, there is a fast growing demand for installing indoor fiber optic cables between and inside buildings. Indoor fiber patch cable experiences less temperature and mechanical stress. Besides, it can retard fire effectively, which means it only emits a low level of smoke in the face of fire.

Outdoor armored fiber patch cable is designed to ensure operation safety of the fiber in complicated outdoor environments. Most outdoor armored fiber patch cables are loose buffer design, with the strength member in the middle of the whole cable, loose tubes surrounding the central strength member. Inside the loose tube there are waterproof gels filled, the whole cable materials and gels inside the cable between different components (not only inside the loose tube) help make the whole cable resist water. The combination of the outer jacket and the armor protects the fibers from gnawing animals and damages that occur during direct burial installations.

Applications

Armored fiber patch cable is generally adopted in direct buried outside plant applications where a rugged cable is needed for rodent resistance. It has metal armor between two jackets to prevent from rodent penetration. Armored fiber patch cables can withstand crush loads well. Another application of armored fiber patch cable is in data centers, in which cables are installed under the floor where it can be easily crushed. Single or double armored fiber patch cable is typically used underwater near shores and shoals. And armored fiber patch cords are also used in customer premises, central offices and in indoor harsh environments. They can provide flexible interconnection to active equipment, passive optical devices and cross-connects.

Conclusion

In summary, when transmitting data or conducting power in harsh environments, protecting your cables is crucial to safe and reliable operation. This is where armored fiber patch cables come into play. Armored fiber patch cables are used in applications where cables will be exposed to mechanical or environmental damage under normal operating conditions.

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