Nippon Labs OM3 LC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–25 m

This is a two fiber OM3 multimode patch cord with duplex LC connectors at one end and duplex SC connectors at the other, so it bridges high density LC equipment to an SC terminated panel or older SC port. It carries 10Gb to 300 meters, and 40Gb or 100Gb to 100 meters. Its distinguishing feature in this range is the length spread: eight sizes out to 25 meters, so it covers cross rack and cross room runs, not just in cabinet jumpers.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OM3 multimode, 50/125 micron
• Fiber mode: Duplex, 2 strands
• Connectors: LC to SC
• Polish type: UPC to UPC
• Data rates: 10Gb to 300 meters, 40Gb and 100Gb to 100 meters
• Effective modal bandwidth: 2000 MHz per km at 850nm
• Insertion loss: under 0.3 dB
• Return loss: over 35 dB
• Jacket material: LSZH and OFNR riser rated
• Jacket color: Aqua
• Jacket outside diameter: 2.0 mm
• Glass: Corning 50 micron core, 125 micron cladding
• Light sources: LED and VCSEL laser
• Compatibility: backward compatible with LED based 50/125 multimode applications
• Certification: UL listed
• Lengths available: 1m, 2m, 3m, 7m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m
• Included: test report in each cable package

Good for

• Connecting a 10 Gigabit LC based SFP or QSFP breakout port to an SC terminated multimode patch panel or wall outlet
• Runs of 10m to 25m between racks or between a telecom room and equipment in an adjacent space
• Riser runs between floors where an LSZH and OFNR rated jacket is required and the two ends use different connector formats

Choosing the right fiber

• Singlemode (OS2): a 9 micron core for long distance, from a few hundred meters up to tens of kilometers. Yellow jacket by convention
• OM3 multimode: a 50 micron core rated for 10 Gigabit to 300 meters. Aqua jacket by convention
• OM4 multimode: a 50 micron core rated for 10 Gigabit to 550 meters, and 40 or 100 Gigabit over shorter distances. Aqua or violet jacket
• OM5 multimode: wideband multimode for short reach 40 and 100 Gigabit over fewer fibers. Lime green jacket

This product is OM3 multimode with a 50/125 core and an aqua jacket, so it belongs on in building and campus links up to 300 meters at 10 Gigabit, with 40Gb and 100Gb inside 100 meters. Both ends need multimode transceivers.

FAQ

Can I mix singlemode and multimode? No. The transceivers on each end have to match the fiber type, and mixing them will not pass a link. Check what the SFP or transceiver in your switch is rated for before ordering.

Duplex or simplex? Duplex is two fibers in one jacket, one to transmit and one to receive, which is what most switch and transceiver pairs need. Simplex is a single fiber, used with bidirectional transceivers that send and receive over one strand.

How should I handle the connectors? Leave the dust caps on until the moment you plug in, and never touch the end face. A fingerprint on the ferrule is one of the most common causes of a link that will not come up. Clean with a proper fiber cleaner, not with a cloth.

What does the 2000 MHz per km figure mean? That is the effective modal bandwidth at 850nm, which is the measure of how much the light pulses spread as they travel down a multimode core. It is what allows this OM3 grade cable to hold 10Gb out to 300 meters where a lower grade multimode would not.

The link is up but one direction is dead. What should I check? On a duplex cord the transmit fiber of one device has to land on the receive port of the other. If the polarity is crossed, check the A and B legs at the patch panel and swap one end of the duplex pair, and confirm both the LC and the SC end are fully seated, since the LC latch and the SC push pull seat differently.

Often bought with

• OM4 LC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–15 m: same LC to SC connectors in OM4 for 550 m at 10G
• OM3 LC to LC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–30 m: same OM3 duplex cable with LC connectors on both ends
• OM3 SC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–15 m: same OM3 duplex cable with SC connectors on both ends