Nippon Labs OM4 LC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–15 m

This is a two fiber OM4 multimode patch cord with duplex LC connectors at one end and duplex SC connectors at the other, for bridging high density LC equipment to an SC terminated panel or port. What separates it from the OM3 cords in this range is reach: OM4 glass with an effective modal bandwidth of 4700 MHz per km at 850nm carries 10Gb to 550 meters, and 40Gb or 100Gb to 150 meters.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OM4 multimode, 50/125
• Fiber mode: Duplex, 2 strands
• Connectors: LC to SC
• Polish type: UPC to UPC
• Data rates: 10Gb to 550 meters, 40Gb and 100Gb to 150 meters
• Effective modal bandwidth: 4700 MHz per km at 850nm
• Insertion loss: under 0.3 dB
• Return loss: over 35 dB
• Jacket material: 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, 5m, 7m, 10m, 15m
• Included: test report in each cable package

Good for

• Data center rows where a high density LC switch port has to reach an SC terminated patch field, at 10Gb over a long horizontal run
• Fiber channel and storage links, and other data center applications that need more headroom than OM3 gives
• Riser runs between floors on a 40Gb or 100Gb link inside 150 meters, where an OFNR rated jacket is required

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 OM4 multimode with a 50/125 core and an aqua jacket, so it suits the longer multimode runs: 10Gb out to 550 meters, and 40Gb or 100Gb inside 150 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 do I gain over the OM3 version? Higher bandwidth and longer reach on the same 50/125 core size. This cord is specified at 4700 MHz per km effective modal bandwidth at 850nm, giving 10Gb to 550 meters and 40Gb or 100Gb to 150 meters, where the OM3 cords in this range are rated to 300 meters and 100 meters. OM4 can carry an OM3 rated link, but not the other way round.

Can I patch OM4 into an existing OM3 channel? The core size is the same 50/125, so the connectors mate and the cord will pass light. Be aware that the channel as a whole is only as good as its weakest section, so a short OM4 jumper does not lift the reach of a link whose backbone is OM3. Test the finished channel rather than relying on the jumper's own rating.