Nippon Labs OS2 SC/APC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–3 m

This is a singlemode fiber patch cable with an angled polished SC connector on both ends, the standard cord for passive optical network work where both the wall box and the equipment take SC/APC. It is duplex, so one strand transmits and one receives inside a single jacket. The APC polish is what sets it apart from the blue SC/UPC cords in this range: return loss of 65 dB or better, and it must only ever be plugged into other APC ports.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OS2 singlemode
• Core and cladding: 9 / 125 micron
• Connectors: SC to SC
• Polish: APC to APC
• Configuration: Duplex, 2 strands
• Wavelength: 1310 nm and 1550 nm
• Insertion loss: less than or equal to 0.3 dB
• Return loss: greater than or equal to 65 dB
• Standard: ITU-T G657A1
• Jacket material: PVC, described as OFNR (riser) rated
• Jacket outer diameter: 2.0 x 4.1 mm
• Jacket color: Yellow, standard singlemode
• Glass: Corning core
• Lengths available: 1 m, 2 m and 3 m
• Listings: UL listed
• Packing: one piece per zip bag

Good for

• Passive optical network drops where both ends are green SC/APC, the most common fiber to the premises arrangement
• RF video and analog optical links, where reflections turn into visible noise and high return loss matters
• Short patching between a wall box and an ONT or media converter, at 1 m, 2 m or 3 m

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 cable is OS2 singlemode with a 9 / 125 micron core, in the conventional yellow jacket, rated to ITU-T G657A1 for bend tolerance. It is the right choice for long distance and passive optical network links on APC ports, and it is not suitable for multimode equipment.

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.

What is the difference between UPC and APC? APC connectors have an eight degree angled end face that reflects stray light away from the core, which gives much lower return loss. They are standard in passive optical networks and RF video. An APC connector must only be mated to another APC connector: plugging APC into UPC gives a poor connection and can damage the end face. By convention, APC connector bodies are green and UPC bodies are blue.

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.

My ONT only has one fiber port, do I need this duplex cable? Probably not. Most passive optical network ONTs use a single strand with a bidirectional transceiver, which calls for a simplex SC/APC cord. This is a duplex cable with two fibers, for equipment that has separate transmit and receive ports. Count the fiber ports on your hardware before ordering.

Is the PVC jacket right for in wall use? The jacket on this cable is PVC, which is normal for patching in a cabinet or equipment room, and the listing also describes it as riser rated. If the cord is going inside a wall, a riser shaft or a plenum ceiling, confirm the rating you need against your local code before installing.

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.

Often bought with

• OS2 SC/APC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Simplex Single Mode 9/125, 0.5–30 m: same SC/APC connectors in simplex for bidirectional transceivers
• OS2 LC/APC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–3 m: same SC/APC duplex with LC/APC on the other end
• OS2 LC/UPC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–5 m: same SC/APC duplex with LC/UPC on the other end for a UPC switch port