Nippon Labs OS2 LC/APC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Simplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–10 m

This is a single fiber singlemode patch cord with an angled polish LC connector on one end and an angled polish SC connector on the other. It is the cord to reach for when your equipment takes the small LC footprint but the patch panel, splitter or drop on the other side is terminated in the larger SC format. Both ends are APC polished, so it stays inside an all APC path from end to end.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OS2 singlemode, 9/125
• Fiber mode: Simplex, 1 strand
• Connectors: LC to SC
• Polish type: APC to APC
• Wavelength: 1310nm and 1550nm
• Insertion loss: 0.3 dB or less
• Return loss: 65 dB or better
• Fiber standard: ITU-T G657A1
• Fire rating: UL listed, OFNR riser rated
• Jacket material: PVC
• Jacket color: Yellow
• Jacket outside diameter: 2.0mm
• Core: Corning
• Lengths available: 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 7m, 10m
• Packaging: 1 piece in a zip bag

Good for

• Connecting an LC based SFP or media converter to an SC/APC port on an older patch panel or wall box
• Riser runs in the vertical shafts that pass between floors, where an OFNR rated jacket is called for
• Reaching an SC/APC terminated singlemode drop from LC equipment without stacking an extra adapter and coupler into the path

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 OS2 singlemode with a 9/125 core and a yellow jacket, so it is suited to long distance links and to singlemode equipment running at 1310nm and 1550nm. It will not work with 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.

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. APC connector bodies are green and UPC are blue by convention.

Simplex or duplex? Simplex is a single fiber, for bidirectional transceivers that send and receive over one strand, and for passive optical network drops. If your transceivers have separate transmit and receive ports, you need a duplex cable instead.

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.

Which end goes where? The LC end is the smaller latching connector that fits switch SFPs and modern patch panels. The SC end is the larger square push pull connector common on older panels and on carrier supplied hardware. Both are APC, so each end still has to go into an APC socket.

What does OFNR riser rated mean? This cord is UL listed and OFNR rated, which is the flame rating for cable run in the vertical shafts that carry between floors of a building. If your pathway is a plenum air handling space instead, check what your local code requires before you pull this in.