Nippon Labs OS2 SC/UPC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Simplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–5 m

This is a single fiber singlemode patch cord with SC connectors on both ends but two different polishes: SC/UPC at one end and SC/APC at the other. It is a transition cord for the point where an SC/UPC patch field has to meet an SC/APC passive optical network port, and it saves rebuilding either side to match. Same connector format at both ends, so watch the body color rather than the shape when you plug it in.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OS2 singlemode, 9/125
• Fiber mode: Simplex, 1 strand
• Connectors: SC to SC
• Polish type: UPC to APC
• Wavelength: 1310nm and 1550nm
• Insertion loss: 0.3 dB or less
• Return loss: SC/UPC end 55 dB or better, SC/APC end 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
• Packaging: 1 piece in a zip bag

Good for

• Joining an SC/UPC patch panel port to an SC/APC port on an optical network terminal or splitter tray
• Short jumpers inside a cabinet where the carrier side was built to APC and the in house side to UPC
• Turn up and test work where an SC/UPC instrument or transceiver has to be landed on an APC drop

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 for singlemode equipment and long distance links 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.

Why does this cable have one UPC end and one APC end? It is a transition cord, made for the point where a UPC based patch field meets an APC based passive optical network. The polish on each connector still has to match the socket it goes into, so plug the APC end only into an APC port and the UPC end only into a UPC port. Getting them the wrong way round gives a poor connection and can damage the end face.

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.

Both ends are SC, so how do I tell them apart? By the connector body color: the APC end is green and the UPC end is blue by convention. Because the two housings are the same shape, either end will physically click into either socket, so confirm the color before you seat it.

Why are the two return loss figures different? The angled APC end face reflects stray light out of the core, which is why the SC/APC end is specified at 65 dB or better while the flat polished SC/UPC end is specified at 55 dB or better. The link as a whole is limited by the weaker of the two.

Often bought with

• OS2 SC/APC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Simplex Single Mode 9/125, 0.5–30 m: same SC/APC simplex with APC polish on both ends
• OS2 LC/UPC to SC/APC Fiber Patch Cable, Simplex Single Mode 9/125, 1–10 m: same SC/APC simplex with LC/UPC instead of SC/UPC on the other end