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

This is an OM4 multimode patch cable with an SC connector on both ends, for links between switches, media converters, storage and any equipment using SC ports. It is duplex, so one strand transmits and one receives inside a single jacket. The SC body is the distinguishing feature here: it is larger than LC and seats with a simple push pull motion, which makes it easier to work with in a crowded or poorly lit rack.

Specifications

• Fiber type: OM4 multimode
• Core and cladding: 50 / 125 micron
• Connectors: SC to SC
• Polish: UPC to UPC
• Configuration: Duplex, 2 strands
• Supported reach: 10 Gigabit up to 550 meters, 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit up to 150 meters
• Effective modal bandwidth: 4700 MHz/km at 850 nm
• Insertion loss: less than 0.3 dB
• Return loss: greater than 35 dB
• Jacket material: OFNR (riser)
• Jacket outer diameter: 2.0 mm
• Jacket color: Aqua
• Glass: Corning
• Light sources: LED and VCSEL laser
• Compatibility: backward compatible with LED based 50 / 125 multimode applications
• Lengths available: 1 m to 15 m
• Listings: UL listed
• Included: test report in each cable package

Good for

• Switch and media converter links where the ports are SC rather than LC, which is common on older and industrial equipment
• 10 Gigabit runs out to 550 meters, or 40 and 100 Gigabit out to 150 meters
• Racks where the larger SC body is easier to seat and unseat by feel than a small LC latch

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 OM4 multimode with a 50 / 125 micron core, in an aqua jacket. It suits the longer multimode runs inside a building or data center, reaching 550 meters at 10 Gigabit and 150 meters at 40 or 100 Gigabit. It will not work on singlemode 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.

SC or LC, which do my ports take? Look at the port size. SC is the larger square body that pushes straight in and pulls straight out. LC is roughly half the width with a small latch you squeeze. They are not interchangeable without an adapter or a hybrid cord, so check the equipment at both ends before ordering. If one end is SC and the other LC, you want an LC to SC cable instead of this one.

Can this run in a riser? Yes. The jacket is OFNR rated, which covers riser pathways and the vertical shafts between floors. It is not plenum rated, so check your local code if the run passes through a return air ceiling space.

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

• OM3 SC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–15 m: same SC to SC connectors in OM3 at lower cost for runs under 300 m
• OM5 SC-SC Multimode Fiber Patch Cable, LSZH/OFNR, Lime Green, 1–30 m: same SC to SC connectors in OM5 wideband for SWDM optics
• OM4 LC to SC Fiber Patch Cable, Duplex Multimode 50/125 10Gb, 1–15 m: same OM4 duplex cable with SC on one end and LC on the other