Custom MTP / MPO Cable Option Reference Guide

Strand Count is the number of strands of optical fiber within the cable. Typically one pair (one fiber to transmit data and one to receive data) of fibers gives users duplex communication equal to one 8 pair copper patch cable. These cables are manufactured with 12 to 144 strands in a single jacket. How many strands you require will depend on how many strands your equipment requires and how much you want to account for redundancy and expansion you want.

Current strand counts offered are:

MTP® Connectors
MTP brand connectors, available in male or female, utilize precision molded ferrules which can connect up to 72 fibers using either ribbon or subgrouped loose-tube cable. MTP brand connectors utilize a push-pull connector housing for quick and reliable connections.

MTP brand secure connectors are "keyed" identifiable by color. We currently offer 4 different types of secure MTP brand connectors: Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue. Each connector is only matable with adaptors of that same "key" or color. This provides end-users with peace of mind knowing that their fiber infrastructure is safe from intruders trying to steal data through their hardware.

MTP® Connectors
MTP brand connectors, available in male or female, utilize precision molded ferrules which can connect up to 72 fibers using either ribbon or subgrouped loose-tube cable. MTP brand connectors utilize a push-pull connector housing for quick and reliable connections. MTP brand secure connectors are "keyed" identifiable by color. We currently offer 4 different types of secure MTP brand connectors: Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue. Each connector is only matable with adaptors of that same "key" or color. This provides end-users with peace of mind knowing that their fiber infrastructure is safe from intruders trying to steal data through their hardware.

LC Connectors
The LC connector, a small-form factor connector, features a ceramic ferrule and is a miniaturized version of the fiber-optic SC connector. It looks just like the SC, but is half the size with a 1.25 mm ferrule instead of 2.5 mm. The duplex LC connector (two simplex LC connectors clipped together) uses the same mating profile as the simplex design. LC secure connectors are "keyed" identifiable by color. We currently offer 4 different types of secure LC connectors: Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue. Each connector is only matable with adaptors of that same "key" or color. This provides end-users with peace of mind knowing that their fiber infrastructure is safe from intruders trying to steal data through their hardware.

MTRJ Connectors
Available in male or female, MTRJ connectors are radically different than the other connectors shown, in large part, due to the single ferrule that handles two fibers. This is the first of the Small Form Factor (SFF) connector designs to reach a measure of market acceptance. The MT-RJ is a variation of the reliable MT-ferrule connector series, the first major multi-fiber ferrule design. MTRJ secure connectors are "keyed" identifiable by color. We currently offer 4 different types of secure MTRJ connectors: Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue. Each connector is only matable with adaptors of that same "key" or color. This provides end-users with peace of mind knowing that their fiber infrastructure is safe from intruders trying to steal data through their hardware.

Plenum cables are held to the most stringent testing of any of the cables rated by the NEC, rated for both flammability and smoke generation. Cable jacket fire ratings are something often overlooked when your cable purchase is made, only to be scrutinized by building inspectors after the installation. The National Electric Code articles 700-800 specify flammability ratings for certain installation situations, but muddle the issue by allowing substitutions to be made among their rating systems.

A Plenum is defined as any enclosed area that facilitates environmental air handling. An example would be an air conditioning duct or an air routing drop ceiling. However, a plenum can be any air space between walls, under floors, or above non air handling dropped ceilings if duct work is not sealed correctly.

Fiber optic technology can be used for a myriad of applications, and can be found in nearly all aspects of everyday life. The primary use for fiber optic technology is the fast, efficient transmission of data. This ranges from large-scale corporate global networks that handle sensitive financial and personal information, to consumer internet and high-definition cable television service.

Aerial
Aerial fiber optic cable is necessary for high-tension or long-span installations on overhead transmission towers and distribution power lines. All-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) aerial cables are constructed to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as ice, moisture, corrosion and wind.

Burial
Burial fiber optic cable is placed underground without conduit. Burial cable has a more rugged, durable construction in order to cope with the conditions that come with being placed in the dirt, such as heat, moisture, and other various types of elemental pressures. Furthermore, burial cable design protects it from potential chewing from underground rodents.

Universal Indoor/Outdoor
Universal indoor/outdoor fiber optic cable must be incredibly versatile to match the durability demands of outdoor environments, along with the flexibility needs to navigate tight indoor spaces in commercial and residential applications. Universal indoor/outdoor cabling is ideal for networking between buildings in close proximity with each other.

MicroCore® fiber optic cables provide a unique blown solution to crowded underground ducts where traditional cable designs are not an option. MicroCore cables are smaller than traditional loose tube optical cables and can be blown into otherwise full ducts, expanding the capacity of existing infrastructure which translates into less expense and faster deployment.

The Microcore product line is a complete solution with a range of designs suitable for applications ranging from backbone networks to FTTx.

Microcore cables are jetted or blown through a network of microducts using compressed air. Conduit systems can be laid and microducts blown in as needed, giving installers the flexibility of deploying fiber only when needed, thereby reducing the initial investment costs. Microcore can also be used for "overriding" existing networks and conduits, which might otherwise be deemed as "at capacity". The flexible, lightweight cable design which has a low friction jacket allows it to be blown over existing cables within a duct, thereby expanding the capacity of that duct which would have otherwise been deemed full.

The Fiber Optic Pulling Eye is an essential component when working with installation conduits, ducts or risers. Quite simply, a fiber optic pulling eye allows you to pull pre-terminated fiber cable through tight spaces properly, without damaging the fiber core. Using a pulling eye can also keep the fiber connector well protected for runs of up to 2000 feet. For a safe, stress-free installation, a fiber optic pulling eye is a must-have tool.

Breakout-style (or fanout-style) fiber optic cable, often referred to as just "breakout cable", is basically several jacketed simplex fibers packaged individually inside one jacket. This differs from distribution style cable, in which several tight-buffered fibers are bundled together within the same jacket. The design of the breakout-style cable adds strength to the cable for ruggedized drops.

Staggering refers to a change in the breakout length of each fiber in a multi-fiber or ribbon fiber assembly. A staggered breakout cable is typically used in applications where the cable must be routed to one side rather than from the front of a given port. The stagger allows connector/port mating while allowing for differing distance from port to cable transition.

In terms of length, the reinforced nature of the breakout style allows you to breakout individual cables at any point in the run. However, Breakout cable is suitable for short riser and plenum applications and also for use in conduits, where a very simple cable run is planned to avoid the use of any splice box or spliced fiber pigtail.

Correct fiber polarity insures that light transmitted by a transceiver is received into the correct port on the opposite end of the circuit.

Flipped
Cables with individual connectors per fiber – Standard for patch cables, this polarity layout is seen in duplex assemblies. Cables with multifiber connectors - Commonly used in cassette to cassette, backbone to desktop applications where you have an ODD number of components. They maintain the numbering system of having fibers 1 through 12 on one side adhere to the Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, etc, scheme and having the connector on the other end be Orange, Blue, Brown, Green, etc. The pairs on one side are essentially "flipped" to maintain proper transmit/receive channels.

Straight-Through
Cables with individual connectors per fiber – This polarity layout is seen in both duplex and simplex assemblies. In simplex connectored assemblies, this means if you transmit through the blue strand of fiber, you would insert the blue fiber directly into the receive port on the opposite end of the circuit. In duplex assemblies, if you were to use this layout without any flipped assemblies, light would be directed into the transmit port on the other end of the circuit. This layout can be used in applications where an EVEN number of links is needed, but only as a single link in this application. Cables with multifiber connectors - Used in cases where Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, etc, must remain the same on each side. This layout can be used in applications where an EVEN number of links is needed, but only as a single link in this application.

Rollover
Cables with multifiber connectors - Used mainly in InfiniBand applications. The fibers on one end maintain the standard 1 through 12 scheme, and on the other end you have a mirror image of those fibers.