The benefits of fiber optic connectivity are undeniable – high bandwidth over long distances and immunity to EMI, for starters. As a result, ShowMeCables has been adding a lot of new fiber optic patch cables to its inventory.

We thought it would be helpful to take a pause to clarify the differences among the chief types of fiber cable we offer. Below are the unique traits and main uses of each type:

Single Mode Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Unique Traits: A single light mode travels through the core, allowing for lower light dispersion and thus higher bandwidths over longer distances.

Main Uses: Long-distance, high-speed communication, including telecom networks, internet backbone, data centers, and enterprise networks. Shorter patch cables are used to connect: networking gear, servers, and storage units in data centers; equipment within a central office or data exchange point on telecom networks; the optical network terminal (ONT) to the fiber distribution point within a subscriber’s home for fiber to the home (FTTH); and more

Multimode OM1 Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Has a larger core size than single mode, allowing multiple modes of light to travel through the core simultaneously, but with less bandwidth and at shorter distances. Cable generally costs less than single mode. Bandwidth is typically around 200 MHz at 850 nm.

Main Uses: Short-distance communication, such as: interconnecting network equipment such as switches, routers, and servers within the same rack or cabinet in data centers; patch panels; fiber to the desk (FTTD) in offices, connecting workstations or devices to the LAN; testing and troubleshooting; cross-connects in telecom rooms.

Multimode OM2 Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Similar to OM1 but offers higher bandwidth, typically around 500 MHz at a wavelength of 850 nm.

Main Uses: Premises applications – networking and communication systems within a specific location or building, including LANs, data centers, enterprise networks, campus networks, and more.

10 GB Multimode OM3 Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Optimized for 10 GB high-speed data transmission over a shorter distance. Bandwidth is typically around 2000 MHz at 850 nm.

Main Uses: Data center backbone, server-to-switch connections, storage area networks (SANs), enterprise networks, high-performance computing (HPC), videoconferencing systems, backbone connections in schools, telecom, high-speed LANs, and fiber channels.

40/100 GB Multimode OM4 Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Compared to OM3, supports higher data rates over longer distances (short to moderate). Bandwidth is typically around 4700 MHz at 850 nm.

Main Uses: Same as OM3, plus video streaming and broadcasting, and emerging technologies.

Multimode OM5 Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Also known as wideband multimode fiber, designed for use with shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM). The bandwidth depends on the SWDM technology employed.

Main Uses: Same as OM4, plus multimode parallel optics, future-proofing networks, and data centers with high-speed connectivity needs.

Active Optical/Direct Attach Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Contains active components like lasers or LEDs for signal amplification.

Main Uses: Countless applications where the signal needs boosting, often for longer-distance transmission.

Armored Fiber Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Reinforced with a protective layer for increased durability.

Main Uses: Environments where cables may be exposed to physical damage or external stress, such as in factories and outdoors.

MPO/MPO Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Has multifiber push-on (MPO) connectors on both ends, which allows for fast and efficient connection of multiple fibers simultaneously, without requiring twisting or intricate alignment.

Main Uses: High-density environments like data centers, where quick and reliable connections and efficient use of space are essential.

MTP/MPO Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Has a multifiber termination push-on (MTP) connector on one end and a multifiber push-on (MPO) connector on the other. Both allow for fast connection of multiple fibers simultaneously, though MTP has lower insertion loss and improved optical performance.

Main Uses: High-density and high-performance applications such as data centers and telecom, where high data speeds, precision, and low insertion loss are crucial.

MTP/MPO Breakouts

Unique Traits: An MTP/MPO connector on one end that breaks out into multiple connectors on the other end.

Main Uses: Connecting high-density backbone cabling to individual devices or ports.

ns? Contact our U.S.-based customer service at +1 (888) 519-9505, email us or chat.

Polarized-Maintaining Patch Cables

Unique Traits: Designed to maintain the polarization state of light as it travels through the fiber, for reduced crosstalk and more stable signals in many environments.

Main Uses: Fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, fiber optic guidance/inertial components, metrology and interferometric sensors, telecom components, and test and measurement.

Our fiber optic patch cables are in stock and available with same-day shipping. In-stock products ordered before 5 p.m. ET ship the same day. Flat-rate UPS ground shipping is only $8.99.

Questions? Contact our U.S.-based customer service at +1 (888) 519-9505, email us or chat.