fiber optic patch cords are more and more used to transmit telecommunication signals than traditionally copper patch cords in the network. Compared with traditional copper patch cords, fiber optic patch cords features higher operation speed -up to 10 gigabit, broader bandwidth, which means it is with a larger capacity of carrying the signals, longer transmitting distance, better to the environment- no noise, no radios, and easier to maintain them.
Usually the fiber optic patch cord structure is like this: fiber glass in the center with cladding on it, this is called the “core”, around the core people put some other different materials to make the cables with different features, for example, more tension-resistant, waterproof, etc. the most outside layer which is called “jacket” of the cable usually is made of PVC, and there are different standards, for example, riser, plenum, ofnr, ofnp, etc. the most commonly used cables for making fiber patch cords are with 0.9mm outer diameter, or 3mm outer diameter, or 2mm outer diameter. 2mm outer diameter is the most commonly used in North America, they look smarter although they function same as 2mm and 0.9mm ones.
fiber optic patch cable is a piece of fiber cable, with a certain length, and on both two side of the cable people put connectors on it. When fiber patch cord is with same connector types on both sides, people also call them fiber optic jumper sometimes, while for the patch cord with different connector types on both sides, people sometimes call it an adaptor fiber cable or hybrid fiber optic patch cable.
fiber optic patch cables terminations can be various kinds of connectors, in fact there are many kinds of connector types which were invented by different companies and individuals.In all there are about 100 kinds of connector types ,but only a few of them represent the majority of the market. The most commonly used types are :SC,FC,ST,LC,MU,MT-RJ,and E2000.