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Fibre-optic cable

Fibre-optic cables – for networks and installations

DINIC fibre optic cables for professional fibre optic connections: Here you will find OM4 multimode patch cables with LC and SC connectors, outdoor fibre optic cables, as well as adaptors, couplers and accessories for server rooms, data centres, patch panels and building cabling.

Select the right cable based on fibre type, connector combination, length and application. For a quick selection, go directly to the main fibre-optic categories.

Find the right fibre optic solution quickly

LC / LC OM4 duplex patch cables for networks & data centres LC / SC OM4 for various LC and SC connectors SC / SC OM4 OM4 patch cables with SC connectors Outdoor fibre-optic cables for protected outdoor applications Fibre-optic accessories: adaptors, couplers and accessories

OM3, OM4 or OS2 – which fibre do I need? Compare multimode and single-mode, transmission ranges and typical applications. LC, SC or ST – which fibre optic connector is right for me? Connector types, simplex/duplex and UPC and APC explained clearly.

Looking for a fibre-optic connection for a router, ONT or FTTH?
OS2 single-mode cables with LC/APC or SC/APC can be found separately under Fibre-optic connection for routers » .

Choosing the right fibre-optic cable – fibre type, connectors and application

When selecting a fibre-optic cable, several characteristics must be taken into account. In addition to length, the key factors are whether the cable is multimode or single-mode, the fibre category, the connector type, whether it is simplex or duplex, the transceiver and the operating environment.

OM3 or OM4 multimode fibres are frequently used for professional network and data centre connections. For FTTH, telecommunications and longer distances, however, OS2 single-mode is usually employed.

OM3, OM4 or OS2 – what is the difference?

OM3 and OM4 are laser-optimised 50/125 µm multimode fibres. OM4 offers a higher modal bandwidth and thus provides additional range capacity for various Ethernet applications. OS2, on the other hand, is a single-mode fibre designed for significantly greater distances and other optical transceivers.

Feature	OM3	OM4	OS2
Fibre type	Multimode	Multimode	Single-mode
Fibre	50/125 µm	50/125 µm	9/125 µm
10GBASE-SR	typ. up to 300 m	typically up to 400 m	Not 10GBASE-SR – other single-mode transceiver required
40GBASE-SR4	typically up to 100 m	typ. up to 150 m	Another single-mode transmission standard required
Typical applications	Existing multimode networks, LAN, data centre	Data centres, server rooms, in-building cabling	FTTH, FTTB, campus, backbone and longer distances
Typical connectors	LC, SC	LC, SC	LC, SC – APC versions are frequently used for FTTH

Important: Transmission range is always specific to a particular combination of Ethernet standard, fibre and transceiver. Connector types, splices and the available attenuation budget also influence the actual usable distance.

Compare OM3, OM4 and OS2 in more detail

Which type of fibre is suitable for 10, 40 or 100 Gbit/s, data centres, in-building cabling or FTTH?

Go to the fibre-optic guide »

LC or SC – which fibre optic connector is right?

The designations LC and SC refer to the connector – not the fibre type. An LC connector can therefore be used with both an OM4 multimode cable and an OS2 single-mode cable.

LC

Compact fibre-optic connector with a 1.25 mm ferrule. LC connectors are frequently used on switches, optical transceivers, patch panels and in data centres.

SC

Larger push-pull connector with a 2.5 mm ferrule. SC connectors are found, amongst other places, on patch panels, in building cabling and in fibre-optic access points.

LC to SC

If both devices have different sockets, an LC/SC patch cable can connect the two connector systems directly, provided the fibre type and end-face profile are compatible.

LC, SC or ST – which connector for which application?

Connector sizes, areas of application, simplex and duplex, as well as PC, UPC and APC – explained in detail.

Compare fibre optic connectors »

LC/LC, LC/SC or SC/SC – which combination do I need?

The connectors at both ends of the cable must be compatible with the existing devices, transceivers or patch panels. Having different connectors on either side of a fibre-optic link is not a problem.

LC to LC OM4 for two LC connectors, e.g. between active network equipment and a patch panel LC to SC OM4 for connections between an LC and an SC interface SC to SC OM4 for fibre-optic links with SC connectors on both ends

Simplex or duplex – what do these terms mean in the context of fibre optics?

Simplex refers to a connection with a single fibre or a single optical transmission path. Such cables are frequently found, for example, in FTTH applications.

Duplex consists of two fibres. In many traditional Ethernet connections, one fibre is used for transmission and a second for reception. OM4 patch cables for network and data centre applications are therefore often designed as duplex cables.

PC, UPC and APC – what do I need to bear in mind?

PC, UPC and APC do not describe the connector type, but rather the finish of the fibre end face. This is particularly important for single-mode connections.

PC – Physical Contact: basic contact polish
UPC – Ultra Physical Contact: optimised straight polish with reduced reflections
APC – Angled Physical Contact: angled fibre end face for particularly low back reflection

Do not confuse APC and UPC: connector types that look mechanically identical may have different fibre end-face finishes. APC should not be directly coupled with PC/UPC.

When do I need an outdoor fibre-optic cable?

Standard patch cables are primarily intended for protected indoor areas. For connections outside buildings or in areas subject to greater mechanical stress, however, a cable must be selected whose construction is specifically designed for the relevant environment.

MAG offers separate OM4 outdoor fibre-optic cables for such applications. Before installation, you should also take into account the route of installation, mechanical stress, temperature range and, where applicable, requirements for rodent protection or building entry points.

Fibre-optic cables for FTTH, routers and ONTs

OS2 single-mode fibre is generally used for fibre-optic internet connections. SC/APC connectors are frequently found at the fibre-optic termination point; LC/APC connectors, for example, may be present on the router, ONT or optical module.

FTTH is a separate application area: you can find suitable OS2 patch cables and APC adaptors under ‘Fibre-optic router connections’».

Fibre-optic accessories – adaptors and connectors

Suitable fibre-optic adaptors and couplers are required for patch panels, extensions, modifications and the splicing of pre-terminated fibre-optic cables. Not only must the mechanical connectors match, but the fibre type and, where applicable, the fibre end face must also be compatible.

View fibre optic adaptors and connectors »

Frequently asked questions about fibre-optic cables

What is a fibre-optic cable?

Fibre-optic stands for ‘light-guiding fibre’. Data is transmitted optically via glass fibres. This enables high data rates, long transmission distances and a high degree of immunity to electromagnetic interference.

Which type of fibre is better – OM3 or OM4?

OM3 may still be a sensible choice for existing OM3 infrastructures. For new multimode connections, OM4 offers higher modal bandwidth and, for various Ethernet applications, additional range capacity.

Which type of fibre do I need for 10 Gbit/s?

With 10GBASE-SR, distances of up to 300 m are typically possible with OM3 and up to 400 m with OM4. For longer distances, OS2 single-mode fibre and suitable transceivers may be required.

Is an LC connector a single-mode or multi-mode connector?

Both are possible. LC simply refers to the mechanical design of the connector. LC connectors can be used with both OM3/OM4 multimode fibres and OS2 single-mode fibres.

Can I connect an LC cable to an SC connector?

Not directly with an LC/LC cable. However, if one end is LC and the other is SC, a pre-terminated LC/SC fibre-optic cable can be used, provided the fibre class and optical specification are suitable for the application.

What type of fibre do I need for a fibre-optic router?

OS2 single-mode fibre is usually used for FTTH and FTTB connections. In addition, the connector types and polish must be compatible with the GF-TA, ONT or router, for example SC/APC or LC/APC.

What is the difference between fibre-optic cable and optical fibre?

In a networking context, the terms are often used interchangeably. ‘LWL’ is the abbreviation for ‘Lichtwellenleiter’ (lightwave conductor) and describes optical transmission via glass or optical fibres.