Differences Between Fiber Pigtails and
Fiber Patch Cords
If you have doubts on the differences
between fiber pigtails and fiber patch cords this article will help you to know
their main differences. The main difference between these two cables is
that pigtails have one side terminated with a connector and other side ends
with bare fibers, while patch cords have two connectors terminated on both
ends. Let’s see in more detail how these assemblies are used and how
are they distinguished.
What is Fiber Pigtail?
A fiber pigtail usually has an optical
connector pre-installed at one end and where the other end bare fiber is used
for fusion splicing to another fiber. Pigtails can have female or male
connectors. Fiber optic pigtails are usually unjacketed in order to be spliced
and then protected in a fiber splice tray with a mechanical or thermal splice
joint protector.
What is Fiber Patch Cord?
A patch cable, also known as patch cord or
patch lead, is an electrical or optical fiber cable used to connect one
electronic or optical device to another. The connectors of a patch cord can be
installed at the ends with the same type of connector or different ones, for
example, it can have an SC connector at both ends or it can have an SC
connector at one end and an LC connector on the other end. Fiber optic patch
cords are jacketed and are available in simplex (1 fiber), duplex (2 fibers),
or in multiple fiber counts like MPO (12 fibers).
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