LC to LC Duplex Fiber Optic Patch Cable OS2 Single Mode | UPC | 3M | Factory Tested | EITS

It describes both the connector type and the polish on the ferrule end face. LC is the connector style, which has a small 1.25mm ferrule and a latch clip. UPC stands for Ultra Physical Contact, which is a polish that creates a slightly convex dome for direct glass-to-glass contact when mated. This reduces back reflection and insertion loss. Both ends of this cable are LC/UPC, making it suitable for connecting two LC-equipped devices directly.

Both OS1 and OS2 are single mode fibers with a 9/125 micron core, but OS2 uses bend-insensitive G657A1 glass that tolerates tighter bending radii without signal degradation. OS2 also supports longer transmission distances, typically up to 10 km at 10G versus 2 km for OS1. For data centers and indoor runs, OS2 is the preferred choice due to its superior performance and handling durability.

Duplex means the cable contains two fiber strands in a single jacket, one for transmitting and one for receiving. This is the standard configuration for most SFP and SFP+ transceivers, media converters, switches, and routers. Each end has two LC connectors side by side. If your equipment has a single LC port for both Tx and Rx, you need a simplex cable instead.

This LC fiber patch cable is compatible with any device that has LC-type single mode fiber ports, including SFP and SFP+ transceivers (1G and 10G), fiber switches, routers, media converters, optical network terminals (ONT), GPON equipment, patch panels with LC adapters, and optical distribution frames. Check that your transceiver supports single mode OS2 fiber before ordering.

Insertion loss is the reduction in optical signal power caused by the cable and connectors. This cable is rated at 0.17 dB or less, which is among the lowest available. Lower insertion loss means less signal degradation and a longer usable link distance. For reference, the TIA standard allows up to 0.75 dB per mated connector pair, so 0.17 dB leaves significant margin for longer links and complex runs.

Return loss measures how much light is reflected back toward the source by the connector interface. Higher return loss is better. This cable is rated at 52 dB or greater, which means very little light is reflected back. High return loss is important for high-speed links because reflected light can interfere with the transmitter. UPC polish achieves better return loss than older PC connectors.

No. OS2 single mode fiber is not compatible with multimode transceivers. Single mode fiber has a 9-micron core while multimode has a 50-micron core. Single mode equipment requires single mode fiber and vice versa. If your transceiver is marked SR, it is multimode. If it is marked LR, LX, or ZR, it is single mode and compatible with this cable.

G657A1 is an ITU standard for bend-insensitive single mode optical fiber. It allows the fiber to be bent to a radius as small as 10 mm without exceeding a 0.1 dB signal penalty. This makes it significantly more durable than standard G652D fiber in installations where cables are routed around corners, through tight conduit, or bundled in trays. All EITS OS2 patch cables use G657A1 fiber for long-term reliability.

Each cable ships with the patch cable itself in a moisture-resistant anti-static bag and an individual factory QC test report confirming the insertion loss and return loss measurements for that specific cable. Dust caps are fitted on all four connectors to keep the end faces clean before installation.

Yes. EITS supplies LC/UPC to LC/UPC OS2 patch cables in multiple lengths. Contact us through the website for lengths other than 3 meter, bulk orders, or custom configurations. All cables go through the same individual factory testing process and ship with QC reports. EITS ships from Irving, Texas.