LC Multimode Duplex Cable Technical Specifications

Connector Type	LC/UPC to LC/UPC Duplex
Fiber Type	OM3 (50/125μm) Laser-Optimized Multimode \| OM4 Available
Polish Type	UPC (Ultra Physical Contact)
Wavelength	850nm / 1300nm
Insertion Loss	≤0.2dB (Typical: 0.12dB)
Return Loss	≥20dB
10G Ethernet Distance	OM3: 300m \| OM4: 400m
40G/100G Distance	OM3: 100m \| OM4: 150m
Cable Jacket	LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) / PVC / Plenum
Jacket Color	Aqua (OM3/OM4 Standard)
Cable Diameter	2.0mm / 3.0mm Duplex Zipcord
Operating Temperature	-40°C to +75°C
Available Lengths	0.5m, 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 30m, Custom
Durability	>1000 mating cycles
Compliance	IEC 61754-20 \| TIA/EIA-568 \| RoHS \| REACH

Why Choose LC-LC OM3/OM4 Multimode Duplex Patch Cables for Short-Reach High-Speed Networks?

The LC to LC OM3 multimode duplex fiber patch cable delivers the optimal combination of bandwidth capacity and cost efficiency for enterprise data centers, server rooms, and SAN storage interconnections within 300 meters. Unlike single-mode fiber that requires expensive laser transceivers, this 50/125μm laser-optimized multimode jumper works seamlessly with cost-effective VCSEL-based SFP+ and QSFP+ modules, reducing your per-port transceiver investment by up to 60%.

The duplex configuration enables simultaneous bidirectional transmission-one fiber strand for transmit (Tx), one for receive (Rx)-making it the standard choice for 10GBASE-SR Ethernet, 16G Fibre Channel, and parallel 40G/100G breakout applications. Each LC connector features a compact 1.25mm ceramic ferrule with precision UPC polish, allowing twice the port density compared to SC connectors in the same panel space.

Manufactured with bend-insensitive OM3 or OM4 fiber and tested to insertion loss ≤0.2dB per mated pair, these cables ensure reliable signal integrity even in tightly routed cable pathways. The LSZH jacket option provides fire-safe deployment in enclosed plenum spaces and European data center environments requiring halogen-free materials.

Technical Advantages of OM3/OM4 LC Duplex Cables in High-Bandwidth Environments

10G/40G/100G Transmission Over Multimode Fiber

Engineered for laser-optimized 50/125μm fiber with 2000MHz·km effective modal bandwidth (OM3) or 4700MHz·km (OM4), supporting 10GBASE-SR up to 300m, 40GBASE-SR4 up to 100m, and 100GBASE-SR4 deployments. The enhanced bandwidth eliminates differential mode delay (DMD) that plagues legacy 62.5/125 multimode installations.

SFP+ and QSFP+ Transceiver Compatibility

The LC duplex interface for SFP+ modules provides direct plug-and-play connectivity with all major transceiver brands including Cisco, Juniper, Arista, and Mellanox. No mode conditioning required-simply connect to your 10G switches, storage arrays, and hyperconverged infrastructure nodes.

High-Density Rack Cabling with 1.25mm Ferrule

The LC connector's miniaturized form factor allows high-density fiber patching in 1U/2U patch panels with up to 144 ports. Ideal for top-of-rack (ToR) switch deployments and leaf-spine architectures where port count per rack unit directly impacts infrastructure ROI.

Push-Pull Tab for Cable-Dense Environments

Integrated latch mechanism with ergonomic push-pull release tab enables single-handed insertion and removal even when cables are tightly bundled. Reduces accidental disconnections during adjacent port maintenance-critical for live production network environments.

OM3 vs OM4 Multimode Fiber: Choosing the Right Grade for Your Distance Requirements

Both OM3 and OM4 multimode cables use the same aqua-colored 50/125μm fiber core and LC connector interface. The key difference lies in modal bandwidth and supported transmission distances at 10G and higher speeds. Use this comparison to select the appropriate grade for your multimode LC patch cable deployment:

Specification	OM3 Multimode	OM4 Multimode
Effective Modal Bandwidth @850nm	2000 MHz·km	4700 MHz·km
1G Ethernet (1000BASE-SX)	Up to 1000m	Up to 1000m
10G Ethernet (10GBASE-SR)	Up to 300m	Up to 400m
40G Ethernet (40GBASE-SR4)	Up to 100m	Up to 150m
100G Ethernet (100GBASE-SR4)	Up to 70m	Up to 100m
Typical Use Case	Intra-rack, short ToR runs	Inter-rack, row-to-row connections
Cost Consideration	Lower cost per meter	10-15% premium, future-proof

Recommendation: For new data center builds planning 40G/100G migration paths, OM4 provides longer reach that accommodates larger row spacing. For existing 10G deployments with cable runs under 100m, OM3 offers equivalent performance at reduced cost.

Application Scenarios for LC-LC OM3/OM4 Multimode Duplex Fiber Cables

Data Center Server-to-Switch

Connect server NICs to ToR switches via 10G SFP+ SR transceivers. The LC duplex interface matches standard SFP+ cage pinouts for seamless deployment in VMware, Hyper-V, and bare-metal environments.

SAN Storage Array Interconnections

Ideal for 16G/32G Fibre Channel connections between storage controllers and SAN switches. OM3/OM4 multimode supports FC protocols with the same cable infrastructure as Ethernet.

Leaf-Spine Fabric Backbone

Deploy as inter-switch links (ISL) in spine-leaf architectures. The 300m OM3 reach covers most single-building data hall distances without requiring single-mode upgrades.

Enterprise LAN Backbone

Upgrade campus building risers from Cat6 copper to 10G multimode fiber backbone. LC-LC cables connect distribution switches to core infrastructure across floor-to-floor runs.

Broadcast & AV-over-IP

Support uncompressed 4K/8K video transport over 10G Ethernet in broadcast control rooms and live production facilities. Low latency multimode links ensure frame-accurate switching.

HPC Cluster Interconnects

High-performance computing clusters using InfiniBand EDR or 100G RoCE rely on OM4 multimode for low-latency node-to-switch connectivity within compute racks.

Available Configurations: Lengths, Jacket Ratings, and Custom Options

We manufacture LC to LC multimode duplex patch cables in standard and custom lengths to match your specific rack layout requirements. All cables undergo 100% optical insertion loss testing before shipment.

Standard Length Options

Pre-terminated cables available in 0.5m, 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 7m, 10m, 15m, 20m, and 30m. Ships within 1-3 business days from stock. Ideal for ToR deployments with predictable cable run distances.

Custom Length Fiber Cables

Order exact-length LC multimode jumpers in 0.1m increments up to 300m for OM3 or 400m for OM4. Custom lengths reduce cable slack, improve airflow, and simplify cable management in production racks.

Jacket Material Options

LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen): Required for European data centers and enclosed plenum spaces. PVC: Standard riser-rated for general indoor use. Plenum (OFNP): UL-listed for North American air handling spaces.

Boot Color Coding

Customize connector boot colors for network segmentation identification-production vs. management, VLAN color coding, or A/B path differentiation in redundant links. Multiple boot colors available on request.

FAQ

Q: Can I use LC-LC OM3 multimode cable with 1G Ethernet SFP transceivers?

A: Yes. OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber is fully backward compatible with 1000BASE-SX (1G) transceivers. The 50/125μm core supports 1G Ethernet up to 550m (OM3) or 1000m (OM4), exceeding the distance capabilities of legacy 62.5/125 multimode by a significant margin.

Q: What is the difference between LC/UPC and LC/APC polish for multimode fiber?

A: Multimode fiber exclusively uses UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) polish with a flat ferrule endface. APC (Angled Physical Contact) polish is designed only for single-mode applications where high return loss is critical. Our LC-LC multimode duplex cables feature UPC connectors as the industry standard.

Q: How do I identify OM3 vs OM4 multimode cables visually?

A: Both OM3 and OM4 cables use aqua (light blue-green) colored jackets per TIA-598 standard. To distinguish them, check the cable print legend-it will indicate "OM3 50/125" or "OM4 50/125". Some manufacturers use a slightly different aqua shade, but color alone is not a reliable identifier.

Q: Can LC multimode cables be used for 40G QSFP+ connections?

A: 40G QSFP+ SR4 transceivers use MPO/MTP connectors with 8 fibers (4 Tx, 4 Rx) for parallel transmission. However, you can use an MPO to 4x LC duplex breakout cable to fan out the 40G port to four separate 10G LC-based devices. Direct LC-LC cables are used for the 10G endpoint connections.

Q: What cleaning method is recommended for LC multimode connectors?

A: Use a one-click LC fiber cleaner or lint-free wipes with 99% IPA (isopropyl alcohol) before each connection. Even microscopic dust particles on the 1.25mm ferrule endface can cause insertion loss spikes. Always inspect with a 200x-400x fiber microscope in production environments.