Fiber optic patch cord , also known as fiber optic connectors, is a fiber optic cable with connector plugs on both ends, used to achieve the optical path activity connection; one end is equipped with a plug is called pigtail.
Classification of fiber optic patch cords

1. fiber optic patch cord according to the different transmission media can be divided into common silicon-based single-mode fiber, multimode patch cord, and other fiber optic patch cords such as plastic as the transmission medium;
2. according to the connector structure form can be divided into: FC patch cord, SC patch cord, ST patch cord, LC patch cord, MTRJ patch cord, MPO patch cord, MU patch cord, SMA patch cord, FDDI patch cord, E2000 patch cord, DIN4 patch cord, D4 patch cord and so on various forms. The more common fiber optic patch cords can also be divided into FC-FC, FC-SC, FC-LC, FC-ST, SC-SC, SC-ST, etc.
3. Single Mode Fiber Patch Cord: the general fiber optic patch cord is indicated in yellow, and the connector and protective jacket are blue; the transmission distance is longer.
4. Multimode Fiber Patch Cord: generally fiber optic patch cords are indicated in orange, some are also indicated in gray, and connectors and protective sleeves are beige or black; the transmission distance is shorter.

The performance of fiber optic patch cord, first of all, optical performance, in addition to consider the interchangeability, repeatability, tensile strength, temperature and plugging times of fiber optic patch cord.
optical performance: the requirements for optical performance of fiber optic patch cords, mainly insertion loss and return loss, the two most basic parameters.
(1) Interchangeability, repeatability
Fiber optic patch cord is a universal passive device, for the same type of fiber optic patch cord, generally can be used in any combination, and can be used repeatedly, and the resulting additional losses are generally less than 0.2dB range.
(2) tensile strength
For a good fiber optic patch cord, the general requirements of its tensile strength should not be less than 90N.
(3) Temperature
General requirements, fiber optic patch cords must be in -40 ℃ ~ +70 ℃ temperature can be used normally.
(4) Plugging and unplugging times
The current use of fiber optic patch cords can generally plug and unplug more than l000 times.