LC to LC Duplex Armored Fiber Patch Cable, OM3, Riser (OFCR)
For Tanzanian site work, correct product selection should be followed by careful transport, connector inspection and retention of the fiber records. This duplex armored patch cable pairs two LC UPC connectors on an OM3 50/125µm multimode unit protected by a helical stainless steel tube. The aqua 3.0mm riser-rated (OFCR) jacket keeps the cord flexible for cabinet and under-floor routing, and the steel armor inside takes the crush, pull and rodent exposure that would otherwise require metal conduit. Bend-insensitive OM3 glass holds attenuation steady around the tight turns of real cable pathways.
Product Highlights
- Helical stainless steel armor against crush, impact and rodents
- Bend-insensitive OM3 fiber, 20/10D dynamic/static bend radius
- Riser (OFCR) flame rating for vertical building pathways
- Insertion loss ≤0.3dB, return loss ≥30dB
- Stock lengths 1m to 30m; custom lengths and jackets on request
- LC UPC to LC UPC duplex, OM3 50/125µm multimode
Specifications
| Connector Type | LC to LC |
|---|---|
| Polish Type | UPC to UPC |
| Fiber Mode | OM3 50/125µm |
| Wavelength | 850/1300nm |
| Fiber Count | Duplex |
| Fiber Grade | OM3 Bend Insensitive |
| Min. Bend Radius (Fiber Cable) | 20/10D (Dynamic/Static) |
| Cable Outside Diameter (OD) | 3.0mm |
| Flame Rating | Riser (OFCR) |
| Construction Type | Single Armored, Stainless Steel Tube |
| Tensile Strength | 120/225N (Long/Short Term) |
| Insertion Loss | ≤0.3dB |
| Return Loss | ≥30dB |
| Operating Temperature | -20 to 70°C (-4 to 158°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) |
OM3 for 10G SR and legacy 40G links
OM3 remains the installed base for a huge share of enterprise multimode: it runs 10GBASE-SR to 300m and handles 40GBASE-SR4 over the in-row and in-room distances where those links were deployed. Because where the existing link is OM3, adding an OM4 cord brings no measurable benefit, matching the cord to the plant keeps both cost and documentation clean. The duplex LC interface connects directly to SFP+ and QSFP breakout optics.
OM3 or OM4: choosing the right grade
The practical difference is modal bandwidth: OM4 extends 10G reach from 300m to 400m and gives 40/100G SR4 links more headroom. For new multimode builds, OM4 is normally the safer long-term option; for expansions of an OM3 plant, matching OM3 patch cords keep the inventory consistent. Both grades share this identical armored build; thus, the mechanical protection is identical whichever optical grade the path calls for.
Armor protection in shared pathways
Multimode backbones frequently cross spaces that were never designed as cable routes: retail ceilings, plant rooms, temporary event cabling. In those environments the biggest threat is mechanical, not optical. The helical steel tube inside this cord wraps the buffered fibers directly; thus, the connection survives foot traffic, moving equipment and rodent activity that would crush a standard jumper, and it does so without the cost and rigidity of conduit.
Mixed plants and clean documentation
Since both use aqua, where OM3 and OM4 both exist in one building, color alone will not keep the records straight,. Label each cord with its grade at both connector ends and keep the link records updated when links move. This series shares one build across grades; thus, the mechanical behavior is identical and only the glass changes; that makes mixed-grade sites simpler to document than sites mixing armored and unarmored patch cords.
Standard lengths plus custom builds
Standard offerings are stocked for fast delivery: 1m (3ft), 2m (7ft), 3m (10ft), 5m (16ft), 10m (33ft), 15m (49ft), 20m (66ft) and 30m (98ft), covering the common rack-to-rack, access and frame connections this cord is built for. Bespoke lengths beyond this range are manufactured to order. Because every meter of multimode glass adds 850nm attenuation, ordering the cord at the actual path length is the simplest way to keep the link inside its optical link budget. Specifying the precise path length avoids both the slack storage problem of an overlong cord and the strain risk of one that is too short.
Factory quality control and testing
Every supplied assembly is terminated with precision zirconia ferrule connectors and verified for insertion loss and return loss before packing. The 0.3dB insertion loss figure is a tested limit, not a design target. Ferrule end faces are geometry-checked for reliably repeatable physical contact and rated for up to one thousand mating cycles.
Purchase and Factory Support
Refer to the LC-LC OM3 duplex armored series when purchasing a quotation, and set out the path length and jacket rating. For other colors, polish types or connector mixes, the customized duplex armored program builds to the stated specification once the factory confirms the specification. For Tanzanian deliveries, the order details should include any site identification needed by the installation team.
