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Differences Between Fiber Pigtails and Fiber Patch Cords

For my new buyers and the friends just know passive fiber patch cords. If you have doubts about 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 the 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.

Structures of Fiber Patch Cords and Pigtails

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 fibers counts like MPO (12 fibers).

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.

The major physical difference between fiber patch cord and pigtail is that fiber patch cord is a fixed-length piece of cable with fiber connectors on each end while fiber pigtail has fiber connectors on only one end of the cable. Fiber optic patch cords can be cut into shorter lengths to make two pigtails.

How to Test Connectors?

Using a light source, pigtails and patch cords can quickly be tested for continuity, in other words, the light goes in and comes out at the other end. If it doesn´t, a break or blockage is preventing the light from propagating, so usually, patch cords are ordered as unjacketed patch cords, tested with a light source then cut into two pieces in order to make two pigtails.

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Applications of Fiber Patch Cords and Pigtails

Fiber optic patch cords and pigtails provide interconnect and cross-connect of applications over installations in entrance facilities, telecommunications rooms, and data centers. They are available in OM4, OM3, OM2, OM1, or OS1/OS2 fiber types to meet the demands of Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and high-speed Fibre Channel. However, they have their respective application areas, too.
Fiber patch cords are commonly used to connect ports on fiber distribution frames. They support network applications in main, horizontal, and equipment distribution areas and are available in optical fiber riser cable (OFNR), and low smoke zero halogens (LSZH) rated jacket materials to comply with local cabling ordinances. They also support high speed (10/40 Gbs) telecommunications. Fiber optic patch cords can be used in many areas, such as integrated optics, laser detection and display, and materials processing.
Fiber optic pigtails support fusion splice field termination applications. They should be installed where they will be protected and spliced, so they are usually used with fiber optic management equipment like optical distribution frame (ODF), splice closures, and cross cabinets. Pigtails are found anywhere, but most commonly in optical assemblages or optical components. There are waterproof fiber optic pigtails used for outdoor applications, which are with thick polyethylene (PE) jacket and big diameter.