Warnings in Using Mode Conditioning Patch Cord

Mode conditioning patch cord is not the same with common fiber patch cables so there are some cautions when using mode conditioning patch cable.

The first thing is the installation requirements when used with fiber optic transceivers. At one end of the patch cable, the single mode fiber connector must be plugged into the transmit side of the transceiver, and connect its adjacent multimode fiber connector to the receive side of the transceiver. At the other end of the patch cable, the two multimode fiber connectors are connected to the cable plant. Repeat the steps for the other transceiver at the other side of the link. So we usually use mode conditioning patch cables in pairs.

The second thing is that mode conditioning patch cord can only be used with 1300/1310nm 1000BASE-LX/LH, 10GBASE-LX4 and 10GBASE-LRM modules, it should never be used with 850nm optics, including 1000BASE-SX and 10GBASE-SR transceivers.

Besides, mode conditioning patch cord should not be used for applications over laser-optimized OM3/OM4 or any newer multimode fiber. If there’s need to use 1000BASE-LX/LH, 10GBASE-LX4 and 10GBASE-LRM modules but no willing to use mode conditioning cable, one alternative is to add attenuators on the transmitting side to protect the link and the devices; another way is to use single mode fiber patch cable for short reaches.