The Basics of Push-Pull Patch Cables

During cabling and daily maintenance, it is inevitable to plug fiber optic connectors in or pull them out from switches. But finger access to each patch cable and connector is very difficult in a high density cabling system. For patch cords with connectors like LC that are locked in the interface, it would be even more difficult, for you have to unlock the connector from the port first before pull it out. To solve this problem, a simple and easy solution for high density cable management is introduced, which is push-pull patch cable. This article will give you a brief introduction to it.

What Is Push-Pull Patch Cable?

A push-pull patch cable, or push-pull patch cord, has the same components and internal-structure as the traditional patch cords, except a tab attached to the connector used for pushing or pulling the whole connector, so it is also called push-pull tab patch cord. This small push-pull tab looks simple but it is functional for high density cabling in 40/100G migration. High density cabling for 40G/100G and beyond usually employs MPO and LC connectors. The image below shows push-pull patch cables with LC or MPO connectors.

Two Types of Push-Pull Patch Cable

As mentioned above, MPO and LC connectors are two commonly used connector types for push-pull patch cables. At this part, push-pull tab LC patch cord and push-pull tab MPO patch cable will be introduced.

Push-Pull LC Patch Cord: Push-pull LC patch cord contains the custom push-pull strain relief boot, and allows users easy accessibility when deploying very high density LC patch fields in data center applications. Push-pull tab LC cables are available in riser (OFNR), and low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) rated jacket materials to comply with local cabling ordinances and OM4, OM3 or OS1/OS2 fiber types to meet the demands of today's highest speed applications. They provide interconnect and cross-connect of applications in entrance facilities, telecommunication rooms, data centers, at the desk and network applications to interconnect pre-terminated cassettes in main distribution, horizontal distribution, and equipment distribution areas.

Push-Pull MPO Patch Cable: Push-pull tab MPO patch cable allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. They feature push-pull tab connectors that offer maximum accessibility in high density installations. You can install or remove it with one hand, providing quick fiber optic connections. The MTP/MPO connector is approximately the same size of a SC connector and it can accommodate 24 fibers, so it provides up to 24 times the density of SC style connectors, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space. High-density design cuts down on installation costs. And there is no need for long fan-out cables or individual long duplex cable runs.

Applications and Advantages

Push-pull patch cables offer ease of installation as well as superior performance. Other advantages include easy to remove, reducing risk of failure, and space saving. They utilize the latest engineered polymers, precision ceramics, and the finest metals to address specific applications, enabling a wide range of cable choices, SMF or MMF. They are highly recommended in interconnect systems. The table below shows their applications in details.

Push-pull tab patch cords can support high durability and flexibility which fit the connection between devices of different data rate. Fiberstore offers a full range of push-pull patch cables for your network applications. You can always buy from us with confidence.