Using GLC-LH-SM on MM fibre with Mode Conditioning Cable?

[gchui]

Dear all,

I have to use mode conditioning cable when running GLC-LH-SM on multi-mode fibre. Does any know there is any cisco LC-SC interface mode conditioning cable? Thanks

Gary

[konigl]

Yes, LC-SC mode conditioning patch cables are out there, they're just not as common as the SC-SC ones.

A quick search of http://www.google.com for the terms

LC SC mode conditioning

turned up a few sources.

AMP makes some, see this PDF for part numbers:

http://www.tycoelectronics.com/fiberoptics/light/Connect_Light_0603/Mode_Conditioning_Cable_Assys_0603.pdf

Transition Networks also has them:

http://www.transition.com/TransitionNetworks/Uploads/Downloads/1000mcc-1.pdf

And Cables.com manufactures them in custom lengths for US$67.50 plus US$1.00 per meter (add US$2.50 if the multimode portion should be 50/125 instead of 62.5/125 cable):

http://cables.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CARA&Product_Code=LCSC-XMC&Category_Code=MODECONDITIONING

[gchui]

Dear,

Does Cisco has the LC-SC mode conditioning cable?

Gary

[konigl]

As faw as I know, Cisco just has product number CAB-GELX-625=, "Gigabit Ethernet Multimode Conditioning Cable", list price US$500. This is SC-SC.

It is my understanding that Cisco started offering the SC-SC mode conditioning patch cable as a service to customers who couldn't find these hybrid cables through their normal supply channels. This was years ago, when SC-SC or ST-SC was your only choice. It's not a big seller, and if you buy it from them you're paying a premium price.

Corning only produces them in SC-SC or ST-SC.

If your multimode fiber is newer cable, you might not even need the mode conditioning patch. Corning and some others make multimode now that doesn't have the center-line imperfections that the offset launch is designed to get around.

[sfcable]

Yes, you can use the GLC-LH-SM module with multimode fiber by using a mode-conditioning patch cable (MCPC)—especially with older MMF like OM1 or OM2—to avoid signal distortion. These cables are essential when mixing single-mode optics with multimode fiber. You can find Mode Conditioning Cables here for different connector types including LC-SC, which are compatible with Cisco transceivers.