An optical fiber patch cord is a two fiber optic cable that uses the same connector type and optical fiber type as the optical fiber cabling that it is connected to. The fiber optic patch cables must meet the cable transmission performance requirements and physical cable specifications of TIA/EIA-568B.

The terms "fiber optic patch cord" and "fiber optic jumper" are often interchanged but strictly speaking they are different. The term "fiber jumper" is defined in IEEE 802.3 as an optical jumper cable assembly used for bidirectional transmission and reception of information. A fiber jumper can be a single-fiber cable or a multi-fiber cable. The jumper cable connected to the light source is called the "transmitter jumper". The fiber jumper cable connected to the fiber optic power meter is called the "receiver jumper". But you may also see these test fiber jumpers referred to as a reference jumper. However they are named, fiber jumpers are a critical part of your fiber optic test equipment setup.

Popular fiber patch cables on the market
1. LC
2. ST
3. SC and SC/APC
4. FC and FC/APC
5. MTRJ
6. E2000
7. VF-45

LC fiber patch cables come in many different configurations, such as LC to FC, LC to ST, LC to SC, LC to LC, LC to MTRJ, and many more. LC fibers are also available in simplex and duplex configurations. The LC family of connectors includes a stand-alone simplex design, a behind-the-wall (BTW) connector, and the duplex connector available in both single mode and multimode tolerances, all designed using the RJ-style latch. Single mode LC patch cords comes in several polishing favors: PC, UPC and APC. Multimode LC optic fiber patch cords have only one type of polishing: PC (Physical Contact) polishing. However, there are at least three types of common multimode patch cord to choose from. 62.5/125um multimode fiber (also called OM1), 50/125um multimode fiber (also called OM2), and 10Gig laser optimized 50/125um multimode fiber (also called OM3).

Special Types
1. Polarization maintaining fiber patch cables
2. Mode conditioning fiber patch cables (also called mode conditioning patch cord, mode conditioning cables)
3. Pre-terminated pigtail

Fiber optic patch cable has two major application areas: computer work station to outlet and fiber optic patch panels or optical cross connect distribution center. Optical fiber patch cables used for either cross-connection or interconnection to equipment shall be orientated as defined in TIA/EIA-568B. Position A goes to position B on each optical fiber. The connector that plugs into the receiver is position A and the connector that plugs into the transmitter is position B.

The installation of fiber optic jumpers is just like cables. Many fiber cables are created for specific service and must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's spec. Two of the most important specs are minimum bend radius and maximum tensile rating. Both specs apply to conditions for cables being installed as well as in normal working conditions.