Female MTP® Elite to LC/APC Fanout | Base-24 | Single Mode G657.A2 | 3.0/1.8mm

Overview

The Female MTP® to LC APC Fanout Cable provides a robust and scalable method for distributing high-density single-mode fiber connections. This assembly features a Female MTP® Elite connector (without pins) on one end, designed to mate perfectly with male MPO/MTP® connectors on backbone trunk cables or distribution panels. The cable then breaks out into 24 individual simplex LC APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors, enabling seamless integration with standard equipment interfaces.

Constructed with superior G.657.A2 bend-insensitive single-mode fiber, this 24 fiber fanout cable is exceptionally resilient to signal loss from bending and tight routing, a common challenge in dense racks. The combination of a genuine MTP® Elite connector and precision-polished LC APC terminations guarantees extremely low insertion loss and excellent return loss, a critical requirement for long-haul, telecom, and high-bandwidth optical networks.

Key Features

• Female Connector for Mating: Features a female (no pins) MTP® connector, designed for connecting to male MPO/MTP® trunk cables or ports.
• High-Density Distribution: Efficiently splits one 24-fiber MTP® connection into 24 simplex LC APC connections.
• Elite Low Loss Performance: Utilizes a genuine MTP® Elite connector for minimal insertion loss, preserving critical link budget.
• Bend-Insensitive G.657.A2 Fiber: Ensures reliable performance even when routed in tight spaces and around sharp corners.
• Superior Return Loss: Equipped with LC APC connectors to minimize back reflection, essential for sensitive single-mode applications.
• Organized & Scalable: Simplifies cable management by replacing numerous individual patch cords with a single, streamlined assembly.

Applications

This cable is the ideal interface between high-density backbone cabling and active equipment. Its female MTP® connector allows it to extend male MTP® trunks, breaking out the 24 fibers for patching into transceivers, splitters, or multiplexers. It is perfectly suited for:

• Data Center Cross-Connects and Interconnects (DCI)
• Telecommunication Central Offices and Distribution Frames
• FTTH (Fiber to the Home) and CATV Networks
• High-Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters
• DWDM and Coherent Optical Systems

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This MTP® to LC APC breakout cable is manufactured to meet and exceed all relevant TIA/EIA and IEC industry standards for optical performance and connector geometry. Its standards-compliant design guarantees universal compatibility with any networking hardware or passive infrastructure that uses MTP®-24 and LC APC interfaces. It is proven to work flawlessly with equipment from all leading manufacturers, including:

• Cisco
• Juniper
• Arista
• HPE/Aruba
• Brocade
• Dell/Force10
• Finisar
• Intel

Advantages

The primary advantage of this cable is its ability to create a flexible, modular connection point in a single-mode network. The female MTP® end allows for easy connection to pre-installed male backbone cables, simplifying moves, adds, and changes. The use of G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber significantly enhances installation reliability, while the LC APC connectors provide the superior return loss performance ($≥60text{dB}$) demanded by modern, high-speed, long-reach optical systems that cannot tolerate signal reflection.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. When is a Female MTP® connector the correct choice?

MPO/MTP® systems require a male-to-female connection. A female MTP® connector (with guide holes) is used to connect to a male MTP® connector (with guide pins). This cable is designed to plug into a male-terminated trunk cable or a male port on a patch panel or device.

2. Why are LC APC connectors essential for this single-mode cable?

APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors have an 8-degree angled end-face that reflects light into the fiber cladding, not back to the source. This dramatically reduces back reflection, achieving a superior return loss of ≥60dB. This is a critical requirement for applications like DWDM, video, and long-haul telecom where reflections can destabilize lasers and corrupt the signal.

3. What is the benefit of G.657.A2 fiber over standard G.652.D fiber?

While both are single-mode fibers, G.657.A2 is “bend-insensitive.” It is engineered to handle very tight bend radii (as low as 7.5mm) with minimal signal loss, making it perfect for high-density racks, wall boxes, and complex routing paths where standard fiber would fail.

4. What does Base-24 mean for this cable?

Base-24 indicates that the MTP® connector utilizes all 24 available fibers. This fanout cable “breaks out” those 24 fibers into 24 individual simplex LC connectors, allowing every fiber in the high-density link to be used independently.

5. Can I use this cable to connect 12 duplex devices?

Yes. Although the cable terminates in 24 simplex LC connectors, you can pair them up (e.g., fiber 1 and 2, fiber 3 and 4) to create 12 duplex channels for connecting to 12 devices that require separate transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) paths, such as SFP+ transceivers.

6. What is the difference between MPO and MTP®?

MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) is the industry standard connector type. MTP® is a specific, high-performance brand of MPO connector developed by US Conec. It includes patented features, like a floating ferrule and elliptical guide pins, that provide enhanced mechanical stability and more reliable optical performance.

7. Is this single-mode cable compatible with multi-mode fiber (OM3/OM4)?

Absolutely not. Single-mode (9/125µm core) and multi-mode (50/125µm core) fibers have different core sizes and are fundamentally incompatible. Mixing them will lead to extreme signal loss and complete link failure. The yellow jacket signifies single-mode use only.

8. How is polarity handled with this fanout cable?

Polarity is the mapping of fibers from one end to the other. To ensure the transmitter on one end connects to the receiver on the other, the correct polarity method (e.g., Type A, Type B) must be chosen based on your end-to-end network design. This cable can be ordered with the specific polarity you need.