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

Overview

The Male MTP® to LC APC Fanout Cable is a high-performance solution designed for connecting high-density networking equipment directly to individual fiber channels. This breakout cable features a Male MTP® Elite connector (with pins) on one end, which plugs directly into female MTP® ports on switches, routers, and transceivers. The cable then “fans out” to 24 individual simplex LC APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors, ready for patching into other devices or panels.

Engineered with premium G.657.A2 bend-insensitive single-mode fiber, this 24 fiber fanout cable is optimized for applications demanding minimal back reflection and the ability to be routed in tight spaces. The combination of a genuine MTP® Elite connector and precision LC APC terminations ensures ultra-low loss and superior return loss performance, making it an ideal choice for carrier networks, data center interconnects (DCI), and high-bandwidth video transport.

Key Features

• Direct Equipment Connection: Features a male (pinned) MTP® connector for plugging directly into female MTP® ports on network hardware.
• High-Density Breakout: Splits one 24-fiber MTP® connection into 24 simplex LC APC connections.
• Elite Low Loss Performance: Uses a genuine MTP® Elite connector for exceptionally low insertion loss and a robust link budget.
• Bend-Insensitive Fiber: Constructed with G.657.A2 single-mode fiber, allowing for tight bend radii in dense racks without signal degradation.
• APC Connectors: All LC connectors feature an Angled Physical Contact (APC) polish, minimizing back reflection for sensitive applications.
• Simplified Cable Management: Consolidates 24 individual patch cords into a single, manageable assembly, improving airflow and organization.

Applications

This cable’s primary use is for breaking out high-density ports, such as 100G/400G ports on core switches and routers, into individual 10G or 25G channels. The male MTP® connector allows for a direct, one-step connection to the equipment, eliminating the need for intermediate trunk cables and patch panels in certain architectures. Its single-mode fiber and APC connectors make it perfectly suited for:

• Data Center Interconnects (DCI)
• Telecommunication and Carrier Networks
• FTTx (Fiber to the x) Deployments
• High-Resolution Video Transmission
• DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) systems

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This MTP® to LC APC breakout cable is built to exceed all TIA/EIA and IEC industry standards for fiber optic connectors and cabling. Its standardized design ensures seamless interoperability with any standards-compliant networking hardware or passive infrastructure. It is guaranteed to work with equipment from all major manufacturers that utilize MTP®-24 and LC APC interfaces, including:

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

Advantages

The most significant advantage of this cable is its ability to simplify high-density port breakout. By using a male MTP® connector, it can plug directly into a switch, providing 24 ready-to-use LC APC links without extra components. The use of G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber provides unmatched routing flexibility in crowded server racks and cable trays. Furthermore, the LC APC connectors offer superior return loss performance ($≥60text{dB}$) compared to UPC connectors, which is a non-negotiable requirement for many modern single-mode optical systems that are sensitive to signal reflections.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. Why should I choose a Male MTP® connector?

A male MTP® connector has two alignment pins and is designed to plug directly into a female MTP® port, which is commonly found on networking equipment like switches and transceivers (e.g., QSFP-DD, CFP). This allows for a direct, clean connection from the device to your breakout channels.

2. What is the benefit of LC APC connectors over LC UPC?

APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors have their fiber end-face polished at an 8-degree angle. This directs any reflected light back into the cladding instead of straight back down the fiber core. This results in a much higher return loss ($≥60\text{dB}$ vs. ~$50\text{dB}$ for UPC) and is essential for single-mode applications like video and DWDM that are highly sensitive to back reflection.

3. What makes G.657.A2 fiber “bend-insensitive”?

G.657.A2 is a specific ITU-T standard for single-mode fiber that has an enhanced, low-refractive-index “trench” around the core. This trench traps the light signal, preventing it from escaping even when the cable is bent tightly (e.g., around a corner in a cabinet). This ensures minimal signal loss in dense installation environments.

4. Can I use this single-mode cable with multi-mode equipment?

No. This cable is designed exclusively for single-mode (9/125µm) systems. Using it with multi-mode (50/125µm or 62.5/125µm) equipment or fiber will result in severe signal loss and link failure. The yellow jacket color indicates it is for single-mode use.

5. What is the typical application for a Base-24 MTP® fanout?

A Base-24 MTP® fanout is used to fully utilize a 24-fiber MTP® port. A common scenario is breaking out a 400G port (which might use 16 fibers, 8 Tx/8 Rx) or distributing fibers from a high-density switch port to multiple lower-speed SFP+/SFP28 transceivers, each requiring a duplex LC connection.

6. What is MTP® Elite and why is it important for single-mode fiber?

MTP® Elite is a premium version of the MPO connector from US Conec, manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. This precision is especially critical for single-mode fiber, which has a very small core (9µm), as it ensures precise core-to-core alignment for minimal insertion loss.

7. Is this cable suitable for long-distance connections?

Yes. As a single-mode fiber assembly, it is designed for long-reach applications, capable of transmitting data over many kilometers, far exceeding the distance limitations of multi-mode fiber. The exact distance depends on the transceivers used.

8. How do I order the correct polarity for this cable?

Polarity must match the requirements of your specific hardware and cabling architecture. You will need to consult your equipment vendor’s documentation to determine if you need Polarity A, B, or a custom configuration, and specify this when ordering.