Male MTP® Elite to LC/UPC Fanout | Base-24 | Multi Mode G651.OM4 | 3.0/1.8mm

Overview

The MTP® to LC Breakout Cable is a high-performance fanout assembly designed to bridge high-density backbone cabling with lower-speed equipment ports. It features a single 24-fiber male MTP® Elite connector on one end that breaks out to 24 individual simplex LC UPC connectors. This architecture is essential for modern data center structured cabling, enabling seamless connectivity from high-density MPO/MTP® trunks to standard LC ports on servers, switches, and patch panels.

This 24 fiber OM4 fanout cable is built for superior performance. The use of a genuine MTP® Elite (low loss) connector and OM4 laser-optimized fiber ensures the signal integrity required for high-speed applications. By providing a clean, factory-terminated transition from a multi-fiber array to single-fiber connections, this assembly simplifies deployments, reduces installation time, and provides a reliable, high-density solution for 10G and 25G applications.

Key Features

• High-Density Connectivity: Breaks out one 24-fiber MTP® connector into 24 simplex LC connectors.
• Elite Low Loss Performance: Features a genuine MTP® Elite connector with very low insertion loss, crucial for maintaining link budget in high-speed networks.
• Optimized for High Speeds: Constructed with laser-optimized OM4 multi-mode fiber, ideal for 10G, 25G, and 40/100G breakout applications.
• Simplified Cable Management: Consolidates 24 patch cords into a single assembly, reducing rack congestion and improving airflow.
• Reliable & Pre-Tested: 100% factory terminated and tested to ensure guaranteed performance and reliability upon installation.
• Rugged Construction: Features a durable 3.0mm main cable jacket with robust 1.8mm fanout legs for secure connections.

Applications

The primary application for this MTP® to LC breakout cable is connecting high-port-count MPO/MTP® backbone cabling to active equipment with LC interfaces. It is commonly used in Top-of-Rack (ToR) or Middle-of-Row (MoR) architectures to connect switches with MTP®-24 ports to servers equipped with 10G SFP+ or 25G SFP28 transceivers. It is also an effective solution for connecting MPO/MTP® cassettes directly to legacy equipment, facilitating a smooth migration path to a structured cabling system.

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This MTP® to LC breakout cable is manufactured to meet universal TIA/EIA standards for fiber optic connectivity. It is designed for full compatibility with any networking equipment or passive infrastructure that utilizes standards-compliant MTP®-24 and LC UPC interfaces. This ensures seamless integration with hardware from all major manufacturers, including:

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

Advantages

The key advantage of this 24 fiber OM4 fanout cable is its ability to simplify complex connectivity. Instead of managing 24 separate patch cords, you manage a single, neat assembly, drastically improving rack cleanliness and accessibility. The use of a factory-terminated MTP® Elite connector guarantees a high-performance, low-loss connection that is difficult to achieve with field terminations. This reliability is critical for minimizing downtime and ensuring stable network performance.

Furthermore, this breakout cable provides a cost-effective and scalable method for deploying high-density ports. It allows network managers to fully utilize MTP®-24 ports on modern switches by breaking them out into more common 10G or 25G LC connections. This flexible approach supports gradual upgrades and ensures your physical infrastructure can adapt to evolving network requirements without a complete overhaul.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. What is the main purpose of an MTP® to LC breakout cable?

Its main purpose is to “break out” a high-density, multi-fiber MPO/MTP® connection into multiple individual single-fiber LC connections. This is used to connect a high-speed backbone port (like one on a 24 fiber MPO fanout cable) to several lower-speed device ports.

2. What is the benefit of an MTP® Elite connector?

MTP® Elite connectors are manufactured to much tighter tolerances than standard MPO connectors, resulting in a significantly lower insertion loss (typically ≤0.35dB). This is critical for high-speed networks like 40/100G where the “loss budget” is very tight, ensuring a stronger, more reliable signal.

3. How does this cable help with 40G or 100G migration?

While this specific cable breaks out to 24x 10G/25G links, the MPO/MTP® ecosystem is key to migration. For example, a 100G SR4 signal runs over 8 fibers. This cable allows you to connect a 24-fiber trunk (which could carry three 100G SR4 signals) to 24 individual 10G SFP+ ports, maximizing the use of your backbone fiber.

4. Why is the MTP® connector specified as Male?

MPO/MTP® connectors come in male (with pins) and female (with holes) versions. For direct connection to a transceiver port (like a QSFP+), a male connector is almost always required. When connecting two cables, one must be male and the other female. This connector is male to plug into a female port on a transceiver or a cassette.

5. What makes OM4 fiber suitable for this cable?

OM4 is a laser-optimized multi-mode fiber that supports higher bandwidth and longer distances than its predecessor, OM3. It is the standard for modern data center links, capable of transmitting 10G up to 400 meters and 100G up to 150 meters, making it perfect for this MTP® to LC breakout cable.

6. What does Base-24 mean on an MPO/MTP® connector?

Base-24 refers to an MPO/MTP® connector that contains 24 individual fibers arranged in two rows of 12. This is a higher density option compared to the more common Base-8 and Base-12 connectors and is used for specific high-density switch ports and trunking applications.

7. Why are the fanout legs (1.8mm) thinner than the main cable (3.0mm)?

The main cable jacket (3.0mm) is thicker to provide robust protection for the 24 fibers bundled inside. The cable then splits at a “breakout point” into thinner, more flexible 1.8mm legs. This makes it easier to route the individual LC connectors to different ports on a switch or patch panel without creating cable strain or bulk.

8. What is LC UPC polish?

UPC stands for Ultra Physical Contact. It refers to the end-face geometry of the LC connector ferrule, which is polished to be slightly domed. This ensures direct core-to-core contact between connectors, resulting in very low back reflection. It is the standard polish for most data center and enterprise applications.