MTP® Elite Male-Male Patch Cord | Base-24 | Single Mode G657.A2 | 3.0mm

Overview

This is a Base-24 Male-to-Male Single Mode MPO/MTP® Trunk Cable designed for high-density, long-distance interconnects. It is terminated with pinned (Male) MTP® Elite connectors on both ends, making it ideal for directly linking two pieces of equipment with Female MPO/MTP® ports. This cable is perfect for creating high-bandwidth backbone links between switches, routers, or transport equipment in data centers and telecommunication networks.

Engineered with G.657.A2 bend-insensitive single mode fiber, this cable offers exceptional performance and durability, even when routed through tight spaces and crowded pathways. The 24-fiber configuration consolidates what would typically require 12 separate duplex cables into a single, slim 3.0mm jacket. This significantly simplifies cable management and improves airflow in high-density environments.

Key Features

• Terminated with two Male (pinned) MTP® Elite connectors for ultra-low insertion loss.
• Features a high-density Base-24 fiber configuration.
• Constructed with premium G.657.A2 bend-insensitive single mode fiber (9/125µm).
• Ideal for direct equipment-to-equipment connections over extended distances.
• Yellow jacket (OFNP/LSZH) clearly identifies it as a single mode fiber cable.
• Compact 3.0mm cable diameter for simplified installation and cable management.
• Factory-terminated and 100% tested to ensure performance for long-reach applications.

Applications

The primary use for a Male-to-Male single mode MPO/MTP® cable is to establish a direct, high-density link between two active devices over long distances. It is commonly used for switch-to-switch interconnects in large data centers or as a trunk line between buildings. This cable can also serve as a backbone that is later broken out into 12 individual duplex LC channels to support various 10G, 25G, 40G, or 100G single mode applications (e.g., 100G-LR4).

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This cable’s Male MTP® connectors are made to plug directly into Female MPO/MTP® ports on line cards, high-density adapter panels, or specialized transceivers. It is vital to ensure that you do not attempt to mate two Male connectors together. For successful communication, the polarity of the entire channel must be correctly configured, typically using a Type B (crossover) cable for direct device-to-device links.

Advantages

The foremost advantage of this cable is the combination of density and distance. It delivers 24 fibers in one compact cable for long-reach connectivity where multimode fiber cannot perform. The G.657.A2 fiber provides superior bend resilience, reducing the risk of signal degradation or damage during installation in tight corners or full racks, which is a common issue with standard single mode fiber.

Using MTP® Elite connectors is especially important for single mode applications, as their extremely low insertion loss helps preserve the tight loss budgets associated with long-distance links. This ensures maximum signal integrity and reliable performance for mission-critical network backbones.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. What is the primary use for a Male-to-Male single mode MPO/MTP® cable?

It is used for high-density, long-distance direct connections between network equipment, such as linking core switches or routers in a data center or telecom environment. It provides a simple, high-bandwidth point-to-point link.

2. What is the main benefit of G.657.A2 single mode fiber?

G.657.A2 is a “bend-insensitive” fiber. It can be bent and routed in much tighter radiuses than traditional single mode fiber (like G.652.D) with minimal signal loss, making it perfect for high-density installations.

3. Can I use this cable for a 100G-SR10 application?

No. 100G-SR10 is a multimode standard. This is a single mode cable intended for long-reach single mode applications. You must match the fiber type of the cable to the fiber type of your transceivers and equipment.

4. Why are MTP® Elite connectors important for single mode?

Single mode systems, especially over long distances, have very strict power budgets. The ultra-low insertion loss of MTP® Elite connectors (≤0.25dB) is critical for minimizing signal degradation across connection points and ensuring the link performs reliably.

5. What is the difference between this cable and the Base-24 OM4 version?

The key difference is the fiber type. This cable uses single mode fiber for long-distance applications (kilometers), while an OM4 cable uses multimode fiber for short-distance applications (up to ~150 meters for 100G).

6. Can I break this cable out into 12 duplex LC connections?

Yes. This Base-24 cable can serve as a trunk that connects to a 24-fiber MPO/MTP® to 12x Duplex LC breakout cassette or harness. This allows you to provision 12 separate single mode circuits from a single trunk cable.

7. What polarity do I need for a direct switch-to-switch connection?

For a direct connection between two devices, you typically need a Type B (crossover) polarity MPO/MTP® cable. This ensures the transmit fibers at one end are mapped to the receive fibers at the other end.

8. What does “pinned” mean for an MPO/MTP® connector?

A “pinned” connector is a Male connector. It has two metal guide pins that are essential for precise alignment when plugging into a Female (unpinned) port. A connection is always made between one Male and one Female connector.