Fiber Optic Pigtail: What Is It And What Are Its Types?

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A fiber optic pigtail is a form of fiber optic cable with a factory-terminated connection on one end and bare fiber on the other end. A fiber optic pigtail like 12 LC Pigtail is commonly used for field termination using a mechanical or fusion splicer. When compared to field-installed quick termination or epoxy and polish connections, pre-terminated optical pigtails with connectors reduce time while delivering better performance and dependability.


The way fiber optic cables are attached to the system is important to the network's performance. Optical signals may pass across a fiber optic network with minimum attenuation and return loss if done correctly. Fiber optic pigtails are a good approach for connecting optical fibers, and they are used in a large percentage of single-mode applications. This article discusses the foundations of fiber optic pigtails, including pigtail connection types, fiber pigtail parameters, and splicing procedures.


Fiber Pigtail Specifications


A fiber optic pigtail is a fiber optic cable having one end terminated with a factory-installed connector ...
... and the other left unterminated. As a consequence, the connector side can be connected to equipment, whilst the other side is fused in the case of fusion splicing or mechanically attached in the case of mechanical splicing optical fiber cables. Fiber-optic pigtails are used to link fiber-optic cables by fusion or mechanical splicing. High-quality pigtail cables, paired with precise fusion splicing processes, yield the best results for fiber optic cable terminations. Fiber optic pigtails are typically found in fiber optic management equipment such as an optical distribution frame (ODF), a fiber terminal box, and a distribution box.


What's the difference between a fiber pigtail and a fiber patch cord?


Only one end of a fiber optic pigtail contains a fiber connector, leaving the other end unconnected. A fiber patch cable has fiber optic connections on both ends. Patch cord fibers are frequently jacketed; however, fiber pigtail cables like 12 LC Pigtail are normally left unjacketed since they are spliced and protected in a fiber splice tray. Furthermore, patch cord fiber can be cut into two pieces to form two bunches. Some installers choose to do this to save the inconvenience of testing pigtail cables in the field; they simply test the performance of a fiber patch cord before cutting it in half to create two fiber pigtails.


Types of Fiber Optic Pigtails


Fiber optic pigtails come in a variety of connection types, including LC, SC, and ST fiber pigtails. Fiber optic pigtails come in two types: single mode and multimode. There are six and twelve fiber optic bunches on the market.


Choosing the Right Fiber Pigtail


When selecting a fiber pigtail, there are various aspects to consider, including:


Compatibility: The pigtail must be compatible with the optical components it will connect to.


Length: The pigtail must have the appropriate length to accommodate the distance between the two optical components.


Connector type: The pigtail like 12 LC Pigtail must have the same connector type as the optical components it will connect to.


Other factors: Other considerations to consider may include the pigtail's performance parameters, such as attenuation and bandwidth.

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