What Is OM3 Fiber Patch Cord?
OM3 fiber patch cord (also called OM3 fiber optic jumper or OM3 multimode patch cable) is a pre-terminated fiber optic assembly built on laser-optimized 50/125µm multimode fiber. The "OM3" classification - defined by ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA-492AAAC standards - specifies a minimum modal bandwidth of 2000 MHz·km at 850nm, enabling reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet transmission over distances up to 300 meters.
Unlike legacy OM1/OM2 cables optimized for LED sources, OM3 is engineered specifically for VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) technology, dramatically reducing differential mode delay and achieving the bandwidth density that modern data centers demand.
Key Features
Laser-Optimized OM3 Glass Core: 50/125 µm LOMMF fiber with an effective modal bandwidth (EMB) of 2000 MHz·km at 850 nm - the minimum required standard for guaranteed 10G performance per TIA-492AAAC.
Stainless Steel Armor Tube: Single-armored construction withstands tensile loads of 100–132 lbs. Protects against crush, abrasion, rodent damage, oil, gas, and excessive moisture in industrial and outdoor-conduit installations.
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) Jacket: In fire conditions, the aqua LSZH outer jacket produces minimal toxic smoke - critical for data centers, hospitals, transportation hubs, and any enclosed space with occupancy requirements.
Bend-Insensitive Design: Static minimum bend radius of ≥10D and dynamic ≥20D reduces installation complexity in tight spaces, patch panels, and cable management trays without signal degradation.
Premium Ceramic UPC Ferrule: Pre-polished to IEC 61300-3-4 geometry specifications. The ceramic ferrule maintains consistent end-face contact over thousands of insertion cycles, minimizing return loss variation.
100% Individually Factory Tested: Every cord is measured for insertion loss and return loss before shipping. A test report document is available with each order - verifiable evidence, not a batch certificate.
Applications
The OM3 Armored Patch Cord is engineered for environments where performance and physical durability are non-negotiable:
Data Centers
Cross-connect and interconnect between 10G/40G switches, SFP+ transceivers, QSFP+ modules, patch panels, and server HBAs. Compatible with 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LRM, and 40GBASE-SR4 optics.
Enterprise LAN & Campus Networks
High-density horizontal distribution between floors or buildings where tight cable management and physical protection are required.
SAN & Storage Fabrics
Fibre Channel and iSCSI connections between storage arrays, HBAs, and FC switches in 4G/8G/16G SAN environments.
Industrial & Manufacturing
Factory automation networks, IIoT sensor runs, PLC-to-server links in environments with vibration, rodents, oils, and physical handling risk.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Hospital ICU, surgical suite, and imaging network connections where LSZH fire safety compliance and reliable uptime are regulatory requirements.
Telecom & ISP
Short-haul links inside central offices, PoPs, and remote DSL/GPON aggregation cabinets.
Technical Specifications
|
Connector A |
LC UPC |
Connector B |
SC UPC |
|
Fiber Mode |
50/125μm |
Fiber Type |
Duplex |
|
Cable Diameter |
3.0mm |
Cable Jacket |
Single Armored |
|
Cable Color |
Aqua |
Cable Material |
Stainless steel tube, PVC |
|
Minimum Bend Radius (Dynamic) |
≥20D (mm) |
Minimum Bend Radius (Static) |
≥10D (mm) |
|
Fiber Grade |
Bend Insensitive |
Tensile Loads |
100~132lbs |
|
Insertion Loss |
≤0.3dB |
Return Loss |
≥20dB |
|
Operating Temperature |
-40~75°C |
Storage Temperature |
-45~85°C |
OM3 reach & speed reference - know before you buy
|
Parameter |
OM3 Standard |
Glory Spec |
|
Fiber Type |
Laser-Optimized Multimode (LOMMF) |
50/125µm OM3 LOMMF |
|
Core/Cladding |
50/125 µm |
50/125 µm |
|
Modal Bandwidth (850nm) |
≥2000 MHz·km (OFL) / ≥2000 MHz·km (EMB) |
2000 MHz·km |
|
Wavelength |
850nm / 1300nm |
850nm / 1300nm |
|
Insertion Loss |
≤0.3 dB (IEC standard) |
≤0.3 dB (tested) |
|
Return Loss (UPC) |
≥20 dB |
≥20 dB |
|
Cable Jacket |
LSZH / PVC / OFNR / OFNP |
LSZH / PVC |
|
Jacket Color |
Aqua (IEC 60304 standard) |
Aqua |
|
Cable Diameter |
2.0mm / 3.0mm |
2.0mm / 3.0mm |
|
Connector Type |
LC / SC / ST / FC / MPO |
LC, SC, ST, FC |
|
Polish Type |
UPC / APC |
UPC / APC |
|
Ferrule Material |
Ceramic (Zirconia) |
Ceramic Zirconia |
|
Operating Temp. |
-40°C to +75°C |
-40°C to +75°C |
|
10G Distance |
Up to 300 meters |
Up to 300 meters |
|
40G Distance |
Up to 100 meters (MPO) |
Up to 100 meters |
|
100G Distance |
Up to 30 meters (MPO) |
Up to 30 meters |
|
Tensile Load |
100–132 lbs |
100–132 lbs |
|
Standards |
ISO/IEC 11801, TIA-492AAAC, IEC 61754 |
IEC 61754, RoHS |
Ordering Options
|
Connector A |
Connector B |
Length |
Jacket |
MOQ |
|
LC/UPC |
SC/UPC |
1 m – 25 m |
LSZH or PVC |
1 pc (sample) |
|
LC/UPC |
LC/UPC |
Custom |
LSZH or PVC |
10 pcs |
|
SC/UPC |
SC/UPC |
Custom |
LSZH or PVC |
10 pcs |
|
ST/UPC |
LC/UPC |
Custom |
LSZH or PVC |
10 pcs |
|
Custom (OEM) |
Any |
Any |
Any |
Contact us |
What Sets Our Fiber Patch Cable Apart from Generic Suppliers
Most distributors buy from multiple manufacturers and repackage. GloryOptic manufactures in-house at our Ningbo facility - giving us end-to-end control over fiber selection, ferrule polishing, and final testing. Here is what that means in practice.
Factory-Tested IL Report with Every Cable
Every cable ships with a printed insertion loss and return loss test result tied to its serial number. You get actual measured values - not a blanket spec sheet claim. If a link degrades over time, compare current readings to the baseline and diagnose in minutes rather than hours.
IEC 61300-3-35 End-Face Inspection
Each connector is inspected under a 400× video microscope before packaging. We reject connectors with scratches, contamination, or chips in the core zone - the leading cause of the 15–50% of fiber network problems attributed to dirty connectors.
High-Retention Dust Caps (500+ Insertions)
Every connector is fitted with a rated dust cap before individual packaging. Unlike single-use caps that fall off during transit, our caps maintain a secure fit and can be reused throughout installation and testing without compromising the end face.
Custom Length in 0.1m Increments - No MOQ Rounding
Need 1.7m? You receive 1.7m - not a 2m cable with slack coiled behind a patch panel. Precise lengths improve airflow, reduce cable management time, and eliminate clutter in high-density environments.
GloryOptic vs. Typical Distributor
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum distance for OM3 at 10G?
OM3 supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-SR) at up to 300 meters with laser sources. At 40G (40GBASE-SR4) and 100G (100GBASE-SR4), the supported distance drops to approximately 100 meters when used with MPO multi-fiber connectors. For distances beyond 300 meters at 10G, consider OM4 (550 m) or single-mode fiber.
Q: Can I use an OM3 patch cord with OM4 infrastructure?
Yes - OM3 and OM4 share the same 50 µm core diameter and are physically compatible. However, mixing fiber grades limits your channel performance to the lower-rated OM3 specification. For links pushing distance limits or supporting 25G+ speeds, use consistent OM4 or OM5 throughout the channel.
Q: Why is the jacket aqua colored?
Aqua (cyan) is the internationally recognized color code for OM3 multimode fiber under TIA-568 and ISO/IEC 11801 standards. It allows installers and network engineers to immediately distinguish OM3 cables from orange OM1/OM2 cables and violet OM4 cables - preventing mismatches during installation and troubleshooting.
Q: What does 'armored' mean for a fiber patch cord?
An armored patch cord wraps the standard fiber buffer in a stainless steel interlocked tube before the outer jacket is applied. This significantly increases resistance to crush force, bend stress, rodent damage, and mechanical impact. It is the preferred choice for industrial installations, direct burial in conduit, and any location where exposed cables are at risk of physical damage.
Q: Do I get test data with my order?
Yes. Every GloryOptic OM3 patch cord is individually tested for insertion loss and return loss at our production facility. A test report is included with your shipment. For volume orders (500 pcs+), third-party lab verification is available on request.
Our Quality Promise
Comprehensive 3-Year Warranty
We confidently back all our products with a 3-year warranty. Our specific service policy is: within one year for quality issues, we take full responsibility for returns; within two years, for replacements; and within three years, for repairs.
Clear & Competitive MOQ
We welcome both trial and bulk orders. Our standard Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is 50 units. We also offer free samples for testing to help you evaluate our quality with confidence.
Fast & Reliable Logistics
We guarantee delivery within 10 days for standard items. Our logistics advantage includes cost-effective door-to-door service to simplify shipping for you.
Our Foundation
Backed by 18 years of experience since 2008, we control quality from our own factory, accept OEM/ODM requests, and maintain ready stock for wholesale. We focus on delivering the optimal balance of price and quality directly to end customers worldwide.
Your trust is our priority. Partner with us for dependable fiber optic solutions supported by clear promises.
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