A fiber optic patch cord with an empty tube refers to a cable design where the optical fiber is housed inside a protective tube, often for mechanical protection and ease of installation.

Overview

In fiber optic patch cords, the empty tube serves as a protective conduit for the optical fiber. This tube can be made of materials like PVC, LSZH, or stainless steel, and it may be filled with gel or left empty depending on the design. The primary purpose is to shield the fiber from mechanical stress, bending, and environmental factors while maintaining flexibility for network connections .

Construction Types

• Tight-Buffered Fibers: Each fiber is coated with a primary and secondary buffer, sometimes housed in an individual tube. This design allows for easier handling and termination in patch panels .
• Breakout Patch Cords: These cords contain multiple fibers, each in its own tube, bundled together under a common outer jacket. The empty tube in this context provides mechanical separation and reduces the risk of fiber damage during installation .
• Armored Patch Cords: Some patch cords feature fibers inside a stainless-steel or reinforced tube for high durability in harsh environments. The tube may be empty or filled with protective gel to prevent microbending and physical damage .

Applications

• LAN and Data Centers: Empty tube patch cords are used to connect devices in racks or between racks, providing flexibility and protection for high-density fiber networks .
• FTTx Networks: In fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-building deployments, empty tube designs help protect fibers during installation and maintenance .
• Testing and Measurement: Launch cables or test cords often use empty tubes to house fibers for OTDR testing, minimizing signal loss and protecting the fiber during repeated handling .

Advantages

• Mechanical Protection: Reduces the risk of fiber breakage or microbending.
• Ease of Handling: Simplifies installation and termination.
• Flexibility: Supports various connector types (LC, SC, ST, MTP/MPO) and fiber types (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OS1, OS2) without compromising performance .
• Customizable: Can be tailored for single-mode or multi-mode applications, with optional armored or gel-filled tubes for specific environments . In summary, the empty tube in a fiber optic patch cord is a protective feature that houses the optical fiber, enhancing durability, flexibility, and performance in both indoor and outdoor fiber optic networks. It is commonly found in breakout, armored, and launch patch cords used across LANs, data centers, and FTTx deployments .