Panduit FS2EPKBKBNBM007 Opti-Core 2-Fiber OM4+ Keyed Duplex LC Patch Cord
The Panduit FS2EPKBKBNBM007 is a 7-meter (23 ft) duplex fiber optic patch cord engineered for high-security data center and enterprise backbone deployments. Built with OM4+ Signature Core fiber and Code B keyed LC connectors on both ends, this plenum-rated cord delivers ultra-low insertion loss while adding a physical layer of access control that pairs only with matching keyed components. The red zipcord jacket and red connector boots provide instant visual identification in dense rack environments, and the OFNP plenum rating qualifies it for installation in air-handling spaces without conduit.
Key Features
- Code B keyed duplex LC connectors on both ends prevent unauthorized or accidental mating with non-matching components
- OM4+ Signature Core fiber supports 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet at extended distances beyond standard OM4 specs
- Plenum-rated (OFNP) for installation in return-air plenums and other air-handling spaces per NEC requirements
- Ultra-low insertion loss specification ensures maximum link budget and signal integrity
- 7-meter length ideal for rack-to-rack connections, cross-connects, and horizontal distribution
- 1.6 mm zipcord cable jacket offers flexibility and easy routing in cable management systems
- Red jacket and connector boots simplify circuit tracing and polarity management
- RoHS compliant for environmentally responsible installations
Panduit's Opti-Core keyed connector system addresses a persistent challenge in mission-critical fiber networks: preventing cross-connections between incompatible systems or unauthorized access to sensitive network segments. The Code B key pattern—one of several available codes in the Panduit system—physically blocks mating with standard LC or other keyed codes, creating an install-level security boundary without requiring special tools or training. In environments where multiple tenants share infrastructure, or where classified and unclassified networks occupy the same space, keyed connectors enforce separation policy at the physical layer. The visual differentiation provided by the red jacket and boots reinforces this separation during maintenance and adds a troubleshooting advantage in crowded patch panels.
OM4+ Signature Core fiber extends the performance envelope beyond the 550-meter 40/100GbE reach of standard OM4 multimode fiber. While OM4 is specified to IEEE 802.3ba for 40GBASE-SR4 and 100GBASE-SR10 at 150 meters over parallel optics, Panduit's OM4+ Signature Core consistently exceeds these minimums through tighter manufacturing tolerances on core geometry and modal bandwidth. This margin supports future rate increases, accommodates aging infrastructure, and provides headroom when designing links that approach channel limits. For integrators planning 40 GbE spine-leaf fabrics or 100 GbE storage-area networks, OM4+ reduces the risk of marginal links that pass acceptance testing but fail under thermal stress or after connector re-mates.
The OFNP plenum rating qualifies this cord for installation in spaces used for environmental air circulation—above drop ceilings, below raised floors, and in HVAC return ducts—without the need for metallic conduit. Plenum-rated cable jackets are formulated to resist flame spread and limit smoke generation in the event of fire, meeting the stringent UL 910 Steiner Tunnel test required by the National Electrical Code Article 770. Because most commercial data center and enterprise hot-aisle containment systems route cabling through plenum spaces, specifying OFNP-rated patch cords ensures code compliance and eliminates retrofit costs. The 1.6 mm zipcord construction—two fibers in a figure-eight jacket profile—offers the bend performance needed for high-density cable management while maintaining the bend-radius protection that prevents macro-bend attenuation.
The 7-meter (22.97 ft) length is well-suited to rack-to-rack interconnects in rows up to 20 feet apart, cross-connect fields in telecom rooms, and horizontal distribution from floor-mounted ODF cabinets to overhead cable trays. This length minimizes excess cable coiling in pathways while providing enough slack for service loops and future re-terminations. The duplex LC form factor—two simplex connectors latched together in a duplex clip—is the dominant interface for 10/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet transceivers, Fibre Channel SFP+/QSFP+ optics, and enterprise SAN switches. LC's small footprint enables higher port density than SC or ST legacy connectors, and the push-pull latch mechanism simplifies insertion and extraction in zero-U horizontal managers where finger access is limited.
This patch cord meets the RoHS Directive for restriction of hazardous substances, supporting green building certifications and corporate sustainability mandates. Panduit's Opti-Core product line is backed by comprehensive application engineering resources, including link-loss budgeting tools, polarity documentation, and keyed-connector cross-reference guides. For installations requiring physical-layer security, 40/100 Gigabit readiness, and plenum compliance in a single tested assembly, the FS2EPKBKBNBM007 delivers a field-proven solution from a Tier 1 structured cabling manufacturer.
