Hubbell DFPCSNLCS3SM Plenum-Rated OM2 Multimode LC Duplex Fiber Patch Cord

Overview

The Hubbell DFPCSNLCS3SM is a 3-meter OM2 multimode duplex fiber patch cord terminated with LC connectors on both ends and jacketed for plenum-rated (CMP) air-handling environments. If you are wiring fiber runs through ceiling plenums, return-air ducts, or raised-floor air-handling spaces in commercial buildings, the CMP jacket is not optional — it is a code requirement in most jurisdictions, and this cord meets it. Browse the full Hubbell structured cabling line for compatible panels, adapters, and housings.

The LC connector format is the dominant choice in today's fiber optic patch cable deployments: the small form factor fits high-density panels without the port-crowding problems of SC connectors, and the ceramic ferrule construction common to LC terminations delivers consistent insertion loss across connections. At 3 meters, this cord is sized for rack-to-panel patching, head-end interconnects, and equipment room cross-connects where you need enough slack to dress the cable cleanly without excess coiling.

OM2 multimode fiber supports 1 Gigabit Ethernet to 550 meters and 10 Gigabit Ethernet to 82 meters — adequate for in-room and short inter-rack runs, though if you are planning 10GbE backbone runs beyond a single equipment room, evaluate OM3 or OM4 instead. The yellow jacket color on this cord follows Hubbell's color-coding convention for this product line, aiding visual identification at the panel during moves, adds, and changes. Pair this cord with a fiber optic patch panel for a clean, code-compliant termination point in your equipment room.

Key Features

• Plenum (CMP) Jacket Rating: Meets the fire-retardancy requirements for installation in air-handling ceiling and floor spaces under NEC Article 770. Running non-plenum cable in a plenum space is a code violation that will fail inspection — this jacket eliminates that risk without requiring conduit.
• OM2 Multimode Fiber: Supports 1GbE to 550m and 10GbE to 82m over multimode glass. The right choice for in-building horizontal runs and equipment room interconnects on legacy or budget-conscious installations; not the right choice if you're planning 10GbE backbone links longer than 80 meters — step up to OM3 or OM4 for those.
• LC Duplex Connectors: LC's 1.25mm ferrule occupies roughly half the panel space of SC, letting you double port density at the patch panel. Duplex construction handles both transmit and receive on a single keyed plug, reducing misconnection risk during patching. Compatible with any LC-port SFP, switch, or panel adapter.
• 3-Meter Length: Sized for equipment-room and rack-to-panel patching scenarios where you need enough slack for clean cable management without the bulge of excess cord. For longer horizontal runs or inter-rack distances, evaluate 5m or 10m variants from the same Hubbell family.
• Yellow Jacket Color: Visual color-coding at the panel speeds identification during MACs (moves, adds, changes) and troubleshooting. Consistent color conventions across a structured cabling installation reduce mislabeling errors during maintenance.
• Duplex Configuration: Both fiber strands in a single jacketed assembly — transmit and receive together — simplifies installation and routing compared to managing two separate simplex cords. The keyed LC duplex boot also prevents polarity reversal at connection.

Integration and Compatibility

The DFPCSNLCS3SM terminates in standard LC duplex connectors compatible with any LC-port SFP transceiver (including 1G SX, 1G LX, 10G SR), LC patch panel adapters, and LC-type fiber enclosures from Hubbell, Panduit, CommScope, Corning, and other major structured cabling manufacturers. OM2 multimode glass is backward-compatible with 100BASE-FX and 1000BASE-SX applications. For network switches and NVRs using SFP uplink ports in equipment rooms, this cord provides a code-compliant, properly-rated interconnect path between the transceiver and the patch panel. Verify that your SFP modules are specified for OM2 (850nm VCSEL sources) — OM2 is not appropriate for single-mode transceivers.

If your building standard calls for OM3 or OM4 glass (aqua jacket, higher bandwidth), this OM2 cord is not a drop-in substitute for those installations. Confirm your site fiber standard before ordering. For guidance on selecting the right fiber grade for your deployment, see the fiber optic cable buying guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the plenum (CMP) rating on the DFPCSNLCS3SM mean, and do I need it?

A: The CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) rating means the jacket meets NEC Article 770 fire-retardancy requirements for installation in air-handling spaces — dropped ceilings used as return-air plenums, raised floor systems with airflow, and similar environments. If your cable path passes through any air-handling space, CMP is typically required by code. If the entire run is in conduit or a non-plenum space, a riser (CMR) or general-use jacket may suffice, but plenum-rated cable is always acceptable as an upgrade.

Q: What fiber types and speeds does OM2 multimode support?

A: OM2 multimode fiber supports 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-SX) to 550 meters and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-SR) to 82 meters at 850nm. It also supports 100BASE-FX and legacy multimode applications. For 10GbE runs longer than 82 meters, or new installations being designed for 25GbE and above, OM3 or OM4 fiber provides substantially better distance performance.

Q: Are LC and SC connectors interchangeable at the patch panel?

A: No — LC and SC are physically incompatible connector formats. LC uses a 1.25mm ferrule and a latch-style coupling; SC uses a 2.5mm ferrule and push-pull coupling. You need LC adapters or LC-port panels to use this cord. Most modern SFP transceivers and high-density panels use LC; SC is more common in legacy installations.

Q: Can I use the DFPCSNLCS3SM with single-mode SFP transceivers?

A: No. OM2 multimode fiber is designed for short-wavelength (850nm VCSEL) multimode transceivers. Single-mode SFPs operate at 1310nm or 1550nm and require single-mode (OS1/OS2) fiber. Using multimode fiber with single-mode transceivers results in severe signal loss and will not produce a working link.

Q: Is 3 meters the right length for rack-to-panel patching?

A: For most in-rack or adjacent-rack cross-connect scenarios, 3 meters provides adequate slack for clean cable management with a standard 1-2U patch panel. For switch-to-panel runs across a row of racks or between equipment rooms, evaluate 5m or 10m cords. Measure your actual routing path before ordering — excess cord creates cable management problems in high-density environments.

Karl Wilson

The spec that matters most on the DFPCSNLCS3SM is the plenum jacket — not because it makes the fiber perform better, but because installing a non-plenum cord in an air-handling ceiling space is a code violation that will fail inspection and, in a fire scenario, can produce toxic smoke in an occupied HVAC zone. If the routing path hits a plenum space at any point, CMP-rated cable like this one is what you install. The OM2 glass and LC terminations are well-suited to 1GbE interconnects in equipment rooms and MDF/IDF cross-connects.

Technical Highlights:

• CMP Plenum Jacket: Complies with NEC Article 770 for air-handling space installations — eliminates the need for conduit in plenum ceiling runs while keeping the installation code-compliant.
• LC Duplex Termination: 1.25mm ceramic ferrule on both ends; duplex keyed boot prevents polarity reversal; LC port density is roughly double that of SC on the same panel face plate.
• OM2 Multimode Glass: 550m at 1GbE, 82m at 10GbE — appropriate for equipment room and in-building horizontal segments; not for inter-building or long-haul 10GbE backbone.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm every SFP in the link is specified for OM2 multimode (850nm VCSEL) — mixing single-mode transceivers with this OM2 cord will not produce a working link regardless of connector fit.
• 3 meters is the right call for rack-adjacent patching; for runs spanning multiple racks or cross the room, measure the actual cable path before committing — ordering short means re-pulling the cord entirely.

This cord is the right choice for equipment room and MDF/IDF fiber cross-connects in commercial buildings where the ceiling path is a return-air plenum and 1GbE multimode is the current site standard.