Panduit FW2ELQ1Q1NNM036 36m LC Duplex Plenum Fiber Cable

Panduit FW2ELQ1Q1NNM036 Multi-Mode Fiber Patch Cable

The Panduit FW2ELQ1Q1NNM036 is a 36-meter duplex multi-mode fiber optic patch cable engineered for high-bandwidth backbone runs in commercial security, datacenter, and AV-over-IP deployments. Built with LC duplex connectors on both ends and method-B polarity (Q1-to-Q1 configuration), this cable delivers reliable 10GBASE-SR, 40GBASE-SR4, and 100GBASE-SR10 transmission over OM3/OM4 fiber infrastructure. The 36-meter length bridges mid-range floor-to-floor risers, cross-aisle datacenter patches, and campus backbone segments where pre-terminated assemblies eliminate field termination labor and ensure consistent insertion loss performance. Panduit’s factory-polished connectors deliver ≤0.3 dB insertion loss and ≥20 dB return loss, tested to TIA/EIA-568 standards before shipment. The plenum-rated OFNP jacket meets NEC Article 770 requirements for air-handling spaces without conduit, simplifying code-compliant installs in drop ceilings and raised-floor plenums common to IP camera networks and converged infrastructure.

Key Features

• 36-meter duplex LC-to-LC assembly spans mid-range backbone and cross-connect applications
• Method-B polarity (Q1-to-Q1) ensures straight-through transmission in structured cabling systems
• Plenum-rated OFNP jacket for NEC-compliant installation in air-handling spaces
• Factory-terminated connectors deliver ≤0.3 dB insertion loss, ≥20 dB return loss
• 50/125 µm multi-mode fiber supports 10G/40G/100G Ethernet over OM3/OM4 infrastructure
• Aqua-colored jacket for instant visual identification of multi-mode fiber runs
• Ceramic ferrules with zirconia sleeves ensure repeatable low-loss connections through 500+ mating cycles
• Pull-proof strain relief boots protect fiber at connector interface under cable-management tension

This cable addresses the most common failure point in fiber networks: inconsistent field terminations. Integrators installing IP camera networks with fiber uplinks, AV teams deploying 10G video-over-IP matrices, and datacenter techs running storage-area-network backbones all face the same challenge—field-terminated connectors introduce variable insertion loss, back-reflection, and failure points that degrade link budgets and trigger intermittent packet loss. The FW2ELQ1Q1NNM036 eliminates that variability. Panduit factory-terminates both ends in a controlled environment with automated polishing and 100% optical testing, then ships each assembly with a test report showing actual insertion loss and return loss values. You get guaranteed performance without the labor cost, consumables inventory, or certification requirements of field termination. The 36-meter length hits the sweet spot for vertical risers in 2–4 story buildings, cross-aisle patches in datacenter hot-aisle/cold-aisle layouts, and campus backbone segments connecting building-entrance facilities to intermediate distribution frames.

The Q1-to-Q1 polarity configuration implements method-B polarity per TIA-568, meaning transmit on one end connects to receive on the far end through a straight-through duplex cable. This is the dominant polarity scheme in enterprise structured cabling and ensures plug-and-play compatibility with switches, media converters, and fiber patch panels following the same standard. The LC duplex connector format delivers twice the port density of SC connectors in the same panel space—critical when you’re populating 48-port fiber patch panels in crowded server racks or wall-mount enclosures in security equipment rooms. The push-pull latch mechanism allows one-handed insertion and removal in tight spaces, and the small form factor fits through 1-inch conduit alongside Cat6A copper bundles when running hybrid backbone infrastructure. Each connector features a ceramic ferrule with a zirconia alignment sleeve, the industry-standard combination that maintains core-to-core alignment through 500+ mating cycles without degradation. Cheaper plastic ferrules wear out after 50–100 insertions and introduce micro-bending losses that kill 10G links; ceramic ferrules are mandatory for production networks where technicians regularly swap cables during troubleshooting and maintenance.

The plenum-rated OFNP jacket is built with low-smoke, flame-retardant compounds that meet NFPA 262 and UL 910 flammability requirements, allowing installation in air-return plenums without metal conduit. This matters in commercial security projects where fiber uplinks run from IDF closets to rooftop camera enclosures through drop-ceiling plenums, and in datacenter retrofits where under-floor cable trays double as HVAC return paths. The jacket is dual-layer: an inner buffer tube isolates the fiber from mechanical stress, and an outer plenum-rated sheath provides abrasion resistance and flame retardancy. The aqua color (Pantone 3125C equivalent) is the universal visual identifier for multi-mode fiber in structured cabling, preventing accidental cross-connection with yellow single-mode or other cable types during adds/moves/changes. Panduit prints the part number, length, and polarity marking on the jacket at 2-foot intervals, so you can identify cables in bundled runs without tracing both ends. The strain-relief boots are pull-tested to 20 pounds and include a retention clip that locks into LC patch panels, preventing accidental disconnects when adjacent cables are moved—a common failure mode in densely populated panels where cable-management fingers put lateral tension on connectors.

Multi-mode fiber is the correct choice for distances under 300 meters where 10G+ speeds are required. The 50/125 µm core supports 10GBASE-SR (300m on OM3, 400m on OM4), 40GBASE-SR4 (100m on OM3, 150m on OM4), and 100GBASE-SR10 (100m on OM3, 150m on OM4), covering the vast majority of building-backbone and datacenter-interconnect applications. Single-mode fiber costs more, requires more expensive transceivers, and delivers distance capabilities (10km+) that exceed building-scale requirements. This 36-meter cable fits backbone runs connecting security-equipment rooms to telecom closets in multi-story office buildings, cross-aisle patches in datacenter row architectures, and AV-over-IP trunk links in convention centers and performance venues. The duplex configuration is the standard for bidirectional Ethernet and Fibre Channel links; each fiber carries one direction of traffic (transmit on fiber A, receive on fiber B). For applications requiring more than 10G over a single cable, consider 40G/100G transceivers with MPO/MTP connectors, but LC duplex remains the dominant format for 1G/10G aggregation switches and edge uplinks in security and enterprise IT networks.

Panduit includes a protective dust cap on each connector end to prevent contamination during storage and handling. Fiber end-face contamination is the #1 cause of elevated insertion loss and link failures in the field—a single fingerprint or dust particle on the ferrule end-face creates a 1–3 dB loss spike that can drop a 10G link to 1G or kill it entirely. Always inspect end-faces with a fiber microscope before first insertion, clean with lint-free wipes and isopropyl alcohol if contamination is visible, and re-cap connectors immediately after disconnection. The FW2ELQ1Q1NNM036 ships in a protective bag with individual cable ties to prevent tangling in bulk shipments. For projects requiring multiple cables, order in increments matching your patch-panel port count to minimize surplus inventory. Panduit offers this same cable assembly in lengths from 1 meter to 100 meters in 1-meter increments, allowing precise length matching to minimize cable-management slack and reduce pathway congestion. The 36-meter length is field-tested for commercial installs and ships with Panduit’s standard warranty covering materials and workmanship—factory terminations are guaranteed against polishing defects, ferrule damage, and connector retention failures under normal use.