Panduit F91ER3NB1SNM009 OS2 Single-Mode Fiber Patch Cord
The Panduit F91ER3NB1SNM009 delivers OS2 single-mode performance in a riser-rated 9-meter patch cord engineered for vertical backbone runs between distribution frames. This simplex cable terminates SC to LC/APC, combining the robust SC interface commonly found on enterprise switches with the high-density LC/APC connector favored in datacenter and telecom environments. The angled physical contact (APC) polish on the LC end reduces back reflection to -60 dB or better, making this cable suitable for DWDM, high-bitrate transport, and sensitive optical test equipment where return loss matters. Riser (OFNR) jacket meets NEC Article 770 for vertical shaft installations without requiring conduit in plenum spaces.
Key Features
- OS2 9/125µm single-mode fiber rated for 10G/40G/100G over distances up to 10 km
- SC simplex to LC simplex APC connector configuration
- APC polish on LC end: <-60 dB return loss, ideal for analog video, DWDM, and coherent optics
- Riser (OFNR) fire rating per UL 1666 for vertical runs between floors
- 1.6 mm simplex tight-buffered cable in yellow jacket for single-mode identification
- 9-meter (29.52 ft) length for IDF-to-IDF or cross-floor backbone links
- Standard insertion loss: ≤0.3 dB typical, ≤0.5 dB max per connector
- EN 60332-1-2 flame test compliance for international projects
- Panduit Opti-Core sub-brand: factory-terminated, 100% insertion loss and return loss tested
OS2 single-mode fiber supports transmission wavelengths from 1260 nm to 1625 nm (O-band through L-band), making it the universal choice for 10GBASE-LR, 40GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-LR4, and legacy 1G/10G protocols. The 9/125µm core/cladding geometry enables link distances up to 10 km on standard transceivers and 40+ km with extended-reach optics. Single-mode avoids the modal dispersion and bandwidth-distance penalties of OM3/OM4 multimode, so this cable future-proofs backbone infrastructure without requiring fork-lift upgrades when bitrates increase. The SC connector uses a push-pull latch and 2.5 mm ferrule; it's common on access switches, media converters, and older enterprise gear. The LC connector uses a 1.25 mm ferrule in a compact RJ-45-style form factor, dominating high-density switch fabrics and SFP/SFP+ transceivers. The APC polish (8° ferrule angle) creates an air gap that directs reflected light into the cladding rather than back toward the source, critical when deploying DWDM multiplexers, coherent 100G/400G optics, or RF-over-fiber links for antenna remoting and distributed antenna systems. Standard UPC (physical contact) polish reflects ~-50 dB; APC improves this to -60 dB or lower, a 10× reduction in reflected power. You'll see APC spec'd on PON ONTs, CATV transport, and any system where reflected energy can cause bit errors or degrade analog signal quality.
Riser-rated (OFNR) jacket qualifies this cable for vertical pathways between floors in commercial buildings per NEC 770.113(B) and UL 1666 flame propagation limits. Unlike plenum (OFNP) cable, riser does not require costly low-smoke materials, but it still passes vertical flame testing to prevent fire spread through cable shafts. This makes the F91ER3NB1SNM009 the right choice for IDF-to-MDF backbone links in multi-story offices, connecting switch stacks across floors, or feeding IP cameras and access points from telecom rooms below. The 9-meter length (29.52 ft) covers single-floor drops with slack for dressing and future re-termination, plus it fits typical IDF-to-IDF horizontal distances when stacking closets vertically. Simplex (single-fiber) architecture suits unidirectional links—think CWDM add-drop, OTDR test reference cables, or monitoring taps—and saves port density when you're only lighting one direction. For bidirectional 10G/100G Ethernet, you'll typically deploy two simplex cables (TX and RX) or a duplex LC-LC patch cord. Yellow jacket follows TIA-598-C color coding for single-mode fiber (blue designates APC polish in some standards, but Panduit uses yellow body + green LC boot to flag APC on this SKU). The 1.6 mm tight-buffered cable includes aramid yarn strength members and a low-friction riser-rated PVC jacket that pulls cleanly through J-hooks and vertical cable managers without snagging.
Every Opti-Core patch cord leaves Panduit's factory with insertion loss and return loss verified on production test equipment, and the datasheet IL spec (≤0.5 dB max per connector, ≤0.3 dB typical) gives you margin against the 1.5–2.5 dB loss budget on 10GBASE-LR links. EN 60332-1-2 flame testing certifies this cable for European and international deployments where IEC standards govern. When you're stacking Cisco, Juniper, or Arista switches across floors, extending a fiber backbone to a remote building entry point, or connecting a surveillance NVR in the datacenter to an aggregation switch two floors up, the F91ER3NB1SNM009 gives you the precise length, fire rating, and APC return loss to pass inspection and maintain link margin. It's sold in 10-packs (carton quantity) for volume backbone projects.
