LC Fibre Patch Cords Price in Kenya
LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord in Kenya
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Continue shoppingLC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord in Kenya
The LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord is a factory-terminated fibre optic cable designed to connect equipment with an LC duplex interface on one end and an SC duplex interface on the other. It provides a convenient solution for networks where modern LC-based active equipment must connect to SC-based fibre distribution infrastructure without requiring additional adapters or conversion cables.
In multimode applications, this configuration is commonly available using OM3 or OM4 50/125 µm fibre. A current Corning OM4 configuration uses two fibres, LC/UPC Duplex and SC/UPC Duplex connectors, an LSZH jacket, 850/1300 nm operating wavelengths and ceramic ferrules. OM3 versions using 50/125 µm fibre are also commercially available.
The cable is particularly useful for connecting LC-equipped SFP/SFP+ transceivers and network switches to SC fibre patch panels, ODFs and other SC-based infrastructure. At Fiber Optics Kenya, customers can source LC-SC duplex patch cords together with compatible adapters, pigtails, ODFs, patch panels, SFP modules, media converters and fibre testing equipment.
Key Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord |
| Product Category | Fibre Optic Patch Cord |
| Connector A | LC/UPC Duplex |
| Connector B | SC/UPC Duplex |
| Configuration | Duplex |
| Fibre Count | 2 Fibres |
| Common Fibre Mode | Multimode |
| Common Fibre Categories | OM2 / OM3 / OM4 |
| Recommended Modern Options | OM3 / OM4 |
| OM3 / OM4 Core Size | 50 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | 125 µm |
| Connector Polish | UPC |
| Common Wavelengths | 850 nm / 1300 nm |
| Typical OM3 Colour | Aqua |
| Typical OM4 Colour | Aqua / Turquoise / Violet depending on manufacturer |
| Cable Construction | Tight-buffered / Zipcord depending on model |
| Common Jacket Options | LSZH / OFNR / PVC |
| Typical Cable Diameter | 1.6–3.0 mm depending on model |
| Connector Ferrules | Ceramic commonly |
| Installation Environment | Primarily indoor |
| Applications | LAN, data centre, ODF, switch, patch panel, SFP |
| Professional Installation | Available |
| Delivery | Available throughout Kenya |
Corning's current OM4 LC/UPC Duplex-to-SC/UPC Duplex patch-cord specification confirms 50 µm multimode fibre, two-fibre construction, 850/1300 nm operation and LSZH indoor cable options.
What Does LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Mean?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LC | Lucent Connector / small-form-factor fibre connector |
| SC | Subscriber/Standard Connector |
| UPC | Ultra Physical Contact connector polish |
| LC/UPC | LC connector with UPC-polished ferrule |
| SC/UPC | SC connector with UPC-polished ferrule |
| Duplex | Two fibres working as a pair |
| Patch Cord | Factory-terminated fibre interconnection cable |
| Multimode | Fibre designed for multiple propagation modes over shorter distances |
This mixed-connector arrangement eliminates the need to use separate LC-LC and SC-SC patch cords with an additional adapter between them.
LC/UPC Connector Features
The LC connector is especially common on modern switches and optical transceivers because of its compact size.
| LC/UPC Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Small Form Factor | Supports high-density equipment |
| Approx. 1.25 mm Ferrule | Compact optical connection |
| Latch Mechanism | Secure connection |
| Duplex Format | Supports Tx/Rx fibre pairs |
| SFP Compatibility | Excellent |
| SFP+ Compatibility | Excellent |
| SFP28 Compatibility | Common |
| Patch Panel Use | Excellent |
| Data Centre Use | Excellent |
SC/UPC Connector Features
SC connectors are larger than LC connectors but remain widely used on ODFs, patch panels and fibre networking equipment.
| SC/UPC Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Push-Pull Design | Easy connection and removal |
| Approx. 2.5 mm Ferrule | Stable optical alignment |
| Robust Housing | Suitable for frequent handling |
| Duplex Options | Supports two-fibre Ethernet |
| ODF Compatibility | Excellent |
| Patch Panel Compatibility | Excellent |
| Media Converter Use | Very Common |
| Enterprise Networks | Excellent |
LC vs SC Connector Comparison
| Feature | LC | SC |
|---|---|---|
| Connector Size | Small | Larger |
| Ferrule Diameter | Approx. 1.25 mm | Approx. 2.5 mm |
| Connection Method | Latching | Push-Pull |
| Port Density | Very High | Moderate |
| SFP Modules | Very Common | Less common |
| Fibre ODFs | Common | Very Common |
| Patch Panels | Excellent | Excellent |
| Media Converters | Common | Very Common |
| Data Centres | Excellent | Good |
| Enterprise LANs | Excellent | Excellent |
This difference is precisely why an LC-to-SC patch cord is valuable: it connects two widely used but physically different fibre interfaces.
Duplex Fibre Construction
A duplex patch cord contains two optical fibres, typically used as transmit and receive paths.
| Fibre | Typical Role |
|---|---|
| Fibre 1 | Transmit (Tx) |
| Fibre 2 | Receive (Rx) |
| Duplex Characteristic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Two Fibres | Supports conventional bidirectional Ethernet |
| LC Duplex End | Connects LC-based active equipment |
| SC Duplex End | Connects SC-based distribution equipment |
| Factory Terminated | Ready for installation |
| Defined Polarity | Maintains Tx/Rx relationship |
| Compact Installation | Two fibres managed as one assembly |
Corning's LC/UPC Duplex-to-SC/UPC Duplex OM4 assemblies use two fibres and crossed TIA-568 Type-B polarity on the cited configuration.
OM3 and OM4 Multimode Fibre
| Feature | OM3 | OM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Diameter | 50 µm | 50 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | 125 µm | 125 µm |
| Laser Optimized | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Wavelength | 850 nm | 850 nm |
| Secondary Wavelength | 1300 nm | 1300 nm |
| Modal Bandwidth | High | Higher |
| 10 Gigabit Ethernet | Excellent | Excellent |
| High-Speed Short Reach | Excellent | Excellent |
| Enterprise LANs | Excellent | Excellent |
| Data Centres | Excellent | Excellent |
| Upgrade Headroom | High | Higher |
Corning specifies its OM4 LC-SC patch cord at 50/125 µm, 850/1300 nm, with minimum effective modal bandwidth of 4700 MHz·km at 850 nm.
Typical Optical Performance
| Optical Parameter | Typical / Representative Specification |
|---|---|
| Fibre Mode | Multimode |
| Common Grade | OM3 / OM4 |
| Core / Cladding | 50/125 µm |
| Connector A | LC/UPC Duplex |
| Connector B | SC/UPC Duplex |
| Operating Wavelength | 850 / 1300 nm |
| Connector Insertion Loss | Manufacturer dependent |
| Reflectance | Manufacturer dependent |
| 1 Gigabit Ethernet | Supported |
| 10 Gigabit Ethernet | Supported |
| Higher-Speed Ethernet | Depends on fibre grade and optics |
| Typical Installation | Indoor |
For example, one current Corning OM4 LC-SC duplex assembly specifies 0.15 dB maximum insertion loss per connector and reflectance of ≤−40 dB, while another Corning professional series specifies up to 0.5 dB depending on the cable assembly. This is why the exact supplied product datasheet should be checked rather than assuming one universal value.
Typical Mechanical Characteristics
| Parameter | Typical / Representative Description |
|---|---|
| Fibre Count | 2 |
| Cable Construction | Duplex |
| Common Outer Diameter | 1.6–3.0 mm |
| Connector A | LC/UPC Duplex |
| Connector B | SC/UPC Duplex |
| Ferrule Material | Ceramic |
| Jacket Options | LSZH / OFNR / PVC |
| Minimum Bend Radius | Product dependent |
| Tensile Strength | Product dependent |
| Crush Resistance | Product dependent |
| Installation Environment | Indoor |
| Cable Lengths | Multiple options available |
A current Corning professional OM4 model uses a 2 mm tight-buffered LSZH construction, while another EDGE model uses a 1.6 mm LSZH construction.
Common LC/UPC to SC/UPC Patch Cord Lengths
| Length | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| 1m | Closely positioned rack equipment |
| 2m | Short rack connections |
| 3m | General network cabinet routing |
| 5m | Larger cabinets and nearby racks |
| 7m | Wider equipment-room routing |
| 10m | Longer rack-to-rack connections |
| 15m | Large communications rooms |
| 20m | Extended indoor routing |
| 30m+ | Specialized longer connections |
Commercial OM3 LC-SC duplex patch cords are available in numerous lengths from 1m through 100m, depending on supplier.
Key Benefits of LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord
Direct LC-to-SC Connection
The cable eliminates unnecessary adapters when LC equipment must connect to SC fibre infrastructure.
High-Speed Multimode Performance
OM3 and OM4 versions are designed for high-bandwidth optical networking.
Duplex Connectivity
Two fibres provide the transmit and receive paths required by conventional duplex optical Ethernet.
Compact LC Interface
The LC end is particularly suitable for high-density switches and optical transceivers.
Robust SC Interface
The SC end provides straightforward connection to many ODFs, patch panels and media converters.
Factory Terminated
Both connectors are installed and polished during manufacturing, reducing field termination work.
Multiple Length Options
Different cable lengths make it possible to select the appropriate size for each network cabinet or equipment room.
Watch LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord
Watch LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord on YouTube
The LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord provides an efficient way to connect two different fibre connector formats without adding unnecessary adapters. The LC end is particularly useful for compact, high-density network equipment, while the SC end integrates easily with many fibre ODFs, patch panels and media converters. Current professional cable assemblies are available with both OM3 and OM4 50/125 µm multimode fibre.
For modern high-speed networks, OM3 and OM4 multimode fibre provide excellent performance for short- and medium-distance optical links. OM4 offers additional modal bandwidth and can provide greater reach than OM3 for some Ethernet applications. Corning's cited OM4 platform specifies 1 Gigabit Ethernet reach up to 1000 m and 10 Gigabit Ethernet reach up to 550 m under its stated configuration, although actual network reach depends on the transceivers and complete channel design.
The duplex construction makes the patch cord particularly useful for conventional optical Ethernet links that use separate transmit and receive fibres. Fiber Optics Kenya can supply LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cords alongside LC and SC adapters, OM3/OM4 pigtails, fibre ODFs, patch panels, multimode SFP modules, media converters and fibre-testing equipment, making it easier to source the components required for a complete fibre installation.
Applications of LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord
1. SFP Module to SC Fibre Patch Panel
Connect LC duplex multimode transceivers directly to an SC-based patch panel.
2. Network Switch to ODF
Ideal where the switch uses LC optical modules while the ODF uses SC adapters.
3. Data Centre Networks
Connect mixed LC and SC infrastructure within network cabinets and equipment rooms.
4. Enterprise LAN Networks
Provide reliable fibre interconnections between switches, patch panels and distribution equipment.
5. Media Converters
Connect SC-based media converters to LC-equipped fibre devices.
6. Server Rooms
Useful for short, high-speed optical connections between equipment and fibre distribution systems.
7. CCTV Fibre Networks
Connect compatible optical CCTV equipment with different SC and LC interfaces.
8. Schools and Universities
Suitable for campus ICT rooms and fibre backbone termination points.
9. Hospitals
Support high-bandwidth internal fibre networks connecting communications equipment.
10. Commercial and Industrial Networks
Useful where fibre is preferred for bandwidth, distance and resistance to electromagnetic interference.
LC-SC vs LC-LC Duplex Patch Cord
| Feature | LC-SC | LC-LC |
|---|---|---|
| Connector A | LC | LC |
| Connector B | SC | LC |
| LC SFP to SC ODF | Excellent | Requires SC conversion |
| LC SFP to LC Patch Panel | No | Excellent |
| Mixed Connector Network | Excellent | No |
| High-Density Active Equipment | Excellent on LC end | Excellent |
| Best Application | LC-to-SC infrastructure | LC-to-LC infrastructure |
LC-SC vs SC-SC Duplex Patch Cord
| Feature | LC-SC | SC-SC |
|---|---|---|
| First Connector | LC | SC |
| Second Connector | SC | SC |
| LC SFP Connection | Direct | Requires another interface |
| SC ODF Connection | Direct | Direct |
| SC-to-SC Equipment | Not required | Excellent |
| Mixed LC/SC Networks | Excellent | Less suitable |
Multimode vs Single-Mode LC-SC Patch Cord
| Feature | Multimode LC-SC | Single-Mode LC-SC |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Core Size | 50 µm | Approx. 9 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | 125 µm | 125 µm |
| Common Wavelengths | 850 / 1300 nm | 1310 / 1550 nm |
| Short-Distance High Speed | Excellent | Excellent |
| Long-Distance Networks | More limited | Excellent |
| Multimode Transceivers | Compatible | No |
| Single-Mode Transceivers | No | Compatible |
| Typical OM3/OM4 Jacket | Aqua / Turquoise | Yellow commonly |
The patch cord must match the fibre mode of both the transceiver and permanent fibre link.
LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord Network Example
| Network Component | Interface |
|---|---|
| Network Switch | SFP/SFP+ Slot |
| Multimode SFP/SFP+ | LC Duplex |
| Patch Cord End A | LC/UPC Duplex |
| Patch Cord End B | SC/UPC Duplex |
| SC Fibre Adapter | SC Duplex |
| Fibre Patch Panel / ODF | SC |
| Permanent Fibre Link | OM3 / OM4 Multimode |
This configuration provides a straightforward way of integrating LC-based active networking equipment with SC-based fibre distribution infrastructure.
Recommended Accessories
| Accessory | Purpose |
|---|---|
| LC Duplex Adapter | Joins compatible LC connectors |
| SC Duplex Adapter | Joins compatible SC connectors |
| LC OM3/OM4 Pigtail | LC fibre termination |
| SC OM3/OM4 Pigtail | SC fibre termination |
| Fibre ODF | Organizes fibre terminations |
| Fibre Patch Panel | Provides rack-mounted distribution |
| Multimode SFP Module | Provides optical switch connectivity |
| SFP+ SR Module | Provides 10GbE multimode connectivity |
| Media Converter | Converts copper Ethernet to fibre |
| Fibre Splice Tray | Organizes fusion splices |
| Fibre Connector Cleaner | Cleans LC and SC end faces |
| Optical Power Meter | Measures optical power |
| Visual Fault Locator | Helps locate fibre faults |
Why Buy LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord from Fiber Optics Kenya?
Choosing the correct fibre patch cord requires matching the connector format, fibre mode, fibre category, cable length and optical transceivers.
| Why Choose Fiber Optics Kenya? | Customer Benefit |
|---|---|
| LC-SC Duplex Patch Cords | Direct mixed-interface connectivity |
| OM3 / OM4 Options | Suitable for modern high-speed networks |
| Multiple Lengths | Match different installation requirements |
| SC & LC Accessories | Source compatible components together |
| SFP/SFP+ Modules | Build complete optical connections |
| ODFs & Patch Panels | Complete fibre-distribution solutions |
| Media Converters | Compatible networking equipment available |
| Technical Guidance | Help selecting correct fibre specifications |
| Bulk Supply | Suitable for installers and large projects |
| Competitive Pricing | Cost-effective fibre procurement |
| Professional Installation | Fibre installation support available |
| Nationwide Delivery | Products supplied throughout Kenya |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord?
It is a two-fibre patch cable with LC/UPC duplex connectors on one end and SC/UPC duplex connectors on the other, designed to connect equipment using different fibre interfaces.
What does UPC mean?
UPC means Ultra Physical Contact, describing the polished connector end face.
What does duplex mean?
Duplex means the cable contains two fibres, typically used for separate transmit and receive channels.
Is LC/UPC to SC/UPC available in multimode?
Yes. Both OM3 and OM4 multimode LC-SC duplex configurations are commercially available.
What fibre size does OM3 use?
OM3 uses 50/125 µm multimode fibre.
What fibre size does OM4 use?
OM4 also uses 50/125 µm fibre.
What wavelengths are used?
OM3 and OM4 multimode fibre commonly operate at 850 nm and 1300 nm.
What colour is an OM3 patch cord?
OM3 patch cords are commonly aqua.
Is OM4 better than OM3?
OM4 provides greater modal bandwidth and can offer additional reach and performance headroom for certain high-speed multimode applications.
Can this cable connect an SFP module to an SC patch panel?
Yes. This is one of the most common applications, provided the SFP uses compatible LC multimode optics.
Can it connect a switch to an SC ODF?
Yes. An LC-equipped optical transceiver can connect through the LC end while the SC end connects to the ODF.
Can it support 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
Yes. OM3 and OM4 can support 10GbE when paired with appropriate multimode transceivers. Corning specifies up to 550 m for serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet on its cited OM4 fibre platform.
Can it support 1 Gigabit Ethernet?
Yes. OM3 and OM4 are suitable for Gigabit Ethernet with compatible optics.
Can I use it with single-mode SFP modules?
Not if the patch cord is multimode. Use a single-mode LC-SC patch cord for compatible single-mode optics.
Can I connect UPC directly to APC?
No. UPC and APC connector end-face geometries should not be directly mated.
Are different cable lengths available?
Yes. LC-SC duplex patch cords are commercially available in numerous lengths. One current OM3 range offers options from 1m to 100m.
Is the cable suitable for data centres?
Yes. Corning specifically lists data centres among the applications for its LC/UPC Duplex-to-SC/UPC Duplex OM4 patch cord.
Can I use it for CCTV fibre networks?
Yes, provided the CCTV fibre equipment uses compatible multimode LC and SC interfaces.
Do you supply LC and SC adapters?
Yes. Fiber Optics Kenya can supply compatible LC and SC adapters and fibre termination accessories.
Do you supply SFP and SFP+ modules?
Yes. Compatible multimode transceivers can be supplied according to network speed and distance requirements.
Do you provide fibre installation and testing?
Yes. Professional fibre installation, termination and testing support is available.
Do you deliver outside Nairobi?
Yes. Fiber Optics Kenya supplies fibre optic products and networking accessories throughout Kenya.
Contact Fiber Optics Kenya
Fiber Optics Kenya
Lyric House
7th Floor, Room S9
Kimathi Street
Nairobi
Phone: +254 704 991 492
Email: info@fibreopticskenya.co.ke
The LC/UPC to SC/UPC Duplex Patch Cord provides a practical and reliable connection between LC-equipped network devices and SC-based fibre infrastructure.
Contact Fiber Optics Kenya for competitive pricing, OM3 and OM4 options, different cable lengths, compatible accessories, bulk orders and nationwide delivery across Kenya.