Multimode fiber optic patch cord colors

Multimode fiber optic patch cords are color-coded by type: OM1 and OM2 are orange, OM3 is aqua, OM4 is violet, and OM5 is lime green.

Standard Color Coding

Multimode fiber patch cords use distinct jacket colors to indicate fiber type, which helps technicians quickly identify the correct cable for a network application:

• OM1 (62.5/125 µm): Orange jacket, typically used with LED light sources for short-distance 100 Megabit Ethernet applications .
• OM2 (50/125 µm): Orange jacket, supports up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet at shorter distances, also LED-based .
• OM3 (50/125 µm, laser-optimized): Aqua jacket, designed for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and higher-speed laser-based equipment .
• OM4 (50/125 µm, enhanced laser-optimized): Violet or sometimes aqua jacket, backward compatible with OM3, supports longer 10 Gigabit links and higher-speed applications .
• OM5 (50/125 µm, wideband multimode): Lime green jacket, optimized for multiple WDM channels, supporting high-speed data transmission over short distances .

Connector Color Coding

In addition to jacket colors, connector colors can also indicate fiber type:

• Beige connectors: OM1/OM2 multimode fibers
• Aqua connectors: OM3 fibers
• Magenta or violet connectors: OM4 fibers
• Lime green connectors: OM5 fibers This dual color coding (jacket and connector) simplifies identification and reduces the risk of misconnection during installation or maintenance .

Summary

Using standardized colors for multimode fiber patch cords ensures efficient network setup, proper fiber matching, and compliance with TIA/EIA-598-C standards. Always match both the jacket and connector colors to the intended fiber type to maintain network performance and avoid damage.