ANSI/TIA-568-C.

3-1-2011
APPROVED: OCTOBER 13, 2011

Optical Fiber Cabling Components

Standard – Addendum 1, Addition of OM4
Cabled Optical Fiber and Array
Connectivity

TIA-568-C.3-1 December 2011

 NOTICE
TIA Engineering Standards and Publications are designed to serve the public interest through
eliminating misunderstandings between manufacturers and purchasers, facilitating interchangeability
and improvement of products, and assisting the purchaser in selecting and obtaining with minimum
delay the proper product for their particular need. The existence of such Standards and Publications
shall not in any respect preclude any member or non-member of TIA from manufacturing or selling
products not conforming to such Standards and Publications. Neither shall the existence of such
Standards and Publications preclude their voluntary use by Non-TIA members, either domestically or
internationally.
Standards and Publications are adopted by TIA in accordance with the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) patent policy. By such action, TIA does not assume any liability to any patent owner,
nor does it assume any obligation whatever to parties adopting the Standard or Publication.
This Standard does not purport to address all safety problems associated with its use or all applicable
regulatory requirements. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to establish appropriate
safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations before its use.
(From Standards Proposal No. ANSI/TIA-PN-568-C.3-1, formulated under the cognizance of the TIA
TR-42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems, TR-42.11 Subcommittee on Optical Systems).

Published by
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Standards and Technology Department
2500 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201 U.S.A.

PRICE: Please refer to current Catalog of

TIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STANDARDS
AND ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS
or call IHS, USA and Canada
(1-877-413-5187) International (303-397-2896)
or search online at http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/catalog/

All rights reserved

Printed in U.S.A.
 NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

This document is copyrighted by the TIA.

Reproduction of these documents either in hard copy or soft copy (including posting on the
web) is prohibited without copyright permission. For copyright permission to reproduce portions
of this document, please contact the TIA Standards Department or go to the TIA website
(www.tiaonline.org) for details on how to request permission. Details are located at:
http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/catalog/info.cfm#copyright
or
Telecommunications Industry Association
Technology & Standards Department
2500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201 USA
+1.703.907.7700

Organizations may obtain permission to reproduce a limited number of copies by entering into a
license agreement. For information, contact
IHS
15 Inverness Way East
Englewood, CO 80112-5704
or call
USA and Canada (1.800.525.7052)
International (303.790.0600)
 NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The document to which this Notice is affixed (the “Document”) has been prepared by one or more Engineering
Committees or Formulating Groups of the Telecommunications Industry Association (“TIA”). TIA is not the author of the
Document contents, but publishes and claims copyright to the Document pursuant to licenses and permission granted by
the authors of the contents.

TIA Engineering Committees and Formulating Groups are expected to conduct their affairs in accordance with the TIA
Engineering Manual (“Manual”), the current and predecessor versions of which are available at
http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/procedures/manuals/TIA’s function is to administer the process, but not the content, of
document preparation in accordance with the Manual and, when appropriate, the policies and procedures of the American
National Standards Institute (“ANSI”). TIA does not evaluate, test, verify or investigate the information, accuracy,
soundness, or credibility of the contents of the Document. In publishing the Document, TIA disclaims any undertaking to
perform any duty owed to or for anyone.

If the Document is identified or marked as a project number (PN) document, or as a standards proposal (SP) document,
persons or parties reading or in any way interested in the Document are cautioned that: (a) the Document is a proposal;
(b) there is no assurance that the Document will be approved by any Committee of TIA or any other body in its present or
any other form; (c) the Document may be amended, modified or changed in the standards development or any editing
process.

The use or practice of contents of this Document may involve the use of intellectual property rights (“IPR”), including
pending or issued patents, or copyrights, owned by one or more parties. TIA makes no search or investigation for IPR.
When IPR consisting of patents and published pending patent applications are claimed and called to TIA’s attention, a
statement from the holder thereof is requested, all in accordance with the Manual. TIA takes no position with reference to,
and disclaims any obligation to investigate or inquire into, the scope or validity of any claims of IPR. TIA will neither be a
party to discussions of any licensing terms or conditions, which are instead left to the parties involved, nor will TIA opine
or judge whether proposed licensing terms or conditions are reasonable or non-discriminatory. TIA does not warrant or
represent that procedures or practices suggested or provided in the Manual have been complied with as respects the
Document or its contents.

If the Document contains one or more Normative References to a document published by another organization (“other
SSO”) engaged in the formulation, development or publication of standards (whether designated as a standard,
specification, recommendation or otherwise), whether such reference consists of mandatory, alternate or optional
elements (as defined in the TIA Engineering Manual, 4th edition) then (i) TIA disclaims any duty or obligation to search or
investigate the records of any other SSO for IPR or letters of assurance relating to any such Normative Reference; (ii)
TIA’s policy of encouragement of voluntary disclosure (see Engineering Manual Section 6.5.1) of Essential Patent(s) and
published pending patent applications shall apply; and (iii) Information as to claims of IPR in the records or publications of
the other SSO shall not constitute identification to TIA of a claim of Essential Patent(s) or published pending patent
applications.

TIA does not enforce or monitor compliance with the contents of the Document. TIA does not certify, inspect, test or
otherwise investigate products, designs or services or any claims of compliance with the contents of the Document.

ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL
WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS, ITS FITNESS OR APPROPRIATENESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, ITS MERCHANTABILITY AND ITS NONINFRINGEMENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY’S
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. TIA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE
ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE
CONTENT’S COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, RULE OR REGULATION, OR THE SAFETY OR
HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE REFERRED TO IN THE DOCUMENT OR
PRODUCED OR RENDERED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTENTS.

TIA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, ARISING FROM OR RELATING
TO ANY USE OF THE CONTENTS CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY AND ALL
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
BUSINESS, LOSS OF PROFITS, LITIGATION, OR THE LIKE), WHETHER BASED UPON BREACH OF CONTRACT,
BREACH OF WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE FOREGOING NEGATION OF DAMAGES IS A
FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF THE USE OF THE CONTENTS HEREOF, AND THESE CONTENTS WOULD NOT BE
PUBLISHED BY TIA WITHOUT SUCH LIMITATIONS.
 ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

Optical Fiber Cabling Components Standard – Addendum 1,

Addition of OM4 Cabled Optical Fiber and Array Connectivity
Table of Contents
FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................. i
1 SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 1
Table 1 Cable transmission performance ................................................................................................ 1
6.4.3 Array ............................................................................................................................................ 2

FOREWORD
(This foreword is not considered part of this Standard.)
TIA standards documents are developed within the Technical Committees of the TIA and the standards
coordinating committees of the TIA standards board. Members of the committees serve voluntarily and
without commission. The companies that they represent are not necessarily members of the TIA. The
standards developed within the TIA represent a consensus of the broad expertise on the subject. This
expertise comes from within the TIA as well as those outside of the TIA that have an expressed interest.
The viewpoint expressed at the time that this standard was approved was from the contributors’
experience and the state of the art at that time. Users are encouraged to verify that they have the latest
revision of the standard.
This addendum has been prepared by the TR-42.11 Subcommittee and approved by the TR-42
Engineering Committee.
There are no annexes in this addendum.

Introduction
Deleted text is shown as strikethrough. New text is shown as underlined. Clause, figure and table
numbering will require updating after subclause 6.4.3.2.6.

i
 ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

1 SCOPE
This addendum updates ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 with the addition of 50/125 µm laser-optimized OM4
cabled optical fiber and components for array connectivity.
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES
The following reference shall be added to clause 2, “Normative references” within the cable standards
section.
• TIA-492AAAD-2009, Detail Specification for 850-nm Laser-Optimized, 50 µm Core
Diameter/125 µm Cladding Diameter Class 1a Graded-Index Multimode Optical Fibers
Suitable for Manufacturing OM4 Cabled Optical Fiber
The following references shall be shall be modified to clause 2, “Normative references” within the
cable standards section.
• TIA-492AAAA-AB-20022009, Detail Specification for 62.5 μm Core Diameter/125 μm
Cladding Diameter Class Ia Graded-Index Multimode Optical Fibers
• TIA-492AAAB-A-20022009, Detail Specification for 50 μm Core Diameter/125 μm Cladding
Diameter Class Ia Multimode, Graded-Index Optical Waveguide Fibers
• TIA-492AAAC-AB-20032009, Detail Specification for 850-nm Laser-Optimized, 50-μm Core
Diameter/125-μm Cladding Diameter Class 1a Graded-Index Multimode Optical Fibers

TABLE 1 CABLE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE

Modify the title of table 1 as follows, “Optical fiber cable1 transmission performance parameters”.
The first row of table 1 shall be modified as follows:
Minimum overfilled Minimum
Maximum modal effective modal
Optical fiber and cable Wavelength
attenuation bandwidth-length bandwidth-length
type 2 (nm)
(dB/km) product product
(MHz⋅km) 12 (MHz⋅km) 12

The following row shall be added to table 1 after the row specifying OM3.
850 nm Laser-Optimized
850 3.5 3500 4700
50/125 µm Multimode
1300 1.5 500 Not Required
TIA 492AAAD (OM4)

The second note of the “NOTES” of table 1, shall be changed to Note 1 and modified as follows:
2 1 - The fiber designations (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OS1 and OS2) corresponds to the designations of used
within ISO/IEC 11801 or ISO/IEC 24702.

Existing Note 1 of table 1 becomes Note 2.

1
ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

6.4.3 Array
Subclause 6.4.3, “Array” shall be modified as follows:
6.4.3 Array
6.4.3.1 General
Array system connectivity methods require a specific combination of components (array patch cord,
optical fiber transitions, duplex patch cord) to maintain polarity. Some of the components are common
to other connectivity methods such as duplex systems.
NOTES
1 - The array patch cords and array cables of shown in figures 7, 8 and 9through figure 12 are
shown unpinned on both ends for simplicity. In some instances, such as when supporting
parallel signals, it may be necessary to use a combination of unpinned and pinned
connectors on array cables and array patch cords. At any connection using MPO connectors,
it is necessary for one plug to be pinned and the other to be unpinned.
2 - See ANSI/TIA 568 C.0 for guidance on usage of polarity methods.
6.4.3.2 Array patch cords and array cables
The Array patch cords and array cables should be clearly identified.
6.4.3.2.1 Type-A:1-1 array patch cord and array cable
Type-A:1-1 array patch cords and array cables are used to provide connectivity between array
interfaces in which the fibers are arranged in a single row. As shown in figure 7, a Type-A:1-1 array
patch cord or array cable has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are fixed within the array
connector in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the end-
face of the array connector with the connector key up (see table 2).
b) On the other end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are fixed within the array
connector also in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector with the connector key up (see table 2).
Table 2 - Type-A:1-1 array patch cord and array cable fiber sequence

Near /
Fiber Sequence sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face
Far
of the connector with key up)
End
Near 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Far 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2
 ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

Figure 7 - Type-A:1-1 array patch cord and array cable (key-up to key-down)
6.4.3.2.2 Type-A:2-1 array patch cord
Type-A:2-1 array patch cords are used to provide connectivity between an array interface in which the
fibers are arranged in two rows within one array connector plug and two array interfaces in which the
fibers are arranged in one row in each of two array connector plugs. As shown in figure 8, a
Type-A:2-1 array patch cord has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within in each of two rows of the array
connector plug in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector plug with the key up (see table 3).
b) On the other ends of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within each array connector
plug also in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the end-
face of the array connector plug with the key up (see table 3).

Table 3 - Type-A:2-1 array patch cord fiber sequence

Fiber sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face with key
End
up)
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
top row
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
bottom row
1-row plugs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

3
ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

Fibers, Fibers, Fibers,

Bottom Row Top Row Both Plugs
1 1 1
2 2 Position 1 2
Top Row: Position 1
3 3 Bottom Row: Position 13 3
4 4 4
5 5 Position 12 5
6 6 Key up Key down 6
Position 1
7 7 7
8 8 Top Row: Position 12 8
9 9 Bottom Row: Position 24 9
10 10 Position 12 10
11 11 11
12 12 12

Figure 8 - Type-A:2-1 array patch cord (key-up to key-down)

6.4.3.2.3 Type-B:1-1 array patch cord and array cable
Type–B:1-1 array patch cords and array cables are used to provide connectivity between array
interfaces in which the fibers are arranged in a single row. As shown in figure 89, a Type-B:1-1 array
patch cord or array cable has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are fixed within the array
connector plug in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector with the connector key up (see table 34).
b) On the other end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are fixed within the array
connector plug in reverse consecutive number (12,11,10,9…1) from left to right as viewed
looking at the end-face of the array connector with the connector key up (see table 34).
Table 3 4 - Type-B:1-1 array patch cord and array cable fiber sequence

Near /
Fiber Sequence sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face
Far
of the connector with key up)
End
Near 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Far 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Figure 8 9 - Type-B:1-1 array patch cord and array cable (key-up to key-up)

4
 ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

6.4.3.2.4 Type-B:2-1 array patch cord

Type-B:2-1 array patch cords are used to provide connectivity between an array interface in which the
fibers are arranged in two rows within one array connector plug and two array interfaces in which the
fibers are arranged in one row in each of two array connector plugs. As shown in figure 10, a Type-
B:2-1 array patch cord has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within in each of two rows of the array
connector plug in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector plug with the key up (see table 5).
b) On the other ends of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within each array connector
plug in reverse consecutive number (12,11,10,9…1) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector plug with the key up (see table 5).
Table 5 - Type-B:2-1 array patch cord fiber sequence
Fiber sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face with key
End
up)
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
top row
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
bottom row
1-row plugs 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

PUSH

PULL
PUSH
PULL

PUSH

PULL

Figure 10 - Type-B:2-1 array patch cord (key-up to key-up)

6.4.3.2.36.4.3.2.5 Type-C:1-1 array patch cord and array cable

Type-C:1-1 array patch cords and array cables are used to provide connectivity between array
interfaces in which the fiber are arranged in a single row. As shown in figure 911, Type-C:1-1 array
patch cord or array cable has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are fixed within the array
connector in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the end-
face of the array connector with the connector key up (see table 46).

5
ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

b) On the other end of the array patch cord or array cable, the fibers are pair-wise flipped within
the array connector (2,1; 4,3; 6,5…12,11) from left to right as viewed looking at the end-face of
the array connector with the connector key up (see table 46).
Table 4 6 - Type-C:1-1 array patch cord and array cable fiber sequence

Near /
Fiber Sequence sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face
Far
of the connector with key up)
End
Near 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Far 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11

Figure 9 11 - Type-C:1-1 array patch cord and array cable (pair-wise flipped, key-up to key-
down)
6.4.3.2.6 Type-C:2-1 array patch cord
Type-C:2-1 array patch cords are used to provide connectivity between an array interface in which
the fibers are arranged in two rows within one array connector plug and two array interfaces in which
the fibers are arranged in one row in each of two array connector plugs. As shown in figure 12, a
Type-C:2-1 array patch cord has a sequential number assigned to each fiber as follows:
a) On one end of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within in each of two rows of the array
connector plug in consecutive number (1,2,3,4…12) from left to right as viewed looking at the
end-face of the array connector plug with the key up (see table 7).
b) On the other ends of the array patch cord, the fibers are fixed within each array connector
plug in pair-wise flipped (2,1; 4,3; 6,5…12,11) from left to right as viewed looking at the end-
face of the connector plug with the key up (see table 7).
Table 7 - Type-C:2-1 array patch cord fiber sequence
Fiber sequence (viewing the array connector plug end-face with key
End
up)
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
top row
2-row plug,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
bottom row
1-row plugs 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11

6
 ANSI/TIA-568-C.3-1

PUSH
PUSH

PULL
PUSH
PULL

PUSH

PULL
Figure 12 - Type-C:2-1 array patch cord (pair-wise flipped, key-up to key-down)