Fiber Optic Cable & OFC Supplier — Chennai
From SC-SC and LC-LC fiber optic patch cords to LIU (fiber patch panel) boxes and fiber accessories, Star Networking Services supports end-to-end OFC (optical fiber cable) projects across Chennai.
Single-mode or multimode
This is the first decision on any fiber project and it governs everything that follows — the cable, the patch cords, the transceivers and the cost.
Multimode has a wider core, typically 50 or 62.5 microns, and uses lower-cost optics. It suits links inside a building or across a compact campus. Single-mode has a 9 micron core and carries signal far further, which is why it is used between buildings and for anything approaching carrier distances.
The two cannot be mixed in a link. Patch cords, transceivers and the cable itself all have to be the same mode, and connecting single-mode optics to multimode fiber produces a link that either fails outright or degrades unpredictably.
- OM1 — 62.5 micron, legacy installations, limited 10G reach
- OM3 — 50 micron laser-optimised, 10G to around 300 m
- OM4 — 50 micron, 10G to around 400 m, common in newer backbones
- OS1 / OS2 single-mode — 9 micron, kilometres rather than metres
Connector types — LC, SC and where each is used
SC connectors are the larger push-pull type, long established and still common on LIU panels and older equipment. LC connectors are roughly half the size, which is why modern switch optics and high-density patch panels use them — you fit twice as many ports in the same panel width.
Patch cords are specified by the connector at each end, so an LC-to-LC cord joins two LC ports and an SC-to-SC cord joins two SC ports. Hybrid LC-to-SC cords exist for connecting newer equipment to older panels.
Duplex cords carry a transmit and a receive fiber together, which is what almost all Ethernet links need.
LIU and fiber termination
An LIU — light interface unit, also called a fiber patch panel or fiber enclosure — is where the outdoor or riser fiber cable terminates inside the building. The incoming fiber is spliced onto pigtails, those pigtails present as connector ports on the front of the LIU, and patch cords run from there to the switch.
The LIU protects the splices, controls bend radius on the fiber tails and gives you a documented, labelled point where the link can be tested. Terminating fiber directly onto equipment without one makes later fault-finding considerably harder.
LIU panels are rack-mounted, so allow for them when sizing the rack, along with the slack fiber that has to be stored inside.
Splicing or pre-terminated
Fusion splicing joins fiber permanently with very low loss and is the normal approach for terminating incoming OFC into an LIU. It needs a splicing machine and a trained technician, so it is a scheduled site activity rather than something done ad hoc.
Pre-terminated assemblies arrive with connectors already fitted and tested at the factory. They cost more per link but remove splicing from the critical path, which suits shorter runs and projects where site time is tight.
Whichever route you take, budget for loss: every connector pair and every splice adds attenuation, and a link that is fine on paper can fail once four patch panels sit between the two ends.
Where fiber earns its place
Fiber is the answer when copper runs out of reach or when interference is a problem. Ethernet over copper stops at 90 metres of permanent link; fiber carries hundreds of metres on multimode and kilometres on single-mode.
It is also immune to electrical interference, which matters in factories and plant rooms where cable trays run alongside power. And it separates buildings electrically, avoiding the earth-potential problems that copper links between structures can create.
- Building-to-building links across a campus or factory
- Backbone risers between floors
- Long runs in warehouses and industrial sites
- Routes running close to heavy electrical plant
- CCTV links beyond the 90 metre copper limit
Fiber supply across Chennai
We supply LC-LC and SC-SC fiber patch cords, and source OFC cable, LIU enclosures, pigtails, adapters and fiber accessories for project requirements across Chennai — for IT companies, hospitals, factories, offices, system integrators and infrastructure contractors. Star Networking Services has supplied networking products since 1998, across more than 300 projects.
Send us the route, distance, core count and connector type you need, or your BOQ, and we will quote the cable, LIU, pigtails and cords as one specification rather than as separate line items you have to reconcile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply LIU (fiber patch panel) boxes in Chennai?
We supply SC-SC and LC-LC fiber patch cords directly; for LIU boxes and other fiber accessories, contact our team with your project details and we'll source and quote the right option.
Can you handle end-to-end OFC (optical fiber cable) supply for a project?
Yes — we supply fiber patch cords and accessories and can advise on the full OFC requirement for your project in Chennai.
What is the difference between single-mode and multimode fiber?
Multimode has a wider core, 50 or 62.5 microns, and uses lower-cost optics — it suits links within a building or a compact campus. Single-mode has a 9 micron core and carries signal kilometres rather than hundreds of metres, which is why it is used between buildings. The two cannot be mixed within a link.
Should I use LC or SC fiber patch cords?
SC is the larger push-pull connector, still common on LIU panels and older equipment. LC is about half the size, which is why modern switch optics and high-density panels use it. Match the connector to the ports at each end, and use duplex cords for Ethernet links.
What does OM3 mean, and when should I use it over OM1?
OM3 is 50 micron laser-optimised multimode fiber rated for 10G to around 300 metres. OM1 is older 62.5 micron fiber with much more limited 10G reach. For any new backbone expected to carry 10G, OM3 or OM4 is the sensible specification.
What is an LIU used for?
An LIU, or light interface unit, is the rack-mounted enclosure where incoming fiber terminates. The fiber is spliced onto pigtails that present as connector ports on the front, and patch cords run from there to the switch. It protects the splices, controls bend radius and gives you a documented point for testing.
When should I use fiber instead of Cat6 cable?
When the run exceeds the 90 metre copper limit, when the route passes close to heavy electrical equipment, or when the link joins two separate buildings. Fiber is immune to electrical interference and avoids the earth-potential issues copper links between structures can create.
Do you supply fiber cable in bulk for infrastructure projects?
Yes. Share the route, distance, core count and connector type, or your BOQ, and we will quote the OFC cable, LIU, pigtails, adapters and patch cords together with GST invoicing.
Need a quote or bulk pricing?
Talk to our team about your project requirements — GST invoicing and bulk pricing available.