Multimode fiber optic pigtail colors

Multimode fiber optic pigtails typically use color-coded jackets to identify fiber types: OM1 is orange, OM2 is gray, OM3 is aqua, OM4 is aqua or violet, and OM5 is lime.Standard Multimode Fiber Colors

• OM1 (62.5/125 µm): Orange jacket, legacy 160–200 MHz·km bandwidth at 850 nm .
• OM2 (50/125 µm): Gray jacket, 500 MHz·km bandwidth at 850 nm .
• OM3 (50/125 µm, laser-optimized): Aqua jacket, 2,000 MHz·km at 850 nm .
• OM4 (50/125 µm, laser-optimized): Aqua or violet jacket, 4,700 MHz·km at 850 nm; violet is sometimes used to differentiate from OM3 in high-density environments .
• OM5 (50/125 µm, SWDM): Lime green jacket, designed for Short Wave Division Multiplexing, same modal bandwidth as OM4 at 850 nm .

Pigtail Color Coding for Individual Fibers

For multimode pigtails, especially in high-density installations, 12-color sequences are commonly used to identify individual fibers within a cable or splice tray :

1. Blue
2. Orange
3. Green
4. Brown
5. Slate (Gray)
6. White
7. Red
8. Black
9. Yellow
10. Violet
11. Rose (Pink)
12. Aqua This sequence aligns with TIA-598-C standards and repeats for cables with more than 12 fibers, sometimes with stripes to maintain unique identification .

Connector and Jacket Considerations

• Connector colors indicate polish type: Blue for UPC (flat), Green for APC (angled) to reduce return loss .
• Jacket colors help quickly identify fiber type in patch panels, splice closures, or data center environments .
• Multimode pigtails are available in LC, SC, or FC connectors, and the color coding ensures proper matching during splicing and termination .

Practical Tips

• Always verify the printed fiber type on the jacket, especially for OM3 vs OM4, as both may use aqua jackets .
• Use 12-color pigtails in high-density or multi-fiber applications to simplify installation and reduce errors .
• For small-scale or low-density setups, single-color pigtails may suffice if fiber identification is already managed at the cable or cassette level . By following these color standards, technicians can ensure accurate fiber identification, safe connections, and efficient network maintenance.