Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
How can you identify single-mode vs multimode fiber patch cords by color?
Yellow jackets are single-mode fiber; orange (or aqua) jackets are multimode fiber.
Fiber patch cords are color-coded for easy identification:
| Jacket Color | Fiber Type |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Single-mode fiber (SMF) |
| Orange or Aqua | Multimode fiber (MMF) |
Common patch cord types:
- SC-SC MM (Multimode)
- LC-LC SM (Single-mode)
- ST-LC MM (Multimode)
- ST-SC SM (Single-mode)
Go deeper:
-
Single-mode vs multimode fiber — FS.com — covers the jacket colour conventions alongside the technical differences. -
Optical fiber connector — Wikipedia — connector types referenced in the patch-cord names (SC, LC, ST).