Resources · FAQ
Fiber Optic FAQ for Engineers and Buyers
Short answers on ordering, MPO/MTP cabling, optical transceivers and ADSS/OPGW cable. Still unsure? Ask Candy directly.
Ordering and company
Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
ABPTEL is the fiber connectivity brand of Shenzhen Anwei Communication Technology Co., Ltd. We work with several qualified manufacturing partners, match each project to the right partner and product, and check the order against the confirmed specification before it ships. More about us.
What products do you supply?
MPO/MTP pre-terminated cabling, optical transceivers, ADSS and OPGW aerial cable, and FTTH/ODN and FTTA assemblies. See all products.
How do I place an order?
Send your requirements or application. We reply with a spec sheet and a quote. After you approve the quote and pay the deposit, the order goes into production. Get a free spec sheet & quote.
Can I get a sample first?
Yes. Samples ship by DHL, UPS or FedEx. We confirm the sample cost, lead time and shipping with you before sending. Request a sample.
Do you offer OEM and custom assemblies?
Yes. Length, fiber type and count, connectors, polarity, jacket, labeling and packaging can be specified per order. OEM & custom.
Which trade and payment terms do you accept?
FOB, CFR, CIF, EXW and DDP delivery terms, and payment by T/T or L/C. The terms for your order are stated on the quote.
How do you check quality before shipping?
Checks depend on the product and the order. The applicable tests, compatibility requirements and test documents are confirmed before you order. See the product verification process.
How should I evaluate a fiber supplier beyond price?
Ask for test data (IL/RL reports, OTDR traces), a polarity map for MPO links, proof of switch compatibility for transceivers, and a pilot run before the volume order.
MPO/MTP cabling
What is the difference between MPO and MTP?
MPO is the multi-fiber connector standard. MTP® is US Conec’s high-performance MPO connector. They mate with each other; MTP has tighter tolerances and typically lower insertion loss.
Which polarity should I choose: Type A, B or C?
Parallel optics such as 40G/100G SR4 commonly use Type B. Duplex LC links through cassettes often use Type A, or Type C depending on the wiring. We send a polarity map with the spec sheet before production. Polarity guide.
How do I choose male (pinned) or female connectors?
Two MPO connectors only mate pinned-to-unpinned. Trunks are usually female when they plug into pinned cassettes or panels, and transceivers are pinned. Tell us what is fixed on each end and we match the other side.
Low-loss or standard-loss?
Choose low-loss when the link has several mated pairs or a tight optical budget, as in most 400G/800G links. Standard-loss is fine for short, simple paths. Exact values are stated in the spec sheet.
12, 16 or 24 fibers: which count?
12-fiber suits most 40G/100G SR4 and LC breakouts. 16-fiber matches 8-lane 400G/800G optics. 24-fiber gives the most density per connector. Fiber-count comparison.
Do trunks ship with test reports and labels?
Yes. MPO/MTP assemblies ship with IL/RL test reports, and labeling to your port IDs and part numbers can be added.
Optical transceivers
SFP+, SFP28 or QSFP28: what is the difference?
SFP+ is one 10G lane, SFP28 one 25G lane, and QSFP28 four 25G lanes for 100G. Choose by the port on your switch or NIC.
Can I plug a 10G SFP+ into a 25G port?
Usually yes; most SFP28 ports also run at 10G. A 10G-only port cannot run a 25G module. Check the switch documentation and set the port speed if needed.
How far do SR, LR, ER and ZR reach?
Typical reaches: SR on multimode fiber up to about 100 m at 25G/100G (longer at 10G), LR 10 km, ER 40 km and ZR 80 km on single-mode fiber. The exact reach is in each module’s spec sheet.
Are your modules compatible with my switch?
Modules are coded for your platform and tested on real Cisco, Arista and Juniper switches in our Shenzhen compatibility lab, with a 24-hour traffic test before shipping. Tell us the switch model and software version when you ask for a quote.
Commercial or industrial temperature range?
Commercial (0 to 70 °C) suits indoor equipment rooms. Industrial (−40 to 85 °C) is for outdoor cabinets and harsh sites.
ADSS and OPGW
What is the difference between ADSS and OPGW?
ADSS is an all-dielectric, self-supporting cable that carries fiber only. OPGW replaces the ground wire on a transmission line and carries fiber inside it. Compare them.
When should I choose ADSS instead of OPGW?
ADSS suits telecom pole routes and retrofits on existing power lines where the conductors stay live. OPGW is used when a transmission line is new or its ground wire is being replaced.
Do I need an anti-tracking (AT) sheath on ADSS?
On power towers with strong electric fields, yes. The AT sheath resists electrical tracking. Tell us the line voltage so we can specify it.
What do you need to quote ADSS or OPGW?
Line voltage, maximum span, sag, ice and wind load, fiber count and type, and for OPGW the short-circuit current rating. Hardware such as clamps and dampers can be quoted with the cable.
Get a free spec sheet & quote
Tell us the fiber count, length and connector. Candy, our fiber specialist, reviews every request.