Quick answer: an ODC fiber cable is a factory-terminated outdoor cable assembly built on the ODC (Outdoor Connector) interface, a hardened, threaded, sealed connector system for 2 or 4 fibers. It serves cell towers, rooftops, outdoor cabinets, and industrial sites where standard patch cords cannot survive. ODC® and Q-ODC® are registered trademarks of HUBER+SUHNER; BWNFiber manufactures ODC-compatible cable assemblies in the configurations below.
This page is the series hub: every ODC assembly family we build, how to choose between them, and how to get a configured quote in one round. Send your port type and length →
The ODC series at a glance
Two fiber counts, four mechanical variants per count, one flagship configurable jumper. Every assembly is built to order: end types, fiber, jacket, and length are configuration choices on one assembly platform, not separate products.
| Family | Fibers | ODC-end form factor | Far-end options | Typical role | Product page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODC 2C/4C Outdoor Waterproof Fiber Jumper | 2 or 4 | Plug / socket, configurable | ODC, LC, SC, FC, ST, E2000 | The configurable workhorse for FTTA and outdoor links | View ODC 2C/4C jumper |
| ODC-2C-MP | 2 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 2-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-2C-MP |
| ODC-2C-FSS | 2 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 2-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-2C-FSS |
| ODC-2C-FSH | 2 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 2-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-2C-FSH |
| ODC-4C-ME (FTTA) | 4 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 4-fiber FTTA assembly | View ODC-4C-ME |
| ODC-4C-MP | 4 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 4-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-4C-MP |
| ODC-4C-FSS | 4 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 4-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-4C-FSS |
| ODC-4C-FSH | 4 | Confirm against the approved build sheet | Confirm against the approved build sheet | 4-fiber ODC assembly | View ODC-4C-FSH |
Family-level selection lives on two dedicated pages: ODC-2 fiber cable for single-duplex links, ODC-4 fiber cable for dual-duplex and protected links.
How to choose an ODC cable in three steps
Step 1: Match the equipment port. Identify the interface family on the equipment (ODC, or another hardened system such as FullAXS, ODVA, NSN Boot, PDLC, or OptiTap), the gender the port presents, and its fiber count. Hardened interfaces are not intermateable: the port decides the cable, never the other way around.
Step 2: Count the duplex links. One transmit/receive pair points to ODC-2. Two pairs (a second carrier, a second band, or 1+1 protection) point to ODC-4. The engineering detail is in ODC-2 vs ODC-4.
Step 3: Spec the environment. Jacket (TPU for tower flex and abrasion, LSZH where runs enter occupied space, PE for duct), ingress rating (IP67/IP68 mated), temperature range, and any armor for rodent or crush exposure. Operating range and mechanical ratings are per-build datasheet values. Confirm them against your site conditions before ordering, not after.
The full seven-input framework, including fiber type, measured length, and factory test evidence, is in our ODC selection guide.
Interface combinations
The ODC end connects to the outdoor port; the far end lands wherever your equipment lives. Standard combinations:
- ODC to ODC: outdoor-to-outdoor links, extensions, panel feeds
- ODC to LC: the FTTA classic, tower radio down to BBU/DU or cabinet patch field
- ODC to SC / FC / ST / E2000: legacy transport and enterprise equipment. E2000 turns up mostly in European carrier networks; FC and ST linger on older industrial and utility sites.
- ODC to other hardened families (FullAXS, ODVA, PDLC, NSN Boot, OptiTap): cross-family hybrid cables built to order for mixed-vendor sites. ODC and Q-ODC are different interfaces and never share a port; see the comparison below.
- ODC to MPO: multi-fiber distribution breakouts
- Hybrid power + fiber composite: builds that carry DC power and fiber in one cable for remote radio sites are engineered and quoted separately
The complete matrix with selection notes is on the custom ODC cable assembly page.
Where ODC cables work
| Application | Configuration that usually fits |
|---|---|
| 4G/5G FTTA, BBU/DU to RRU/RRH | ODC-2 or ODC-4 to duplex LC, G.657A single-mode, TPU jacket |
| Rooftop and pole radios | ODC to ODC, IP68 mated, capped when unmated |
| Outdoor cabinets and enclosures | ODC panel-mount socket on the wall, ODC-to-LC inside |
| Industrial and energy sites | TPU or armored builds, IP68 mated |
| Broadcast and temporary deployment | ODC to ODC on reels, high mating-cycle builds |
For armored fronthaul runs without connectorized ends, see our FTTA armored CPRI patch cord. Other hardened ecosystems on the same sites: OptiTap patch cords, NSN Boot duplex jumpers, and PDLC outdoor assemblies.
ODC connector construction and ratings
Spec ranges and figures below are typical values from current BWNFiber ODC series datasheets, for reference only, not a guarantee of any specific build; the datasheet for your configuration governs. Version-specific numbers belong to each product page.
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ingress protection | IP67/IP68 when mated (degrees of protection per IEC 60529); protective cap required when unmated |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to +70 °C on standard builds; extended-range versions for severe-climate sites on request |
| Coupling | Threaded screw lock with controlled-seal interface |
| Housing | Nickel-plated brass, metal-shell sealed construction |
| Mating durability | ≥500 mating cycles per current datasheets |
| Fiber options | OS2 single-mode (bend-insensitive G.657.A1/A2 recommended over G.652.D wherever bend radius is uncontrolled); OM1–OM4 multimode |
| Jacket options | TPU, LSZH, PE; armored variants for crush resistance and rodent protection. TPU and PE are UV-stable outdoors; LSZH is the flame-retardant, low-smoke choice for runs entering occupied space and is not intended for prolonged sun exposure |
| Cable OD | ~5.0 mm standard jumper builds; other diameters on request |
| Optical performance | IL ≤0.3 dB, RL ≥55 dB (SM/UPC) as published on current series datasheets; APC polish builds are quoted at the RL ≥60 dB class ; per-unit test records available . At jumper lengths the connector pair sets the link budget; fiber attenuation over a short assembly is negligible by comparison |
| Tensile strength | ≥100 N per current datasheets |
Ratings apply to the correctly mated pair; an unmated connector holds its ingress rating only with the protective cap fitted.
Standards, testing, and what to request
Hardened outdoor connectors in this class are qualified against IEC 61753-1, the performance standard for fiber optic interconnecting devices, whose outdoor categories cover temperature, humidity, and vibration exposure. North American projects may additionally request Telcordia GR-3120 qualification evidence for hardened connectors; confirm in the RFQ which regional qualification your customer will audit. Ask any supplier which test schedule their ODC-type assemblies were qualified against. The answer separates documented manufacturers from assembly shops.
Every BWNFiber ODC assembly ships with an individual insertion-loss and return-loss test record . End-face inspection per IEC 61300-3-35 is available . With your RFQ you can request a sample test report and the datasheet for your exact configuration before production. For project quantities, validate one production sample assembly against the actual port and your acceptance criteria before releasing the full order: it removes the most expensive failure mode in this category, a full shipment that does not mate. If your acceptance criteria do not map cleanly to a published test schedule, send the port datasheet and your limits through the contact form for a technical review before you commit to a quote.
Four mistakes to avoid before you request a quote
- Specifying the cable before the port. The equipment port fixes the interface family, gender, and fiber count. A correct-looking cable with the wrong gender or flange does not mate. Send the port datasheet or a photo, not a guess.
- Treating the IP rating as a cable property. IP67/IP68 belongs to the mated pair. Unmated connectors need the cap, and caps have their own rating. Confirm both states.
- Assuming ODC and Q-ODC are the same family. They share a trademark holder and nothing else: different locking, different geometry, no intermateability. Ordering one where the port is the other strands the shipment.
- Quoting length without routing. Tower and cabinet runs need slack for drip loops, bend radius, and panel dressing. Measure the route, then add service slack; do not order to the straight-line distance.
The full selection checklist, with seven inputs and worked examples, is in the ODC selection guide.
Manufacturer capability
BWNFiber builds ODC-compatible assemblies to order from Ningbo, China. OEM and ODM programs cover customer-branded labeling, custom documentation, project packaging, and project-specific test criteria. For project-based orders we work from your build sheet: port types, quantities per configuration, and test requirements are reviewed before production, so the shipment matches the specification rather than just the purchase order. Project volumes and reference sites are shared under NDA during supplier qualification .
For distributor and project pricing, send quantities per configuration. Pricing follows the build sheet, not a list price.
What to send for a one-round series quote
| # | Input | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Equipment port: datasheet or photo | Fixes interface family, gender, and flange form |
| 2 | Fiber count per link (2 or 4) | Decides ODC-2 vs ODC-4 |
| 3 | Far-end interface (LC, SC, FC, ST, E2000, or ODC) | Defines the hybrid configuration |
| 4 | Fiber type (OS2 / G.657A, or OM1–OM4) | Matches the link budget and equipment |
| 5 | Jacket and environment (TPU / LSZH / PE, armored?) | Matches tower, duct, or indoor-entry conditions |
| 6 | Measured length per run, with routing slack | Prevents short cables and wasted overlength |
| 7 | Quantity per configuration | Drives build-sheet pricing |
| 8 | Test evidence required (IL/RL report, end-face inspection, OTDR trace for long runs) | Sets the acceptance criteria before production |
Send these eight items through the contact form: one round, no clarification loops.
Compare before you commit
- ODC-2 vs ODC-4: fiber count, port mapping, and cost per duplex link
- ODC vs Q-ODC: threaded vs push-pull locking, and why they never share a port
- How to choose an ODC fiber cable: the complete 7-step selection framework
Product comparisons settle configuration. Supplier comparisons settle risk: before shortlisting, verify the qualification test schedule a supplier claims, whether per-unit IL/RL records ship with every assembly, how they handle the ODC and Q-ODC trademark line, and whether they review your build sheet before production. A supplier that answers all four in writing is one you can hold to the purchase order.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ODC fiber cable?
A factory-terminated outdoor fiber optic cable assembly using the ODC hardened connector interface: sealed to IP67/IP68 when mated, metal-housed, and built for outdoor service on towers, rooftops, cabinets, and industrial sites. ODC® is a HUBER+SUHNER trademark; compatible assemblies like BWNFiber’s use the same interface geometry.
What is the difference between an ODC patch cord and an ODC fiber jumper?
None. Patch cord, jumper, and patch cable are regional synonyms for the same factory-terminated assembly. “Cable assembly” usually implies a build-to-order configuration document.
Are ODC cables single-mode or multimode?
Both are available. Tower and telecom links use OS2 single-mode, normally bend-insensitive G.657.A1/A2: the A2 grade (7.5 mm bend class) suits the tight routing inside compact tower-top enclosures, A1 (10 mm class) covers general routing. OM1–OM4 multimode serves short industrial runs.
What IP rating do ODC cables have?
The mated pair is rated IP67 or IP68 (dust-tight and waterproof when mated) depending on version. Unmated connectors require the protective cap to maintain sealing. Always confirm whether a quoted rating covers the capped-unmated state.
What temperature range do ODC cables cover?
Standard BWNFiber builds are rated −20 °C to +70 °C per current series datasheets; extended-range versions for severe-climate sites are available on request. Confirm the rating on the datasheet for your exact configuration.
How many mating cycles does an ODC connector handle?
Current series datasheets rate ≥500 mating cycles. In practice, mating life depends on cleaning discipline: contaminated end faces wear the ferrule faster than the coupling mechanism.
Can you build custom lengths and mixed ends (ODC to LC, ODC to SC)?
Yes. End types, gender, fiber, jacket, and length are all configurable, including hybrid combinations across hardened families. Send the configuration list from our ODC selection guide for a one-round quote.
Do you support OEM/ODM and bulk orders?
Yes. Customer labeling, custom documentation, project packaging, and volume production.
What test evidence ships with the cables?
Per-unit insertion-loss and return-loss records against stated limits, with end-face inspection available on request.
What is the difference between ODC-2 and ODC-4?
Fiber count: ODC-2 carries one duplex link, ODC-4 carries two. Selection logic and port mapping are in ODC-2 vs ODC-4.
Are there 6, 8, or 12-core ODC cables?
No. The ODC interface carries 2 or 4 fibers. Listings that advertise higher fiber counts under the ODC name usually describe a different multi-fiber interface or a non-standard shell. Always match the connector geometry on the equipment port, not the product title.
Is ODC compatible with Q-ODC?
No. Q-ODC is a different (push-pull) interface from the same trademark holder, and the two never mate. Details in ODC vs Q-ODC.
How do I get pricing?
Send your configuration (ends, fiber count, fiber type, jacket, length, quantity) through the contact form. Pricing is quoted per build sheet .
What warranty do ODC cable assemblies carry?
Warranty terms follow the order contract and the agreed test criteria for your build. State your acceptance standard (IL/RL limits, end-face grade) in the RFQ, and it becomes part of the build sheet.
Request your ODC configuration
Send the equipment port (datasheet or photo), fiber count, fiber type, jacket, length, and quantity. BWNFiber returns a matched ODC assembly configuration with a build sheet, per-unit test plan, and quotation. Start your RFQ →
