What do red and black connector boots on fiber optic patch cords mean?

04.07.2023 | Fiber optic patch cords with single-fiber connectors often have one connector with a red cable boot and another connector with a black one. What does that mean? Read on to find the answer.

Answer: In duplex connectors transmit and recive are determined by the position of the individual connectors. When it comes to patch cords with two individual connectors on one end, one wil have ot ask oneselve which one is used for transmit and which one for receive?

A connector with a red boot is typically used for the fiber that transmits the signal. It is plugged into the „Receive“ port of an electronic device. The connector with the black boot receives the signal and therefore is plugged into the „Transmit“ port of the device. However this is not a fixed rule and so one should not rely on it.

Nobody knows everything. A comprehensive topic like IT cabling inevitably raises questions. This column gives answers to questions which reached Telegärtner’s Technical Helpdesk and which we consider interesting for everyone. Please do not hesitate to send us your questions, we will be happy to answer them. The questions will be published anonymously, of course.