FAQ of HPCF POF Fiber Optical Cable Assemblies

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers about POF, H-PCF, AOC HDMI cables and industrial fiber optic solutions

Q1: What is the difference between POF, H-PCF, and glass fiber optic cables?

POF (Plastic Optical Fiber) has a 1mm PMMA plastic core with NA 0.5, offering low cost and easy termination but limited distance (20-80m) and data rates (DC-50Mbps). It is ideal for short-range industrial links and audio applications.

H-PCF/HCS (Hard Plastic Clad Fiber) features a 200μm silica glass core with hard polymer cladding (NA 0.4-0.46). It provides much lower attenuation (5-7 dB/km) and longer transmission (up to 1-2km), supporting crimp & cleave connectors that terminate in under 2 minutes without epoxy or polishing. This is the preferred choice for medium-distance factory automation and PLC networks.

Glass Multimode Fiber (50/125μm or 62.5/125μm) offers the longest distance (up to 3km) and highest data rates (1Gbps+), but requires skilled epoxy-and-polish termination and is more expensive. It is used for long-haul industrial Ethernet and telecom backbone links.

Q2: How far can your fiber optic cables transmit data?

Transmission distance depends on fiber type and data rate:

POF cables: 20-80 meters at 5-50 Mbps (e.g., Avago HFBR Versatile Link: 80m max; Siemens PROFIBUS OBT: 80m; Hitachi HyLink: 20m).
H-PCF/HCS cables: 400 meters at 25 Mbps, 1km at 10 Mbps, and up to 2km at 5 Mbps (Mitsubishi MELSECNET: 1km; Siemens PROFIBUS: 400m; Broadcom 820nm HCS: 2000m).
AOC HDMI cables: 1 meter to 100+ meters with full HDMI 2.1 signal integrity (8K@60Hz, 48Gbps). Custom lengths available.
Glass multimode: Up to 3km for Industrial Ethernet/PROFIBUS (Siemens OLM G12: 2850m).

We recommend specifying your required distance and data rate so our engineers can recommend the optimal fiber type.

Q3: Are your cables compatible with major industrial brands?

Yes, our cables are fully compatible with all major industrial fiber optic systems:

Toshiba: TOSLINK (JIS F05), TOTX/TODX series, TOCP100/155/200/255 fiber compatible.
Broadcom/Avago: HFBR Versatile Link (HFBR-0500), HFBR-0400 Miniature Link, HFBR-4501/4511/453x connectors, 5MBd/10MBd/160MBd.
Mitsubishi: MELSECNET/H, CC-Link IE, SSCNET III/H, F06/F08 connectors, MR-J3/J4 servo systems.
Siemens: SIMATIC NET, PROFIBUS OBT/OLM, PROFINET, 6XV1874 POF cables, BFOC/LC connectors.
Sumitomo: H-PCF HC-20/07, CF-1071/CF-1571/CF-2071 connectors, crimp & cleave termination.
Hitachi: HyLink POF/H-PCF series, F06/F07PN/F08 connectors, DC-50Mbps.
Bosch/Automotive: MOST25/MOST150 automotive infotainment networks (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW).

We can manufacture cables to match any of these brand specifications.

Q4: What connector types are available for POF and H-PCF cables?

We offer a comprehensive range of connectors:

For POF (1mm fiber):
• JIS F05 (TOSLINK) — Standard and Mini, single/double lock, metal or plastic housing
• Avago HFBR-4501/4511/453x (Versatile Link) — including crimpless snap-together design
• Mitsubishi F06 — Push-on connector for MELSECNET
• Hitachi F07PN — Push-on connector for HyLink
• MOST — Automotive specific connector

For H-PCF/HCS (200/230μm fiber):
• JIS F07 — Crimp & cleave connector (Sumitomo CF-2071 compatible)
• Mitsubishi F08 — For MELSECNET H-PCF networks
• V-Pin (Blue) — OFS V-System compatible for 200/230μm HCS
• ST (threaded/BFOC) — For Siemens PROFIBUS and industrial Ethernet
• SMA/SMI — For industrial and medical applications

All connectors can be pre-assembled at our factory or supplied as kits for field termination.

Q5: What is crimp & cleave termination and why is it better?

Crimp & cleave is a field termination method for H-PCF/HCS cables that requires no epoxy, no curing time, and no polishing. The process involves three simple steps:

1. Strip the cable jacket and buffer
2. Crimp the ferrule onto the fiber using a handheld crimp tool
3. Cleave the fiber end with a precision cleaver

The entire process takes less than 2 minutes per connector, compared to 15-30 minutes for traditional epoxy-and-polish termination. Key advantages include:
• No special skills or training required
• No curing oven or polishing film needed
• Consistent, reliable results every time
• Lower total system installation cost
• Ideal for field repairs and large-scale deployments

This termination method is standardized by Sumitomo Electric (CF series connectors) and is widely used in Mitsubishi MELSECNET, Siemens PROFIBUS, and factory automation networks worldwide.

Q6: What are the specifications of your AOC HDMI 2.1 cables?

Our AOC (Active Optical Cable) HDMI 2.1 cables deliver uncompromised performance over long distances:

Video Performance:
• Bandwidth: 48 Gbps (full HDMI 2.1 specification)
• Resolutions: 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, 10K, with DSC support
• Color depth: 10-bit and 12-bit
• HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
• HDCP 2.3 compliant

Audio Performance:
• eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel)
• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and all uncompressed audio formats

Cable Construction:
• 4 optical fibers + 4 copper conductors (hybrid design)
• Active optical conversion chips at both connector ends
• Complete EMI/RFI immunity — no electromagnetic interference
• Available lengths: 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 30m, 50m, 100m (custom available)

Special Types:
• Armored waterproof — for outdoor rental, staging, and harsh environments
• Detachable 2-in-1 — for conduit and pipe installation with removable connector heads
• Plenum rated — for commercial building air handling spaces

Q7: What is MOST fiber and which automotive brands use it?

MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a fiber optic network standard developed in 2000 by a consortium of 16 major European automobile manufacturers. It specifies plastic optical fiber (POF) as the transmission medium for in-vehicle data and infotainment networks.

Technical Specifications:
• Fiber: 1000μm PMMA core with fluorinated polymer cladding
• Numerical Aperture: 0.5
• Jacket: PA (Nylon), standard orange color
• Data rates: MOST25 (25 Mbps), MOST50, MOST150 (150 Mbps), up to 900 Mbps

Automotive Brands Using MOST:
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Land Rover, Volvo, and many other European luxury vehicles.

Applications:
• In-car audio and infotainment systems
• GPS navigation and in-car TV
• Bluetooth telephone integration
• Rear-seat entertainment systems
• Vehicle safety and driver assistance systems

We manufacture MOST-compatible fiber optic patch cords and repair cables for all major vehicle brands. Our cables feature the same orange PA jacket and MOST connector interface as original equipment.

Q8: What industrial applications are H-PCF cables used for?

H-PCF (Hard Plastic Clad Fiber) cables are the workhorse of industrial fiber optic communications, valued for their balance of performance, durability, and ease of installation. Key applications include:

1. Factory Automation & PLC Networks
Mitsubishi MELSECNET/H, Siemens PROFIBUS, CC-Link, and Omron networks use H-PCF for reliable data transmission between PLCs, I/O modules, and line controllers in manufacturing plants.

2. Servo Systems & CNC Machines
Mitsubishi SSCNET III/H servo networks and CNC machine controls rely on H-PCF for high-speed, noise-immune communication between controllers and servo amplifiers.

3. Wind Turbines & Renewable Energy
H-PCF cables provide high-voltage isolation for IGBT/GTO gate drive control in wind turbine converters and solar farm inverters. They are immune to the intense EMI generated by high-power switching equipment.

4. Railway & Transportation
Used in traction inverter control for trams and trains, station display boards, and electronic toll collection systems where lightning and electromagnetic interference are concerns.

5. Security & Surveillance
Video transmission in CCTV camera systems, access control networks, and building automation.

6. Power & Energy
Substation automation, thermal power plant flame monitoring systems, and high-voltage isolation applications.

7. Medical Equipment
Medical imaging and patient monitoring systems where electrical isolation and EMI immunity are critical for patient safety.

Q9: Do you offer OEM/ODM custom manufacturing services?

Yes, OEM/ODM custom manufacturing is one of our core strengths. With 15+ years of fiber optic cable manufacturing experience, we provide comprehensive custom solutions:

Custom Design Capabilities:
• Custom cable lengths from 0.5m to 100m+
• Custom connector types and combinations (e.g., HDMI to DVI, ST to SC)
• Custom jacket materials: PE, PVC, LSZH, PUR, TPU, silicone
• Custom jacket colors and printing (company name, part numbers, logos)
• Custom cable constructions: simplex, duplex, multicore, hybrid (fiber + copper)
• Special cables: armored, waterproof, drag chain/flexible, plenum rated, high-temperature
• Custom connector molding and tooling design

Private Label & Branding:
• Your brand name and logo on cable printing
• Custom packaging with your branding
• Custom part numbers and labeling
• White-label manufacturing with no mention of our factory

Engineering Support:
• Experienced engineering team for custom design consultation
• Prototype development and sample validation
• Technical documentation and drawings
• Compliance testing and certification support

We have successfully delivered custom cable solutions for clients in industrial automation, audio/video, automotive, medical, and telecommunications industries worldwide.

Q10: What is your MOQ and production lead time?

We understand that different customers have different volume needs, and we offer flexible MOQ policies:

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ):
• Standard products (in-stock items): 10 pieces
• Custom-designed cables: 50-100 pieces for first order (negotiable based on complexity)
• Sample orders: 1-5 pieces available for quality evaluation

Production Lead Time:
• Standard in-stock products: 3-5 business days
• Sample production (custom): 7-10 business days
• Bulk production (standard): 10-15 business days
• Bulk production (custom): 15-25 business days
• Expedited production: Available for urgent projects (please inquire)

Shipping:
• Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS): 3-7 business days worldwide
• Air freight: 5-10 business days
• Sea freight: 25-40 business days (for large orders)

From order placement to production to shipment, our professional sales team provides continuous follow-up to ensure on-time delivery. We also offer live product videos so you can see your order being manufactured.

Q11: What certifications and quality control do you have?

Quality is our top priority, and we maintain rigorous quality control throughout the entire manufacturing process:

Certifications:
• ISO 9001 — Quality management system certified
• CE — European Conformity for EMC and safety
• RoHS — Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliant
• FCC — Federal Communications Commission (for AOC active cables)
• UL VW-1 — Flame retardant rating for POF cable jackets (UL file #E89328)

Quality Control Process:
• Incoming inspection: All raw materials (fiber, connectors, chips) are inspected upon arrival
• In-process inspection: QC checks at every production stage — stripping, crimping, cleaving, molding, testing
• 100% final inspection: Every single cable is tested before packaging
• Insertion loss testing: Optical power meter verifies signal loss within specification
• Visual inspection: Microscope inspection of fiber end faces for scratches, contamination, and cleave quality
• Connector retention testing: Pull test verifies connector crimp strength meets specifications
• Environmental testing: Temperature cycling, humidity, and bend radius testing for special cables

Warranty:
All products come with a 90-day warranty from date of purchase against manufacturing defects. Each product is qualified at our factory prior to shipment. We will repair or replace any products found to be defective due to workmanship within the warranty period.

Q12: How do I get samples and a quotation for custom cables?

Getting samples and a quotation is simple and fast:

Step 1: Contact Us
• Email: info@tocpfibercable.com
• WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 177 5158 5921
• Website contact form: https://www.tocpfibercable.com/contact-us/

Step 2: Provide Your Requirements
To give you an accurate quotation, please provide:
• Fiber type (POF / H-PCF / AOC HDMI / glass)
• Connector type(s) at both ends
• Cable length(s) required
• Quantity needed
• Any special requirements (armored, waterproof, custom color, plenum rated, etc.)
• If you have a datasheet, drawing, or sample photo, please share it with us

Step 3: Receive Quotation
Our sales team will respond within 24 hours with a detailed quotation including unit price, total price, production lead time, and shipping options.

Step 4: Order Samples (Optional)
• Sample cost: Typically US$20-50 per sample (refundable on bulk order)
• Sample lead time: 7-10 business days for custom, 3-5 days for standard
• We can provide live videos of sample production and testing

Step 5: Place Bulk Order
Once samples are approved, we proceed with bulk production. We accept T/T, PayPal, Western Union, and Alibaba Trade Assurance for payment.

Still have questions?

Our fiber optic experts are ready to help you find the right cable solution