# Do patch cords become stiff in winter?

**URL:** <https://forum.ofscn.net/t/do-patch-cords-become-stiff-in-winter/1680>\
**Category:** OFSCN Technical Knowledge Base\
**Tags:** fbg-technology\
**Created:** [April 10, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/do-patch-cords-become-stiff-in-winter/1680 "2026-04-10T14:36:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![frostweaver](https://forum.ofscn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@frostweaver](https://forum.ofscn.net/u/frostweaver)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/do-patch-cords-become-stiff-in-winter/1680/1 "2026-04-10T14:36:34Z")

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In northern regions where temperatures drop to tens of degrees below zero, will the jacket of a standard patch cord freeze and crack?

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**Author:** ![OFSCN\_Tech\_Expert](https://forum.ofscn.net/user_avatar/forum.ofscn.net/ofscn_tech_expert/32/199_2.png) [@OFSCN\_Tech\_Expert](https://forum.ofscn.net/u/OFSCN_Tech_Expert)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/do-patch-cords-become-stiff-in-winter/1680/2 "2026-04-10T14:36:39Z")

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It depends on the material used for the outer jacket of the patch cord.

Standard patch cords typically use **PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)** or **LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)** as jacket materials. These materials have a glass transition temperature that makes them significantly stiffer and more brittle as temperatures drop below 0^{\circ}\text{C}.

In northern regions where temperatures can reach -20^{\circ}\text{C} to -40^{\circ}\text{C}, a standard patch cord will experience the following:

1. **Hardening and Stiffening:** The plasticizers in the jacket material lose their effectiveness, causing the cable to become rigid and difficult to bend.
2. **Stress Cracking:** If the cable is moved or bent while in this “frozen” state, the jacket is highly susceptible to cracking, which exposes the internal optical fiber to moisture and physical damage.
3. **Signal Loss:** The stiffening of the jacket can exert uneven mechanical stress (micro-bending) on the optical fiber inside, leading to increased attenuation or signal interruption.

### Technical Solution from OFSCN®

For extreme cold environments, standard commercial patch cords are not recommended. You should use cables designed with low-temperature resistant materials.

**OFSCN®** provides specialized solutions for such conditions, specifically our **Stainless Steel Seamless Tube Series**. Unlike plastic jackets, the stainless steel protection does not change its mechanical properties in sub-zero temperatures.

For sensing applications in cold regions, we recommend:  
**[OFSCN® 200℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/high-temperature-200.html)**

**Technical Advantages:**

- **Temperature Range:** Stable performance from -200^{\circ}\text{C} to +600^{\circ}\text{C} (depending on the internal fiber coating).
- **Mechanical Protection:** The seamless stainless steel tube provides 100% protection against freezing, moisture, and rodent damage.
- **No Material Aging:** It does not become brittle or crack regardless of the thermal cycles.

You can find more detailed specifications regarding low-temperature resistance here:  
[OFSCN® Special Fiber Optic Cables](https://www.ofscn.org)