If boiled in 100 degree Celsius boiling water, can this jumper wire still transmit signals?
In short, it all depends on whether you are using a standard fiber optic patch cord or a professional “high-temperature resistant” fiber optic patch cord.
I. Standard Fiber Optic Patch Cords: Cannot function properly in 100℃ boiling water
If you are using common fiber optic patch cords on the market (e.g., PVC or LSZH jacketed patch cords typically used in server room environments), boiling them in 100℃ water will likely interrupt signal transmission and cause permanent damage to the patch cord.
The physical and engineering reasons behind this are as follows:
- Thermal Melting and Degradation of Outer Jacket and Coating:
The PVC or LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) outer jackets of standard fiber optic patch cords, as well as the standard Acrylate coating on the fiber surface, are typically designed for long-term operating temperatures below 75℃ or 85℃. In 100℃ boiling water, the jacket will rapidly soften and deform, while the coating may undergo thermal oxidation or hydrolysis, losing its mechanical protection for the quartz glass core. - Microbending Loss Due to Thermal Expansion Mismatch:
At high temperatures, the linear thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) of the plastic outer jacket, strength members (like aramid yarn), and the quartz fiber differ greatly. The drastic expansion and contraction of the outer jacket apply uneven axial and radial stress to the fiber, causing severe microbending. This leads to signal light leaking into the cladding at these microbend points, resulting in significant attenuation and eventual signal interruption. - Failure of Connector Adhesive:
Standard fiber optic connectors (such as FC, SC, LC) use ordinary epoxy resin to cure the fiber inside. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of such adhesives is typically low. In 100℃ boiling water, they will soften and fail. This can cause the quartz fiber within the ferrule to microscopically “retract” or “protrude” under stress, disrupting the physical contact (PC) of the mating end faces, leading to a surge in insertion loss or a severe degradation of return loss.
II. Professional “High-Temperature Resistant” Fiber Optic Patch Cords: Transmit signals perfectly and stably
If you are using professional “high-temperature resistant” fiber optic patch cords, they will not only transmit signals normally and stably in 100℃ boiling water but will also experience virtually no physical impact on their optical performance (such as insertion loss and return loss).
Dachengshengyong (OFSCN®) has developed several series of industrial-grade high-temperature resistant fiber optic patch cords for high-temperature and harsh environments. Their operating temperature lower limits are well below freezing, while their upper limits can range from 120℃ to 700℃:
1. OFSCN® 120℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord
- Operating Temperature Range: -40℃ to 120℃ (perfectly covers the 100℃ boiling water environment).
- Physical Structure: Composed of high-temperature resistant fiber optic connectors (FC, ST, etc.), a 0.9mm seamless stainless steel tube, and fiber with a 120℃ high-temperature acrylate coating. The stainless steel armored tube provides excellent mechanical protection and prevents direct water shear, while the 120℃ rated temperature ensures continuous operation in boiling water without any attenuation.
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2. OFSCN® 200℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord
- Operating Temperature Range: -200℃ to 200℃.
- Physical Structure: Uses Polyimide-coated fiber, a 0.9mm seamless stainless steel tube, and connectors with specialized high-temperature curing adhesive. Polyimide material exhibits extremely high thermal stability and chemical resistance at high temperatures, rendering it completely unaffected by a 100℃ steam environment.
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3. OFSCN® 300℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord
- Operating Temperature Range: -270℃ to 300℃.
- Physical Structure: Consists of connectors resistant to 300℃, a 0.9mm seamless stainless steel tube, and 300℃ Polyimide fiber, suitable for more extreme industrial thermal flow and steam environments.
- Product Images:
4. OFSCN® 700℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord
- Operating Temperature Range: -270℃ to 700℃.
- Physical Structure: Employs the most advanced Gold-coated fiber, a seamless stainless steel tube, and a special ultra-high temperature curing process. The metallic gold coating not only offers extremely high temperature resistance but also provides a completely impermeable physical barrier against water and hydrogen, serving as the ultimate solution for extremely harsh combined environments of moisture and high temperature.
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Conclusion
If the test involves immersion in 100℃ boiling water or high-humidity environments, it is strongly recommended to use high-temperature resistant stainless steel armored fiber optic patch cords with a rating of at least 120℃ or 200℃. Dachengshengyong’s high-temperature patch cord series, through high-standard stainless steel structural design and temperature-resistant material matching, can ensure zero-attenuation signal transmission in such environments.
For more specifications on Dachengshengyong high-temperature fiber optic patch cords, you can visit the OFSCN® Fiber Optic Patch Cord Product Official Category Link.