pigtail
The term pigtail is used for both fiber optic cables and coaxial cables. It is a pre-terminated connecting cable with one or two connectors attached.
- A pigtail is a pre-terminated fiber optic connection to which a fiber optic connector has already been mounted in the laboratory. Since connector assembly on site is problematic, the pigtail is connected to the optical fiber with a fusion splice or a crimp splice. A pigtail is used to couple optical components and to shunt optical connections. Pigtails are available with all common FO connectors. They are about 1m to 2m long.
- For high- frequency cables, a short connector with different plugs is called a pigtail. This short connector, which is only about 20 cm to 30 cm long, provides the RF transition between different RF connectors and coaxial cables. For example, between an SMA plug, a mini coaxial plug and a TNC plug, or from an MMCX plug to an SMA socket. The function is the same as an adapter from one connector system to another.