Do you have the right connectors for tomorrow’s fiber networks?

Grade B – the standard for stable and future ready fiber infrastructure

As data speeds and capacity requirements increase, every component in the network becomes critical. Fiber connectors with inconsistent quality or excessive attenuation can limit performance and create network instability.

That is why Nexans is now implementing a full transition to Grade B – a quality level designed to meet today’s requirements for performance, operational reliability and long‑term functionality.

Why Grade B is becoming increasingly important

Digitalisation, cloud services, AI applications and always‑connected systems are driving a rapidly growing demand for high bandwidth and stable transmission. The requirements are particularly high in environments such as data centres, where large volumes of data must be handled quickly and securely around the clock.

As networks are used for more demanding applications, even small variations in attenuation can have greater consequences – especially at high data rates and over longer fiber links.

In this context, Grade B has become an established quality level that meets the increased demands for stability and reliable performance.

What is Grade B?

Grade B is an internationally defined quality classification for fiber connectors in accordance with IEC 61753‑1. The classification involves stricter manufacturing requirements and lower permitted attenuation compared with previous standard levels. The result is more consistent performance, allowing more light to pass through the connector with less signal loss.

The practical benefits of Grade B

Lower attenuation provides greater margins in the network’s attenuation budget and contributes to a more stable network. This reduces the risk of installations operating close to approval limits, which in turn can reduce the need for troubleshooting and re‑measurement in the field.

Grade B can also contribute to more consistent and stable return loss in practice, although return loss is primarily influenced by connector type and polishing, such as UPC or APC. Overall, Grade B offers a more robust solution that can help reduce total cost of ownership over the network’s lifetime.

In short, Grade B means:

• More stable networks – lower signal loss enables consistent and reliable performance
• Greater safety margins – reduces the risk of limit values during installation
• Less follow‑up work – fewer measurements and less troubleshooting in the field
• Easy transition – fully compatible with existing fiber infrastructure

Nexans introduces Grade B as standard

Nexans is now implementing a full transition to Grade B as the standard across its entire range of contracted fiber products in the Nordic region. This includes ODFs, assemblies and pre‑terminated fiber cables. By focusing on Grade B‑classified solutions, Nexans ensures a consistent product portfolio with high quality at every stage.