A pigtail is a short fiber with a factory-polished connector on one end and bare fiber on the other. In this article, we will discuss the differences between fiber pigtails and fiber optic cables and provide insights into splicing methods. Can a patch cord. While the two assemblies may appear similar, their practical applications differ significantly. These cables come in various configurations, including. When you build or upgrade a fiber network, the same four words pop up everywhere— fiber optic (bare fiber), pigtail, patch cord, optical cable. They're related, but they are not interchangeable. Mixing them up drives costs higher, increases loss, and slows your rollout.