What Are The Common Optical Fiber Connectors? (Part 1)

Fiber optic connector (also known as a jumper) refers to the connector plug installed on both ends of the light to realize the active connection of the optical path; The transceiver wavelength of the optical modules at both ends of the optical fiber jumper must be the same, that is, the optical modules at both ends of the optical fiber must be of the same wavelength, and the simple way to distinguish is to have the same color of the optical modules. In general, multi-mode optical fibers (orange optical fibers) are used in short-wave optical modules, and single-mode optical fibers (yellow optical fibers) are used in long-wave optical modules to ensure the accuracy of data transmission.

One end with a plug is called a pigtail. The pigtail is mainly used to connect the connectors at both ends of an optical fiber. One end of the pigtail is fused with the optical fiber connector, and the other end is connected to the optical transceiver or optical fiber module through a special connector (FC, ST, SC, LC, or MTRJ) to form an optical data transmission path.

Optical fiber connectors (FC/APC, FC/UPC, SC/UPC, etc.)

After the "/" indicates the fiber section process, that is, the grinding method. The part before/indicates the connector model of the pigtail

1. FC round thread (most used on distribution frames)

2. ST clamp type round type

3. SC card square (most used on routers and switches)

4. PC microsphere grinding and polishing

5. The APC is at an 8 degree Angle and is polished by micro spherical grinding

6. MT-RJ square, one double fiber transceiver integrated

Fiber optic connectors can be divided into: FC, SC, ST, LC, D4, DIN, MU, MT-RJ, and other types, of these eight connectors, we are most commonly seen in the usual LAN engineering and industry is the most used FC, SC, ST, LC, MT-RJ, we only know these interfaces, In order to correctly purchase optical fiber jumper, pigtail, GBIC optical fiber module, SFP (mini GBIC) optical fiber module, optical interface switch, optical transceiver, coupler (or adapter) in the project. The pin-grinding forms of optical transition connectors are FLAT PC, PC, APC, etc.

Transmission projects often use optical jumpers, optical pigtails, adapters, etc.

Common ones are FC (commonly known as round head), SC (commonly known as square head), and LC. The former FC is the abbreviation of Ferrule Connector, indicating that its external strengthening parts are made of metal sleeves, and the fastening method is turnbuckle; PC at the back indicates that the docking mode of the joint is plane docking, PC is the abbreviation of Physical Connection, indicating that the butt face is physical contact, that is, the end face is convex arch structure, APC and PC are similar, but a special grinding method is used, PC is a sphere, APC is a tilted 8-degree sphere, the index is better than PC. At present, FC/PC type is commonly used in telecommunication networks, and FC/APC is mostly used in cable TV systems. Generally written as FC or PC refers to the FC/PC optical connector.

SC shell adopts a molding process, made of cast glass fiber plastic, rectangular shape; The plug sleeve (also known as the pin) is made of precision ceramic, the coupling sleeve is a metal slit sleeve structure, the structure size is the same as the FC type, and the end surface is treated by PC or APC type grinding; The fastening method is to use the plug and pull pin latch type, without rotating head. It is often used in data engineering. Generally, SC refers to SC/PC.

The LC fiber optic connector is made of a modular jack (RJ) mechanism. The size of the pin and barrel used is half of the common SC, FC, and other sizes. LC is commonly used on high-density optical interface boards of communication devices.

Various optical connectors and their corresponding adapters, also known as flanges, are used in the ODF frame for optical fiber connection.

FC/PC fiber jumper (informal name is double-ended pigtail), English name PATCH CORD is a soft fiber with two optical fiber connectors, used for the connection between the device and the ODF and the jump between the ODF. The optical jumper color is yellow, indicating a single-mode jumper.

MTRJ-SC optical fiber jumper. The color of the optical jumper is orange, indicating a multi-mode jumper.

In addition, there are PIGTAIL fibers for the end of the cable, English name PIGTAIL CORD, one end is fused with the cable, and one end is fixed on the ODF. In production, in order to facilitate testing, are produced as jumpers, that is, both ends have optical fiber connectors, construction, and cut from the middle, a jumper becomes two pigtails. LC optical fiber connectors are small square optical fiber connectors.

Optical fiber modules: Generally support hot swap.

GBIC Giga Bitrate Interface Converter Uses SC or ST fiber interfaces

SFP small package GBIC, the optical fiber used is an LC type

Optical fiber used:

Single mode: L, wavelength 1310 Single mode long distance LH wavelength 1310,1550

Multimode: SM wavelength 850

SX/LH indicates that single-mode or multi-mode fibers can be used.

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