Different types of fiber optic cable connectors
We have seen the basics of fiber optics and different types of fiber optic cables. But it is a sense of knowing that there will be two ends for fiber optic cables and each ends function will be to transfer/receive the data either to transceiver or other fiber optic cables. Isn’t it our duty to make sure that there won’t be any data loss or security issues when this happens? How effectively we can do this? The answer is with the help of different connectors the data is exchanged between cables or to different sources.
There are several types of fiber optic connectors available today. Some of the most common are ST(Straight Tip), SC(Square/Standard/Subscriber connector), MU(Miniature unit), FC(Fiber channel/Ferrule connector), MT-RJ(Mechanical Transfer – Registered Jack), and LC(Little/Lucent/local connector), MPO(Multi-fiber push-on connectors)style connectors. All of these types of connectors can be used with either multimode or single-mode fiber cables. A simple table can give you all of the ideas related to this.
The above table contains all the major fiber optic cables with different properties.
A Lucent Connector (LC) is a connector with a 1.25 mm ferrule, half the size of an SC, FC, or ST connector(ferrule size is 2.5 mm). Because of this advantage, LC Connectors are frequently used as their small footprint makes them ideal for high-density installations.
So I am not digging into details of each of it further for you. Do you have any questions and queries? Feel free to comment and happy to clarify.
Note: The colors of the connectors could differ in various scenarios.
What if we can provide a more secure and reduce signal lose in at the tip(polish) of the connector? If you have noticed in the above table, the column ‘polish’ defines these types. Isn’t it worth to implement that also when considering the importance of your data? Let us have a look into that concepts also as this is also part of fiber optic connectors.
Have a comment or points to be reviewed? Let us grow together. Feel free to comment.
Hey Thanks Livin, your articles were very informative and easy to read ! I say I’m retired from IT work at now 67 years old, but I seem to get involved with some project. I did a little Fiber optic work before retirement and was hoping to use this in my A/V and IP camera work. It’s just crazy how many Fiber optic connectors were created, where was the regulation, no standards. Like the wild west. I guess like most things started. Just so confusing when ordering just the right fiber cable with connectors to run between equipment racks and finding the right Fiber optic boxes to do the job. Anyway, thanks for the info to help clarify this confusing Fiber world.
Tom L, SI NY