Fiber optic connector that comes in various configurations and types is considered as an important component for the fiber optic cable. Generally speaking, different fiber cable connector types can be categorized according to different standards like the utilization, fiber count, fiber mode, transmission method, the transmission media, the boot length, the polishing type and the termination way, etc. Follow this article to classify fiber connector types.
The following fiber connector types, such as LC/SC/MTP/MPO/ST fiber optic connectors, require an adapter panel when connecting. Fiber cables with these optical connector types are usually used in data centers, telecom rooms, enterprise networks and so on.
A Lucent Connector (LC), as one SFF (small form factor) connector, possesses a 1.25 mm ferrule. The small footprint design gives these fiber optic connectors huge popularity in datacoms and makes them more ideal for high-density applications. Many tend to move to high-efficiency cabling with LC fiber connectors nowadays. LC fiber optic connector is considered the most commonly-used connector at present.
SC fiber connector was the first connector chosen for the TIA-568 standard and is a snap-in connector that latches with a simple push-pull motion. "SC" stands for "Square Connector" due to the "square-shaped" connector body. It adopts a 2.5mm ferrule, which is twice the size of the previous LC connector. SC fiber optic connector is ideally suited for datacoms and telecom applications including point to point and passive optical networking. Due to its excellent performance, fiber optic SC connector remains the second most common connector for polarization maintaining applications.
Unlike the previous two fiber optic conneceors, the MTP/MPO fiber connector is a multi-fiber connector and larger than other connectors, which combines fibers from 12 to 24 fibers in a single rectangular ferrule. It's often used in 40G and 100G high-bandwidth optical parallel connections. The MTP/MPO fiber connectors are complicated due to the key-up and key-down, male and female issues. You can refer to our white paper Understanding Polarity in MTP/MPO System to have a better understanding.
ST (Straight Tip) fiber optic connector was created and licensed by AT&T shortly after the arrival of the FC type. The ST optic connector holds the fiber with a ceramic, spring-loaded 2.5mm ferrule that stays in place with a half-twist bayonet mount. They are usually used in both long and short distance applications such as campuses and building multimode fiber applications, corporate network environments, as well as military applications.
"FC" refers to the Ferrule Connector. FC fiber optic connector was the first optical fiber connector to use a ceramic ferrule. Unlike the plastic-bodied SC and LC connector, it utilizes a round screw-type fitment made from nickel-plated or stainless steel. The FC fiber optic connector end face relies on an alignment key for correct insertion and is then tightened into the adaptor/jack using a threaded collet. Despite the additional complexity both in manufacturing and installation, the FC connectors still provide the choice in precision instruments such as OTDRs, as well as the choice for single mode fiber. It was initially intended for datacoms and telecoms applications but was used less since the introduction of the SC and LC fiber optic connectors. The usage of both ST and FC connectors have declined in recent years.
The abovementioned five fiber optic connectors are the most commonly used ones, which are introduced based on their popularities from wide to usual. The figure below shows the different connector style:
Figure1: LC vs SC vs MTP vs ST vs FC Connector
Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack (MT-RJ) connector is a duplex connector that uses pins for alignment and has male and female versions. Constructed with plastic housing and provide for accurate alignment via their metal guide pins and plastic ferrules. Compared to a standard jack, the size of MT-RJ connector is slightly smaller, making it easier to connect and disconnect. In addition, MT-RJ fiber optic connector provides a lower termination cost and greater density for both electronics and cable management hardware compared to other singer-fiber terminations.
Like a miniature SC with a 1.25mm ferrule. Featuring a simple push-pull design and compact miniature body, the MU fiber optic connector is used for compact multiple optical connectors and a self-retentive mechanism for backplane applications. You can get a customized high power MT-RJ/MU fiber optic connector in FS.
The DIN connector is round with pins arranged in a circular pattern. It encompasses several types of cables that plug into an interface to connect devices. Typically, a full-sized DIN connector has three to 14 pins with a diameter of 13.2 millimeters. It is applied for PC keyboards, MIDI instruments, and other specialized equipment.
The E Connector is a push-pull coupling mechanism with an automatic metal shutter in the connector as dust and laser beam protection. One-piece design for easy and quick termination, E fiber optic connector is used for high safety and high power applications.
Compared to the above fiber optic connector types, Rosenberger Q-RMC and NEX10 connector adopt push-pull quick locking mechanism, which can realize quicker connection without using an adapter panel. They are designed for harsh environment use.
Q-RMC, short for Rosenberger Multifiber Connector, is a new and robust industrial connector with the multi-fiber MT ferrule of the MTP®/MPO connector that can hold 24 fiber cores. This kind of very small form factor connector includes a push-pull closing mechanism, which makes the optic connector to be connected simpler and quicker even in tight areas, thus reducing installation times and the associated costs. The Q-RMC connector fulfills the requirements for protection class IP67, so it is waterproof, dustproof and resistant to corrosion. What's more, the Q-RMC connector is suitable for use in areas with extreme temperatures thanks to its' operating and storage temperature is up to -40~80&#;. So, fiber cables with Q-RMC connector can be used for industrial site, mine field, mobile communication (FTTA), 5G Base Station, broadcast, smart grid cabling and so on.
The Rosenberger NEX10 connector is suitable for an outdoor harsh environment, and it is characterized by compact size design plus waterproof, dustproof and anti-corrosion. This connector type supports screw-type and a push-pull locking mechanism. The push-pull quick lock helps in achieving solid installation and easy removal without any tools. For the screw type plug, there is a screw-locking mechanism, ideal for the plug and socket keeps firm connection. Nowadays, FS introduces the industrial fiber optic patch cable with Rosenberger NEX10 connector, and its' operating & storage temperature for connectors & outdoor cables lie between -40~80&#;, which is often used in industrial site, Mine field, small sells, distributed antenna systems(DAS), In-building architecture, and MIMO.
Figure2: Rosenberger Q-RMC and NEX10 Connector
Both single mode and multimode Q-RMC/NEX10 connectors are available in FS. And you can also choose optical fiber type, cable jacket according to your needs to get a customized industrial fiber optic cable.
A simplex connection means signals are sent in one direction&#;a signal is transmitted through two simplex connectors and a simplex fiber cable from device A to device B, which cannot return from device B to device A via the same route. Contrariwise, the revised transmission can be achieved through duplex connectors and duplex fiber cable, which is called a duplex connection. In addition, a simplex fiber optic connector is often connected with one strand of glass or plastic fiber, while the duplex fiber optic connector needs to connect with two strands of fibers.
Figure3: Simplex vs Duplex Fiber Connector
Single mode fiber allows only one light mode to pass through at a time, while multimode fiber can propagate multiple modes at a time. Diversity has an impact on single mode fiber connectors and multimode fiber connectors on account of the combination with the corresponding type of optical fibers. However, with technologies getting advanced, fiber optic connectors like SC, LC, and FC, provided by fiber optic connector factories are compatible with single mode and multimode fiber cables.
As for the boot length, there are standard boot structure and short boot structure. A standard boot can protect the cable and the connector from being damaged, wires being dislodged from the connector body, etc. While a short boot has the same function, it is distinguished by a shorter boot structure. For places where there is limited space for connector, short boot cables can be the ideal choice. The short boot structure design can make the cable easily pass through the narrow space without sacrificing performance, making the installation and maintenance of the fiber optic cables more efficient.
Figure4: Short Boot vs Standard Boot
According to the polishing type, optical fiber cable connectors can be divided into three types: PC, UPC, and APC connectors. The color code provides a convenient method to identify these three types of connectors: PC's color code is black, the color code for the APC fiber connector is green, and the UPC's connector is blue. The structure and the performance of the three fiber optic connectors also vary, which reflects on the values of insertion loss and return loss. PC vs UPC vs APC, this article shed light on these connector types and their differences for you.
Figure5: PC vs UPC vs APC Connector
Field termination, as its name implies, is to terminate the end of the fiber in the field. The procedure includes strip the cable, prep the epoxy, apply the connector, polish, inspect and test for the connection, requiring not only a large number of tools but also skilled technicians to conduct the termination.
Factory termination, also called factory pre-termination, refers to cables and fibers terminated with a connector in the factory. The pre-terminated cables come in pre-measured lengths with the fiber optic connectors already installed with factory-level precision and quality assurance. Reducing the cumbersome process and tools, factory pre-terminated solutions are easier to install and require less technical skills.
Do single mode connectors work on multimode cables?
Yes. you can use single mode connectors on multimode, but not the other way around.
If I have an SC connector installed and find that what I need is LC type, how can I do?
In this kind of situation, a common solution is that you can purchase an SC-SC coupler, then purchase a pre-terminated SC to LC patch cable. Adapters are also available like LC-LC or LC-SC.
What types of fiber optic connectors are available on the market?
The common types of fiber optic connectors are LC, SC, MTP/MPO, ST, and FC. LC connector, as a main fiber optic connector, tends to be the most preferred one due to its compact size, high performance, and ease of use. In addition, for multi-fiber connectors, the MTP/MPO connectors are also gaining popularity for 40G and 100G data transmissions.
Remateable connections are made possible by Fiber Connectors. Fiber Connectors are therefore generally used where &#;exibility is needed at termination points when an optical signal is routed.
Examples would include connections from receivers to equipment pigtails, or normal termination, or when re-con&#;guring systems. Remateable connections make it easy to meet changing customer requirements by simplifying system recon&#;gurations.
Polish and Epoxy Connectors
Polish and Epoxy style connectors were originally used for termination and these are still being installed extensively. These connectors offer a wide range of choices including SC, ST, LC, FC, SMA, D4, MT-RJ and MU. Some of their advantages are listed below:
Polish and No-Epoxy or Pre-Loaded Epoxy Connectors
The main advantage of these connectors is that they are easy to install. This translates to lower skill levels needed to handle them. These connectors can be divided into two types:
The &#;ber is stabilized by an internal crimp mechanism and these connectors are available in SC, ST and FC styles.
No-Polish and No-Epoxy
Simple design and low cost are the hallmarks of these connectors. As a result, training and installation costs are greatly reduced, while fast restorations are enabled.
They are available in SC, ST, LC, FC and MT-RJ connector styles.
Numerous connectors, both standard and proprietary, are used in the &#;eld of telecommunication equipment, data lines, television and cable, and other industrial fields. The connectors described in this text are the ones that have been used most extensively in the past, and many are still being used to this day. Various connectors that could potentially have a big influence in the future are also discussed.
Some of the common connector types are listed below:
A brief description of the connectors is as follows:
The now obsolete Bionic connector was one of the first connectors employed in fiber optic communications links. This connector can be easily identified by the tapering sleeve that &#;xes on to the fiber optic connector. The narrowing end enables the sleeve to be located on the connector properly. The connection is secured by the guided rings that are provided complete with caps. These &#;t over the ferrule and screw onto the sleeve that is threaded.
Figure 1: Bionic connector
Simple, rugged and low cost, SC connectors use a ceramic ferrule to deliver accurate alignment of the SMF. The SC connector comes with a locking tab that enables push on / pull off operation.
At the time of writing the most popular choice for such equipment like Fiber Multiplexers, GPON and EPON ONU&#;s, Fiber Media Converters and more.
Figure 2: SC connector
Figure 3: ADnet&#;s Gigabit Fiber Media Converter with Single Mode Dual fiber port using SC connector (UPC type).
Although the FC connector was widely used in &#;ber optic networks until of late, its use is dwindling fast. This connector uses a threaded container and a position locatable notch to achieve exact locating of the SMF in relation to the receiver and the optical source. Once the connector is installed, its position is maintained with total precision.
FC connector is pretty common choice for example in Video over Fiber Transmission Equipment.
Figure 4: ADnet&#;s AHD/TVI/CVI over fiber 1 port transmitter with FC connector.
Figure 5: FC connector
The ST connector&#;s keyed bayonet design is similar to that of a BNC (Bayonet Nut Connector or Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connector. The connector is used widely for MMF and SMF FOC and is extremely easy to use. The ST connector is manufactured in two versions &#; the ST and the ST-II. Both types are keyed and spring loaded, and use a &#;push-in and twist&#; mechanism.
Figure 6: ST connector
In some cases, if Multimode type cable is required, some of our customers order RCA audio over fiber converter, with ST connectors:
Figure 6: ST connector on RCA audio over fiber converter
The obsolete SMA connector was the forerunner to the ST connector which we discussed above.. This connector was eventually replaced by the ST, and later by SC connectors.
Wirenet Product Page
Figure 7: SMA connector
The Lucent Connector, sometimes referred to as the Little Connector, is a small form factor FOC that uses a 1.25 mm ferrule. There are 3 different types of LC connectors:
If you had used any SFP module, you have sure seen this connector.
Figure 8: LC connector
LC connector is always present on SFP&#;s, and if some equipment uses SFP as transmitter, like for example our USB over fiber transmitters, then you can recognize it easily:
Figure 8: LC connector on USB over Fiber Transmitter set from AD-net
There are relatively fewer plastic connectors available when compared to glass fiber. These connectors are cheaper and are primarily designed for easy application. Polished and epoxy options are generally not available for plastic connectors.
Plastic FOC connectors are available in both standard and proprietary designs. Although SMA or ST connectors are mainly designed for use with glass, they can also be used with plastic FOC.
Figure 9: POF connectors
ESCON connectors were developed by IBM for interfacing peripheral storage devices, including tape drives, to their mainframes. ESCON is a half-duplex serial interface that uses FOC.
Figure 10: ESCON connectors
FDDI provides data transmission at 100 Mbps in a dual ring token local area network within a 200-kilometer range. The FDDI connector connects network equipments to a wall plug. The connector contains a 2.5mm ferrule that can mate onto ST and SC connectors by making use of adapters.
Figure 11: FDDI connectors
The Opti-Jack duplex connector resembles the universal RJ-45 connector. The package contains two ST type ferrules and is a rugged plug-and-jack (female / male) connector.
Figure 11: Opti-Jack connectors
The LX-5 provides high density, high performance and reliable connections. This connector uses automatic metal shutter technology in a standardized small form factor package with a 1.25 mm ferrule. These connectors are designed for use in CATV applications as well as in modern day high performance
telecommunication networks. The LX-5 achieves high packing density because of its small form factor, while automatic metal shutter delivers enhanced safety and high performance. At 0.1 db, the insertion loss of this connector is one of the lowest in the market.
Figure 12: LX-5 connectors
The Volition connector is unique in that it does use a ferrule. This plug-and-jack duplex connector employs a &#;V&#; shaped groove to align the fibers.
Figure 13: Volition connectors
The single polymer ferrule duplex MT-RJ connector includes alignment. It is available in female / male connectors, or a plug-and-jack format.
Figure 14: MT-RJ connector
MU Connectors have a reduced footprint and are new generation connectors used mainly in dense applications. The connector is square and employs a push-pull mating mechanism. The different variations of this connector are listed below:
This connector is used for SONET, SDH, LAN, WDM, CATV as well as ATM applications.
Figure 15: MU connector
The MT connector is a ribbon cable that has 12 &#;ber connectors. They are used for factory terminated cable assemblies and cabling systems.
Figure 16: MT connector
Modern day telecommunication networks increasingly make use of E connectors. The inclusion of an integrated spring loaded shutter is a unique feature of this connector. It protects the ferrule from dirt, dust and scratches. As this connector uses a monobloc ceramic ferrule, problems associated with different co-efficient of expansion are eliminated. The E is a latched push-pull locking connector. The E is trademarked by Diamond SA, based in Losone Switzerland.
This connector is available in the following variations:
The major advantages of this connector are the enhanced safety and high performance due the shutter mechanism and the monobloc ferrule. The E connector supports color keying and its return loss of 0.1 db is one of the lowest in the industry. This connector is used in broadband applications, telecommunication networks, LAN (Fiber-In-the-loop [FITL], Fiber CATV, Fiber-to-the-Desk [FTTD], Fiber-to-the-Home [FTTH] and data networks.
Figure 17: E connector
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