Introduction to Fiber Optic Adapter

A small equipment used for connecting optical fiber cables together is often called as fiber optic adapter or fiber optic coupler. Although they may shape differently, they have the same function. A fiber optic adapter allows fiber optic cables to be attached to each other singly or in a large network, permitting many devices to communicate at once. According to different shapes and structures, fiber optic adapters can be classified in several types, such as FC fiber optic adapter, SC fiber optic adapter, ST fiber optic adapter, LC fiber optic adapter and so on. And this article will particularly introduce these four kinds of fiber optic adapters.

FC Fiber Optic Adapter

FC fiber optic adapter uses a metal sleeve to strengthen its outer structure and can be fastened by a turnbuckle. It also adopts the ceramic pins as its butt end. Therefore, FC fiber optic adapter is able to sustain a stable optical and mechanical performance for a long time. It can be divided into square type, oval type and round type in single-mode and multimode versions. FC fiber optic adapter is easy to operate but sensitive to dust, so it has been enhanced today by using spherical butt end without changing its external structure.

SC Fiber Optic Adapter

Covered with a rectangular shell, SC fiber optic adapter has the same configuration and size of the coupling pin cover as FC fiber optic adapter. From its structures, SC fiber optic adapter can be classified into simplex standard, duplex standard and shuttered standard. From its materials, metal and plastic are commonly used for SC fiber optic adapter. SC fiber optic adapter enables a high precision alignment with a low insertion, return loss and back reflection.

ST Fiber Optic Adapter

ST fiber optic adapter has a key snap-lock structure to ensure accuracy when connecting the cables together. The repeatability and durability of ST fiber optic adapter is improved by the metal key. With a precised ceramic or copper cover, ST fiber optic adapter can also keep a high optical and mechanical performance for a long time. It has two standards of simplex and duplex and uses the metal or plastic housing.

LC Fiber Optic Adapter

LC fiber optic adapter adopts the modular jack latch mechanism which is easy to operate. Using the smaller pins and sleeves, LC fiber optic adapter greatly increases the density of fiber optic connector. There are three types of LC fiber optic adapter in simplex, duplex and quad structures.

Applicable End Faces

Different fiber optic adapters supports different ends faces. PC (physical contact), UPC (ultra physical contact) and APC (angle physical contact) are the polish style used for fiber optic adapters. ST fiber optic adapter is only available with PC and UPC styles. But except ST, the rest three fiber optic adapters support all the polish styles. Moreover, the color of fiber optic adapters can be used to define different end faces of PC, UPC and APC. For example, as for SC and LC fiber optic adapters, there are cream, blue and green colors which correspond to PC, UPC and APC end faces.

Application

In order to help the signal transmission, fiber optic adapter is widely used for telecommunications system, cable TV network, LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), FTTH (fiber to the home), video transmission and instrument testing. It is no doubt that fiber optic adapter is of great help for network communications.

Conclusion

Fiber optic adapter provides convenience for fiber cable connections. FC, SC, ST, LC fiber optic adapters are parts of the adapter family and are widely adopted in practical use. Small device like fiber optic adapter really helps a lot for different applications in life, because it greatly improves the working efficiency.

The article originates from http://www.fiber-optic-cable-sale.com/introduction-to-fiber-optic-adapter.html.

How Much Do You Know About Fiber Connectors

Fiber connector is an inseparable part for connecting optic fiber with network devices. An optical fiber connector terminates the end of an optical fiber, and enables quicker connection and disconnection than splicing. The connectors mechanically couple and align the cores of fibers so light can pass. Without fiber connector, data can not be easily transmitted, therefore it is a better way for fiber optic transmission. But how much do you know about it?

Four Commonly Used Fiber Connectors

Here is the introduction to some commonly used fiber connectors:

SC Connector  SC connector, being square, has a nickname of "Square Connector", which some people believe to be the correct name, rather than the more official name of "Subscriber Connector". Other terms often used for SC connectors are “Set and Click” and “Stab and Click”. It is a snap-in connector used for high performance transmission. First invented by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1980s. SC connector has a 2.5mm ceramic ferrule for providing accurate alignment. It is now one of the most popular connectors in the world because of its cheaper price, easier push-off installation, high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.

LC Connector  As a widely used fiber optic connector for jointing equipment with optic fiber, the LC connector solution was developed in response to customer needs for smaller and easier-to-use fiber optic connectivity. LC stands for “Lucent Connector”, and sometimes to be called as “Little Connector”. The shape of LC looks like SC connector but is usually considered to be the replacement of SC connector due to a 1.25mm ferrule, which is only half the size of SC connector. LC connector is available for the push-pull function which is convenient for installation and uninstallation and is favored for single-mode.

ST Connector  ST connector refers to having a “Straight Tip” because of its tipped shape on the top. Other names including "Set and Twist", "Stab and Twist", and "Single Twist" are referring to how it is inserted. It is a quick release bayonet style connector with a 2.5mm keyed ferrule. Developed by American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T), ST connector is thought to be the first actual standard connector for most commercial wiring which took the leading role of industry in the late 80s and early 90s. But due to its usage limitation for single-mode fiber and FTTH, it is less welcomed than before.

 

FC Connector  FC connector is short for “Ferrule Connector” or “Fiber Channel”. It is a screw coupling type connector with 2.5mm ferrule which was also the first optical fiber connector to use a ceramic ferrule. The FC standard is made for NTT installations, developed by Nippon Electric Co. (NEC). But since the growth of SC and LC connectors, its usage has been declined.

Applications

The application of fiber optic connectors can reach various aspects of the telecommunication industry. They are applied to the quicker connection and disconnection between optic fiber and equipment, and different types connectors also have different practical areas. SC connector is widely used in datacom and telecom, Gigabit-Capable PON (GPON), Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON), GBIC offering an excellent packing density. And LC connector is replacing SC connector for the high-density connection on small form-factor pluggable transceivers, such as SFP, SFP+ and XFP transceivers. ST connector is usually used for short distance applications and long line systems in datacom and telecom premise installation and test lab. With the screw-on connection, FC connector is suitable for datacom, telecom, measurement equipment, single-mode lasers, especially for high vibration environments for that the spring-loaded ferrule can be firmly mated.

Conclusion

On the whole, different types of fiber connectors provide an easier and quicker solution for connecting and disconnecting the optic fiber with network devices. Fiberstore provides cost-effective but high quality connectors with many different choices, you can find any type of fiber connectors you want in the website. So what are you waiting for? Please come to FS.COM to start your new shopping journey.


The article originates from http://www.chinacablesbuy.com/how-much-do-you-know-about-fiber-connectors.html.

Fiber optic connector is the terminal end of an optic fiber, it is easier and faster for people to joint different devices with connector instead of splicing which needs other tools for connection. The connector allows light pass through optic fiber. There are many types of connectors, such as SC connector, LC connector, FC connector, ST connector, and MTP/MPO connector. Different kinds of connectors are varied in different connector size or connecting ways. Generally, one system will use the same type of connectors.

MPO connector is a Multi-fiber Push-On/Off connector used for the joint between devices and optic fiber. It is designed for high-density light transmission in high-speed bandwidth and data network. The difference between MPO connector and other types of connectors is its larger size of multiple connectors on one end and a single connector on the other end. MPO product is available with 8, 12, 24 and 48 connectors which allows the operator to change channels simply by repatching the fanned-out side of the cable. There are two structures of MPO plug, one is the female plug with guide hole, and another is male plug with guide pin. 28.LC connector is a widely used fiber optic connector to joint equipment and optic fiber together. 

MOP connector

LC connector stands for lucent connector. It is a small form-factor fiber optic connector designed to provide horizontal light waves vary from 1280nm to 1624nm. It is considered to be the replacement for SC connector due to a 50% smaller size of a 1.25mm ferrule.The shape of connector is the same as SC connector but also smaller. LC connector is available for the push-pull function which is convenient for installation and uninstallation and is favored for single-mode. 

LC connector

SC connector is a snap-in connector used for high performance transmission. First invented by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1980s. SC is abbreviated for Square Connector owing to its square shape, and has a 2.5mm ceramic ferrule for providing accurate alignment. It is adopted in the same coupling way and pin as FC connector. SC connector is now one of the most popular connectors in the world because of its cheaper price, easier push-off installation, high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.

SC connector