Optical Fiber Connector Q & A

Q: What is optical fiber connector?
A: Optical fiber connector is used to join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability is required. The basic connector unit is a connector assembly. A connector assembly consists of an adapter and two connector plugs. Due to the polishing and tuning procedures that may be incorporated into optical connector manufacturing, connectors are generally assembled onto optical fiber in a supplier's manufacturing facility. However, the assembly and polishing operations involved can be performed in the field, for example, to make cross-connect jumpers to size.

Q: Where are optical fiber connectors used?
A: Optical fiber connector is used in telephone company central offices, at installations on customer premises, and in outside plant applications to connect equipment and cables, or to cross-connect cables within a system.

Q: What is the structure of optical fiber connector?
A: Most optical fiber connectors are spring-loaded. The end faces of the fibers in the two connectors are pressed together, resulting in a direct glass to glass or plastic to plastic contact. This avoids a trapped layer of air between two fibers, which would increase connector insertion loss and reflection loss.

Q: Which parameters do optical fiber connectors have?
A: Every fiber connection has two values: Attenuation or insertion loss; Reflection or return loss. Measurements of these parameters are now defined in IEC standard 61753-1. The standard gives five grades for insertion loss from A (best) to D (worst), and M for multimode. The other parameter is return loss, with grades from 1 (best) to 5 (worst).

Q: What types do optical fiber connectors have?
A: There are many types of optical fiber connectors, including FC, LC, SC, ST, D4, MU, MPO, SMA, MTRJ and E2000 etc.. SC and LC connectors are the most common types on the market. The main differences among them are dimensions and methods of mechanical coupling. Generally, organizations will standardize on one kind of connector, depending on what equipment they commonly use. Different connectors are required for multimode, and for single-mode fibers.
In datacom and telecom applications nowadays small connectors (such as LC connector) and multi-fiber connectors (such as MTP connector) are replacing the traditional connectors (such as SC connector), mainly to provide a higher number of fibers per unit of rack space. (MTP stands for: Multifiber Termination Push-on connector. It is built around the MT ferrule. Each MTP contains 12 fibers or 6 duplex channels in a connector smaller than most duplex connections in use today. It is designed as a high-performance version of the MPO and will interconnect with MPO connectors. MTP connector is manufactured specifically for a multifiber ribbon cable. The single mode version has a angled ferrule allowing for minimal back reflection, whereas the multimode connector ferrule is commonly flat. MTP connector allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. It uses a simple push-pull latching mechanism for easy and intuitive insertion and removal. The end of MTP connector may be polished flat or at an 8° angle. It is the same size of a SC connector but since it can accommodate a maximum of 12 fibers, it provides up to 12 times the density, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space. Click to view MPO fiber price.)

Q: What features does a good optical fiber connector have?
A: Low Insertion Loss; Low Return Loss; Ease of installation; Low cost; Reliability; Low environmental sensitivity; Ease of use.

Q: Where can I buy high cost-effective optical fiber connectors online?
A: FiberStore is the best choice strongly recommended to you.