How Many Types of Fiber Optic Patch Cords Do You Know?
Fiber optic patch cords are also known as “fiber optic jumper” or “fiber optic patch cables”. It’s commonly used in fiber optic network. According to the transmission medium, it can be divided into two types: single-mode fiber optic patch cords and multi-mode fiber optic patch cords. According to optical connector, it can be classified into many types, such as FC, LC, MU, SC, ST, etc.
This article will introduce the categories classified by optical connector to help you know more about them and choose what kind of fiber optic patch cords you need. An optical fiber connector enables quicker connection and disconnection than splicing by terminating the end of an optical fiber. Here are some popular fiber optic patch cords terminated with FC/LC/MU/SC/ST connectors on both ends.
FC Fiber Optic Patch Cords
FC fiber optic patch cords, for example, FC-FC multi-mode fiber patch cable, are with FC fiber optic connectors, which is a metal threaded screw type connection. FC connectors’ floating ferrule provides good mechanical isolation. FC connectors need to be mated more carefully than the push-pull types due to the need to align the key, and due to the risk of scratching the fiber end face while inserting the ferrule into the jack.
LC is short from “Lucent Connector”. LC fiber patch cord connector is a push and latch structure, with plastic housing and accurate 1.25mm ceramic ferrule. LC type is a popular kind of small form fiber optic patch cord which reduces the space and it is widely used for densely installation, such as LC-LC Fiber Patch leads.
MU Fiber Optic Patch Cords
MU fiber optic patch cord is also the invention of NTT in Japan. MU is a small size fiber optic patch cord with plastic housing and a push pull structure. MU fiber optic connector is similar size of LC. It’s designed for high-density connections and provides more than double the packaging density of the SC connector.
SC Fiber Optic Patch Cords
SC fiber optic patch cord was invented by the Japanese company NTT. It’s one of the most widely used fiber optic patch cords because it has advantages of low cost, simplicity and durability. SC fiber optic patch cords are with a locking tab on the cable termination. It is a push and pull type fiber optic connector with excellent packing density.
ST Fiber Optic Patch Cords
ST fiber optic patch cords are with straight tip type terminations. There is only simplex ST fiber optic patch cords and no duplex ones. ST fiber optic connectors, widely used for multi-mode networks, are usually with a metal housing, although there is plastic housing.
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