Choosing between different fiber connector types

Choosing between different fiber connector types

The different fiber connector types are used to connect two fiber ends to maximize the coupling of optical energy output from the launch fiber and the receiving fiber. They offer fiber cable connection solutions for different industries and commercial uses. The different fiber connector types can be categorized according to different standards like, fiber count, fiber mode, transmission method, transmission medium, boot length, polishing type, termination way, etc.

About different fiber connector types

When choosing the right fiber connector, it is important to first establish the type of cable and the appropriate cable connector for the applications you are using it for.

In addition, the equipment into which the connector plugs is an important factor to consider when choosing cable connectors. Let’s see what to take into consideration when choosing the right fiber cable connection.

1. Is the cable single-mode or multimode?

The main difference between multimode fiber and single-mode fiber is that single-mode fiber has a core diameter of 9um, multimode fiber has a fiber diameter of 50 or 62.5um, and both cladding diameters are 125 um.

Single-mode optical fibers operates at a data rate of 100M/s or 1G/s and is used for remote signal transmission. They can support transmission distances of more than 5000 m(5kms).

There are two types of refractive index in multimode fiber: gradient refractive index and step refractive index. The typical transmission speed is 100M/s, and the transmission distance can reach 2 km (100BASE.FX), 1 G/s up to 1000 m, 10 G/s up to 550 m, mainly used for short distance optical fiber communication.

2.How many physical contact types are there for single-mode connectors?

Fiber connections have different polished end faces, and this impacts the level of return loss, also called back reflection. Single-mode connectors can either be Ultra Physical Contact (UPC), Angled Physical Contact (APC), or Angled Polish Connectors. UPC Single-mode with UPC connectors are slightly dome-faced which increase the point of connection and are usually blue. APCs are made with an 8-degree angle at the end face, which are used in many applications, and they are green colored for identification.

3. What Connector Does a Device Require?

In choosing different fiber connector types, you can look at the device requirement and then use that information to get the fiber connection that is needed.

4. Color distinction?

Fiber optic connectors whether APC or UPC for single mode and multimode types of fiber optic cables have corresponding color distinction, as fiber optic cables have a unified identification number, so it is generally recommended to use a common color fiber optic connector type to facilitate the identification of multimode and single mode fiber optic cables.

Single-mode fiber: general fiber optic patch cable SM with yellow color

Multimode fiber: general fiber optic patch cable OM1/OM2 with orange, OM3 with aqua, OM4 with aqua or violet, OM5 with lime green

General fiber optic connector common color identifications

(UPC-LC,SC) Blue: Single mode

(APC-LC,SC) Green: Single mode

(UPC-LC,SC) Beige: Multimode OM1,OM2,OM3

(UPC-LC,SC) Aqua: Multimode OM3,OM4, and OM5

FC, ST fiber optic connectors can be identified by the tail sleeve, UPC unified with black, APC unified with green.

5. Different adapter connector types of fiber optic patch cords.

Fiber optic patch cords can be divided into common single-mode and multimode fiber optic patch cords according to the different transmission media, and can be divided into various forms according to the connector structure: FC patch cord, SC patch cord, ST patch cord, LC patch cord, MTRJ patch cord, MPO patch cord, MU patch cord, SMA patch cord, DIN patch cord, D4 patch cord and so on. We can customize fiber optic patch cords with different adapter connector types, such as FC-ST, SC-LC, SC-ST, etc.