Optical fiber connector

An optical fiber connector joins optical fibers, and enables quicker connection and
disconnection than splicing. The connectors mechanically couple and align the cores of
fibers so light can pass. Better connectors lose very little light due to reflection or
misalignment of the fibers. In all, about 100 different types of fiber optic connectors have
been introduced to the market.[1]

Contents
Application
Types
Notes LC (top) and ST (bottom) optical fiber
Obsolete connectors connectors, both with protective
Contact caps in place
Field-mountable connectors
Attributes
Analysis
Testing
See also
Notes
References
External links

Application
Optical fiber connectors are used to join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability is required. Due to the polishing and
tuning procedures that may be incorporated into optical connector manufacturing, connectors are often 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 terminate long runs at a patch panel.

Optical fiber connectors are used in telephone exchanges, for customer premises wiring, and in outside plant applications to
connect equipment and fiber-optic cables, or to cross-connect cables.

Most optical fiber connectors are spring-loaded, so the fiber faces are pressed together when the connectors are mated. The
resulting glass-to-glass or plastic-to-plastic contact eliminates signal losses that would be caused by an air gap between the joined
fibers.

Performance of optical fiber connectors can be quantified by insertion loss and 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).

A variety of optical fiber connectors are available, but SC and LC connectors are the most common types of connectors on the
market.[2] Typical connectors are rated for 500–1,000 mating cycles.[3] The main differences among types of connectors are
dimensions and methods of mechanical coupling. Generally, organizations will standardize on one kind of connector, depending on
what equipment they commonly use.

In many data center applications, small (e.g., LC) and multi-fiber (e.g., MTP/MPO) connectors have replaced larger, older styles
(e.g., SC), allowing more fiber ports per unit of rack space.[4]
Outside plant applications may require connectors be located underground, or on outdoor walls or utility poles. In such settings,
protective enclosures are often used, and fall into two broad categories: hermetic (sealed) and free-breathing. Hermetic cases
prevent entry of moisture and air but, lacking ventilation, can become hot if exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat. Free-
breathing enclosures, on the other hand, allow ventilation, but can also admit moisture, insects and airborne contaminants. Selection
of the correct housing depends on the cable and connector type, the location, and environmental factors.

Types
Many types of optical connector have been developed at different times, and for different purposes. Many of them are summarized
in the tables below.
 Fiber connector types
Short Coupling Screw Ferrule
Long name Standard Applications and notes Image
name type thread diameter
Aviation
Avio (Avim) Intermediate Screw Aerospace and avionics
Maintenance
ADT-UNI Screw 2.5 mm Measurement equipment
Latch,
CS Corning/Senko — 1.25 mm Listed in SFF-8024[5]
push-pull
Diamond
Latch,
DMI Micro — 2.5 mm Printed circuit boards
separate
Interface[6]

Latch,
LSH or E- push-pull, IEC
— 2.5 mm Telecom, DWDM systems
2000 [7] integral 61754-15
dust cap

EC Latch, IEC 1754- Telecom and CATV

—
CF08 push-pull 8[8] networks

ELIO Bayonet — 2.5 mm ABS1379 PC or UPC

Enterprise Latch,
integral IBM mainframe computers
ESCON Systems — 2.5 mm
and peripherals
Connection shroud[1]

Japanese LAN, audio systems; for

Industrial 200 μm fibers, simple field
F07 2.5 mm
Standard termination possible, mates
(JIS) with ST connectors
Latch,
integral IEC Fiber To The Home (LC
F-3000 — 1.25 mm
light- and 61754-20 compatible)
dust-cap
Datacom, telecom,
Ferrule measurement equipment,
IEC single-mode lasers[11]
Connector or
FC Fiber Screw M8×0.75[10] 2.5 mm 61754-
13[8] [A][B]
Channel[9]

Latch,
Fibergate integral — 1.25 mm Backplane connector
dust-cap

Fiber-Jack[13]
FJ or Latch[1] — 2.5 mm Building wiring, wall outlets
Opti-Jack[9]
High-density connections,
Lucent SFP and SFP+
Connector,[9] transceivers, XFP
Little IEC transceivers.[11] Duplex LC
LC Connector,[14] Latch — 1.25 mm 61754- is comparable in size to
or 20[8] RJ-45.
Local
Connector[14] [C]

PC (straight physical
ARINC contact) or APC (angled
Luxcis 1.25 mm
801 physical contact)
configurations
Latch,
integral IEC High-density connections;
LX-5 —
light- and 61754-23 rarely used
dust-cap
M12-FO Screw M16 2.5 mm EN 61754- Machine, process and plant
 27, engineering. IP-67 dust and
ISO/IEC water resistant
61754-27

Media
Interface
MIC Connector
Snap — 2.5 mm
FDDI Fiber
distributed
data interface

SM or MM multi-fiber
ribbon. Same ferrule as
MT, but more easily
reconnectable.[15] Used for
IEC- indoor cabling and device
MPO or Multiple-fiber Snap, 61754-7;[8] interconnections. MTP is a
Push-On/Pull- push-pull, — 2.5×6.4 mm[15] EIA/TIA- brand name for an
MTP
off[9] gendered 604-5 improved connector, which
(FOCIS 5) intermates with MPO.[16]

[D]

Pre-terminated cable
Mechanical Latch,
MT — 2.5×6.4 mm assemblies; outdoor
Transfer gendered[1]
applications[15]
Mechanical
Transfer Duplex multimode
Registered connections
Jack or Latch, IEC
MT-RJ — 2.45×4.4 mm
Media gendered[1] 61754-18 [E]
Termination -
recommended
jack[9]
Miniature Latch, IEC
MU — 1.25 mm Common in Japan[1]
unit[9] push-pull 61754-6

Datacom and telecom

Subscriber (most widely deployed);
connector,[9] GPON; EPON; GBIC;
square Latch, IEC MADI
SC — 2.5 mm
connector[9] or push-pull 61754-4[8]
standard [F][C]
connector

SC-Dual
SC-DC Contact Latch, IEC Datacom and telecom;
— 2.5 mm
SC-QC SC-Quattro push-pull 61754-4 GPON; EPON; GBIC
Contact[13]

Industrial lasers, optical

spectrometers, military;
SMA 905[G] Screw, telecom multimode
Sub Miniature 1/4"-36 IEC
A
optionally
UNS 2B 3.17 mm[18] 60874-2
F-SMA I keyed [H]

Industrial lasers, military;

Stepped; 0.118 telecom multimode
SMA 906 Sub Miniature 1/4"-36 to 0.089 in IEC
Screw
F-SMA II A UNS 2B 3.0 to 2.3 mm, 60874-2 [H]
typ.

Sub Miniature
SMC Snap — 2.5 mm
C

ST or Straight Bayonet — 2.5 mm IEC Datacom

BFOC Tip[I][9] or 61754-2[8]
Bayonet Fiber [J]
Optic
Connector
 Most
TOSLINK Toshiba Link Snap-fit — commonly, Digital audio
JIS F05

VF-45 None, V-
Volition Fiber Latch — grooves as Datacom
SG guidance
Broadcast
Push-pull 1.25 mm Audio & data
1053 HDTV connector —
coupling ceramic (broadcasting)
interface
Industrial and electric utility
Snap-fit, networking; multimode 200
V-PIN V-System —
push-pull μm, 400 μm, 1 mm,
2.2 mm fibers

Notes
A. 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. An FC connector should not be used in vibrating environments due to
its threaded lock. FC connectors have been replaced in many applications by SC and LC connectors.[1]
B. There are two incompatible standards for key widths on FC/APC and polarization-maintaining FC/PC connectors:
2 mm (reduced or type R) and 2.14 mm (NTT or type N).[12] Connectors and receptacles with different key widths
either cannot be mated, or will not preserve the angle alignment between the fibers, which is especially important
for polarization-maintaining fiber. Some manufacturers mark reduced keys with a single scribe mark on the key
and mark NTT connectors with a double scribe mark.
C. LC connectors have replaced SC connectors in corporate networking environments due to their smaller size; they
are often found on small form-factor pluggable transceivers.
D. MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) is a connector for ribbon cables with four to twenty-four fibers.[17] Connectors for
single-mode fiber have angled ends to minimize back-reflection, while multimode fiber versions typically have flat
ends. MTP is a brand name for a version of the MPO connector with improved specifications. MTP and MPO
connectors intermate.
E. MT-RJ (Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack) uses a form factor and latch similar to the 8P8C (RJ45) connectors.
Two separate fibers are included in one unified connector. It is easier to terminate and install than ST or SC
connectors. The smaller size allows twice the port density on a faceplate than ST or SC connectors do. The MT-
RJ connector was designed by AMP, but was later standardized as FOCIS 12 (Fiber Optic Connector
Intermateability Standards) in EIA/TIA-604-12. There are two variations: pinned and no-pin. The pinned variety,
which has two small stainless steel guide pins on the face of the connector, is used in patch panels to mate with
the no-pin connectors on MT-RJ patch cords.
F. The push-pull design on SC connectors reduces the chance of fiber end face contact damage during connection.
These are frequently found on older networking gear using GBICs.
G. SMA is short for subminiature assembly.
H. The SMA connector was the first widely used standard connector, developed in the 1970s by Amphenol using the
design geometry of the SMA RF connector.[19] It was designed for large-diameter multimode fiber applications, for
which it is still widely used in industry and medicine. It lacks features important to communications applications,
for which it is considered obsolete.
I. ST refers to a straight tip, as the sides of the ceramic tip are parallel—as opposed to the predecessor bi-conic
connector which aligned as two nesting ice cream cones would.
J. An ST connector has a key which prevents rotation of the ceramic ferrule, and a bayonet lock similar to a BNC
shell. The single index tab must be properly aligned with a slot on the mating receptacle before insertion; then the
 bayonet interlock can be engaged, by pushing and twisting, locking at the end of travel which maintains spring-
loaded engagement force on the core optical junction.

Obsolete connectors

Obsolete fiber connector types

Short Long Screw Ferrule
Coupling type Standard Typical applications
name form thread diameter

Biconic[1] Screw 2.5 mm

Japanese telecom in the 1970s and

D4 (NEC)[1] Screw 2.0 mm
1980s
Deutsch
Screw Telecom
1000
Telecom in Germany in 1990s,
DIN (LSA) Screw IEC 61754-3[8]
measurement equipment
OPTIMATE Screw Plastic fiber
Snap (push-pull None - bare Proprietary Huber Datacom and telecom, last made in
OptoClip II —
coupling) fiber used & Suhner 2005

Contact

Modern connectors typically use a physical contact polish on the fiber and ferrule end. This is a slightly convex surface with the
apex of the curve accurately centered on the fiber, so that when the connectors are mated the fiber cores come into direct contact
with one another.[20][21] Some manufacturers have several grades of polish quality, for example a regular FC connector may be
designated FC/PC (for physical contact), while FC/SPC and FC/UPC may denote super and ultra polish qualities, respectively.
Higher grades of polish give less insertion loss and lower back reflection.

Many connectors are available with the fiber end face polished at an angle to prevent light that reflects from the interface from
traveling back up the fiber. Because of the angle, the reflected light does not stay in the fiber core but instead leaks out into the
cladding. Angle-polished connectors should only be mated to other angle-polished connectors. The APC angle is normally 8
degrees, however, SC/APC also exists as 9 degrees in some countries. Mating to a non-angle polished connector causes very high
insertion loss. Generally angle-polished connectors have higher insertion loss than good quality straight physical contact ones.
"Ultra" quality connectors may achieve comparable back reflection to an angled connector when connected, but an angled
connection maintains low back reflection even when the output end of the fiber is disconnected.

Angle-polished connections are distinguished visibly by the use of a green strain relief boot, or a green connector body. The parts
are typically identified by adding "/APC" (angled physical contact) to the name. For example, an angled FC connector may be
designated FC/APC, or merely FCA. Non-angled versions may be denoted FC/PC or with specialized designations such as
FC/UPC or FCU to denote an "ultra" quality polish on the fiber end face. Two different versions of FC/APC exist: FC/APC-N
(NTT) and FC/APC-R (Reduced). An FC/APC-N connector key will not fit into a FC/APC-R adapter key slot.

Field-mountable connectors

Field-mountable optical fiber connectors are used to join optical fiber jumper cables that contain one single-mode fiber. Field-
mountable optical fiber connectors are used for field restoration work and to eliminate the need to stock jumper cords of various
sizes.

These assemblies can be separated into two major categories: single-jointed connector assemblies and multiple-jointed connector
assemblies. According to Telcordia GR-1081,[22] a single-jointed connector assembly is a connector assembly where there is only
one spot where two different fibers are joined together. This is the situation generally found when connector assemblies are made
from factory-assembled optical fiber connector plugs. A multiple-jointed connector assembly is a connector assembly where there
is more than one closely spaced connection joining different fibers together. An example of a multiple-jointed connector assembly
is a connector assembly that uses the stub-fiber type of connector plug.

Attributes
Features of good connector design:

Low insertion loss - should not exceed 0.75 dB

 Typical insertion repeatability, the difference in insertion loss between one plugging and another, is 0.2 dB.
High return loss (low amounts of reflection at the interface) - should be higher than 20 dB
Ease of installation
Low cost
Reliability
Low environmental sensitivity
Ease of use

Analysis
On all connectors, cleaning the ceramic ferrule before each connection helps prevent scratches and extends the
connector life substantially.
Connectors on polarization-maintaining fiber are sometimes marked with a blue strain relief boot or connector
body. Sometimes a blue buffer tube is used on the fiber instead.[23]
Hardened Fiber Optic Connectors (HFOCs) and Hardened Fiber Optic Adapters (HFOAs) are passive
telecommunications components used in an outside plant environment. They provide drop connections to
customers from fiber distribution networks. These components may be provided in pedestal closures,[note 1][24]
aerial and buried closures and terminals, or equipment located at customer premises such as a Fiber Distribution
Hub (FDH) or an optical network terminal unit.

These connectors, which are field-mateable and hardened for use in the OSP, are needed to support Fiber to
the Premises (FTTP) deployment and service offerings. HFOCs are designed to withstand climatic conditions
existing throughout the U.S., including rain, flooding, snow, sleet, high winds, and ice and sand storms. Ambient
temperatures ranging from −40 °C (−40 °F) to 70 °C (158 °F) can be encountered.
Telcordia GR-3120[25] contains the industry’s most recent generic requirements for HFOCs and HFOAs.

Testing
Glass fiber optic connector performance is affected both by the connector and by the glass fiber. Concentricity tolerances affect the
fiber, fiber core, and connector body. The core optical index of refraction is also subject to variations. Stress in the polished fiber
can cause excess return loss. The fiber can slide along its length in the connector. The shape of the connector tip may be incorrectly
profiled during polishing. The connector manufacturer has little control over these factors, so in-service performance may well be
below the manufacturer's specification.

Testing fiber optic connector assemblies falls into two general categories: factory testing and field testing.

Factory testing is sometimes statistical, for example, a process check. A profiling system may be used to ensure the overall polished
shape is correct, and a good quality optical microscope to check for blemishes. Insertion loss and return loss performance is
checked using specific reference conditions, against a reference-standard single-mode test lead, or using an encircled flux compliant
source for multi-mode testing. Testing and rejection (yield) may represent a significant part of the overall manufacturing cost.

Field testing is usually simpler. A special hand-held optical microscope is used to check for dirt or blemishes. A power meter and
light source or an optical loss test set (OLTS) is used to test end-to-end loss, and an optical time-domain reflectometer may be used
to identify significant point losses or return losses.

See also
Gap loss – attenuation sources and causes
Index-matching material –a liquid/gel to reduce Fresnel reflection
Optical attenuator – fiber optic attenuator

Notes
1. Pedestal terminal closures are intended to house passive telecommunications components used in an Outside
Plant (OSP) environment. According to Telcordia GR-13 [1] (https://telecom-info.njdepot.ericsson.net/site-cgi/ido/d
ocs.cgi?ID=051310632D000077&KEYWORDS=&TITLE=&DOCUMENT=GR-13&DATE=&CLASS=&COUNT=1
000), these closures may house such components as copper terminal blocks, coaxial taps, or passive fiber optic
distribution equipment used for the distribution of telephone service and broadband services.

References
 1. "Connector identifier" (http://www.thefoa.org/tech/connID.htm). The Fiber Optic Association. 2010. Retrieved
Oct 18, 2014.
2. Silva, Mário Marques da (2016-01-06). Cable and Wireless Networks: Theory and Practice (https://books.google.
com/books?id=uXOmCwAAQBAJ&q=SC+and+LC+connectors+are+the+most+common+types+of+optical+fiber+
connectors+on+the+market&pg=PA87). CRC Press. ISBN 9781498746830.
3. Alwayn, Vivek (2004). "Fiber-Optic Technologies" (http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=170740&seq
Num=8). Retrieved Aug 15, 2011.
4. "Fiber Connector Types - LC vs SC vs FC vs ST vs MTP vs MPO" (https://www.qsfptek.com/article/fiber-connector
-types-lc-sc-fc-st-mtp-mpo). Derek. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
5. "SFF Module Management Reference Code Tables" (https://members.snia.org/document/dl/26715). SNIA.
Retrieved 11 November 2020.
6. "DMI datasheet" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141010035411/http://www.diamond-fo.com/dms/site-diamond/do
cuments/Products-and-Library/products/datasheets/DMI_e/DMI%20datasheet.pdf) (PDF). DIAMOND SA.
Archived from the original (http://www.diamond-fo.com/dms/site-diamond/documents/Products-and-Library/produc
ts/datasheets/DMI_e/DMI%20datasheet.pdf) (PDF) on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 6 Oct 2014.
7. "European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO): Trade mark information E-2000" (https://euipo.europa.eu/e
Search/#details/trademarks/W10677473). Retrieved 2019-12-08.
8. "The History of Connectors - AFL Hyperscale" (https://www.aflhyperscale.com/the-history-of-connectors). AFL
Hyperscale. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
9. Keiser, Gerd (August 2003). Optical Communications Essentials. McGraw-Hill Networking Professional. p. 132–.
ISBN 0-07-141204-2.
10. TIA Standard FOCIS-4, TIA-604-4-B
11. "Fiber Optic Connectors" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160312064008/http://www.fiber-optics.info/articles/fiber_
optic_connectors). Archived from the original (http://www.fiber-optics.info/articles/fiber_optic_connectors) on
March 12, 2016. Retrieved Oct 18, 2014.
12. Sezerman, Omur; Best, Garland (December 1997). "Accurate alignment preserves polarization" (http://www.ozopti
cs.com/allnew_pdf/art0001.pdf) (PDF). Laser Focus World. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
13. "Small Form Factor Fiber Optic Connectors Tutorial" (http://www.fiberstore.com/Small-Form-Factor-Fiber-Optic-C
onnectors-Tutorial-aid-400.html). Fiberstore. June 3, 2014. Retrieved Oct 18, 2014.
14. US patent 20140126875 (https://worldwide.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US20140126875), Lou
Guzzo, Inman, SC (US), "Connector Ferrule Holder", issued 2014-05-08
15. Shimoji, Naoko; Yamakawa, Jun; Shiino, Masato (1999). "Development of Mini-MPO Connector" (http://www.furuk
awa.co.jp/review/fr018/fr18_16.pdf) (PDF). Furukawa Review (18): 92.
16. "Frequently asked questions" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090421090016/http://www.usconec.com/pages/faq/f
aqfrm.html). US Conec. Archived from the original (http://www.usconec.com/pages/faq/faqfrm.html) on 21 April
2009. Retrieved 12 Feb 2009.
17. "MTP/MPO Fiber Solution" (http://www.fiberstore.com/MTP/MPO-Fiber-Solution-aid-343.html).
18. "Amphenol Fiber Optics products catalog, SMA standard definition, page 131-132" (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ug
d/2f8f9e_79ffcf33b77c4984b05952f9a03add48.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 2019-02-28.
19. Neal Weiss (July 7, 2016). "What is an SMA connector and why do we care?" (https://focenter.com/what-is-an-sm
a-connector-and-why-do-we-care/). Fiber Optic Center. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
20. "The Importance of Geometry for Fiber Optic Connectors" (http://csmedia.corning.com/opcomm%5CResource_Do
cuments%5Cwhitepapers_rl%5CLAN-734-EN.pdf) (PDF). Corning Cable Systems. April 2006.
21. Yin, Ling; Huang, H.; Chen, W.K.; Xiong, Z.; Liu, Y.C.; Teo, P.L. (May 2004). "Polishing of fiber optic connectors" (h
ttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/222514469). International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 44
(6): 659–668. doi:10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2003.10.029 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ijmachtools.2003.10.029).
22. "GR-1081, Generic Requirements for Field-Mountable Optical Fiber Connectors" (http://telecom-info.njdepot.erics
son.net/site-cgi/ido/docs.cgi?ID=SEARCH&DOCUMENT=GR-1081&). Telcordia.
23. "Polarization maintaining fiber patchcords and connectors" (http://www.ozoptics.com/ALLNEW_PDF/DTS0071.p
df) (PDF). OZ Optics. Retrieved Feb 6, 2009.
24. [2] (https://telecom-info.njdepot.ericsson.net/site-cgi/ido/docs.cgi?ID=000000000D000077), Telcordia.
25. GR-3120, Generic Requirements for Hardened Fiber Optic Connectors (HFOCs) and Hardened Fiber Optic
Adapters (HOFAs) (http://telecom-info.njdepot.ericsson.net/site-cgi/ido/docs.cgi?ID=SEARCH&DOCUMENT=GR
-3120&), Telcordia.

External links
Fiber Optic Connector Reference (http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/fiberconnect.html)
 How To Terminate Fiber Optic Connectors (http://discountlowvoltage.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-terminate-fiber
-optic-cable.html)
Fiber optic connector termination processes (http://www.vdvworks.com/VHO/fiberterm/index.html)

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