Types of Connectors in Fiber Patch Cables

Fiber patch cables continue to be one of the most important elements of optical cabling systems. By connecting one end of optical fibers to another, they ensure that your network systems run seamlessly with high speeds, bandwidths, and reduced disruption. One of the elements that allow these cables to be as reliable as they are is fiber patch cable connectors.

Fiber patch cable connectors primarily perform the function of connecting the two ends of fiber patch cables. They are manufactured with the strategic use of ferrules that ensure that the termination of fibers is secure and strong enough to hold them together once the cables are connected.

Like most fiber optic systems and components, fiber patch cable connectors also come in various designs and types. Many of them either require a fiber adapter to plug into, while others can simply be snapped together due to their bayonet design. Here are three common types of fiber patch cable connectors you should know about.

Lucent Connectors (LC)

LC connectors are one of the most common types of fiber patch cable connectors that are often used in applications that require connectors with incredibly small ferrules. These ferrules can be as small as 1mm, which makes them ideal for the smallest terminations in fiber patch cables. You can easily use these fiber patch cable connectors to connect single-mode fiber patch cables.

Standard Connectors (SC)

A relatively bigger fiber patch cable connector than an LC connector is an SC connector. These are fiber patch cable connectors with the standard ferrule size of 2 mm that don’t necessarily need to be plugged in.

These connectors often snap together seamlessly due to their push-and-pull design. This often makes them one of the most high-performance fiber patch cable connectors in the data communication and telecommunication industries.

ST Connectors

ST connectors paved the way for the other more advanced fiber patch cable connectors to gain popularity. These connectors were used as the primary form of termination for brands like AT&T until early 2005. Despite being replaced by better fiber patch cable connectors, ST connectors continue to offer affordability and reliability for most industries.

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