What To Know About Choosing Fiber Optic Connectors

What To Know About Choosing Fiber Optic Connectors

Many of our systems and technology require data transfer, and certain locations, such as data centers and server rooms, need high-speed connections. A fiber optic cable is an excellent tool that transfers data extremely fast, but you’ll need a fiber optic connector to join two cables. For the best connection between two fiber optic cables, you’ll need to know the various aspects of fiber optic connectors to make the best choice.

What Is a Fiber Optic Connector, and What Does It Do?

When we need to reach a device from a source to transfer data and the optical fiber cable isn’t long enough, we need a fiber optic connector to attach another cable to the previous one. The fiber optic connector allows cables and their fibers to connect without splicing and makes a simpler connection with less chance of error.

One of the primary functions of a fiber optic connector is to ensure the amount of light that passes between the connecting points has a minimum amount of loss. Better connectors will keep the connection point strong and align the fibers more accurately to minimize the loss of light and signal. If you plan to buy bulk fiber optic cables, you’ll need to choose fiber optic connectors of good quality that will transfer the light over a long distance with multiple connections.

The Types of Fiber Optic Connectors

The three main types of fiber optic connectors are the lucent connector (LC), snap-in connector (SC), and straight tip connector (ST). The LC uses a latch to connect cables, and the SC uses a locking mechanism that snaps and locks the connector and cables together. The ST is similar to a coaxial cable, where you need to insert the tip and twist it into place.

The LC and SC are the most common connectors due to their small size and fast connection and disconnection. Depending on your network, choose a fiber optic connector with simple connection mechanics that won’t take up much space.

The Different Colors of Fiber Optic Connectors

Fiber optic connectors come in different colors, including aqua, blue, green, black, and beige. These colors determine whether a fiber optic connector will attach to a single-mode or multimode fiber optic cable. Depending on where you buy your connectors, the colors may vary, so you will need to check the description and type of fiber optic cable to make the best choice.

It’s important to use these connectors for your optical cable needs. Make sure you understand the information in this article and beyond to make the best choice for cable connection.

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