Fiber optic connectors are used to the mechanical and optical means for cross connecting fibers. Fiber optic connectors can also be used to join fiber cables to transmitters or receivers. There have been many types of connectors developed for fiber cable. Single mode networks have used FC or SC connectors in about the same proportion as ST and SC in multimode installations. But LC connector with smaller size and higher performance has become popular and the connector choice for optical transceivers for systems operating at gigabit speeds. The following text gives a detailed introduction of LC connector.
History of LC Connector
LC stands for Lucent Connector, as the LC connector was developed by Lucent Technologies as a response to the need by their primary customers, the telcos, for a small, low insertion loss connector. Then the LC design was standardized in EIA/TIA-604-10 and is offered by other manufacturers.
Advantages of LC Connector
There are solid reasons that the LC is the preferred connector for high-performance network. From the appearance, LC connect is like a mini size of SC connector. LC connector borrows split-sleeve construction and a cylindrical ferrule (usually ceramic) from SC connector. LC connector has a push-and-latch design providing pull-proof stability in system rack mounts. The picture on the right shows the appearance of SC connector and LC connector.
The ferrule size of LC connector is 1.25 mm which is half the size of SC connector ferrule—2.5 mm. LC connector is rated for 500 mating cycles and its typical insertion loss is 0.25 dB. An interesting feature of the LC is that, in some designs, the ferrule can be “tuned” or rotated with a special tool after it has been assembled. This offers a considerable performance advantage. The design and performance of LC connector address the need for high density and low insertion loss.
Application of LC Connector
LC connector can be found in many places for termination and connection, especially SFP transceivers for gigabit transmission. For example, the optic interfaces of Cisco SFP transceivers are all LC connectors. Some other applications are as following:
- Telecommunication networks
- Local area networks
- Data processing networks
- Cable television
- Fiber-to-the-home
- Premises distribution
LC Connector Selection Guide
To meet the needs of market, there are various types of LC connectors provided now. During the selection of LC connector, transmission media should be the first factor to consider. LC connector favors single mode fiber optic cable. But it can also be used with multimode fiber optic cable. Signals sometimes are transferred over simplex fiber optic cable and sometime duplex fiber optic cable. Thus, LC connector has both simplex and duplex design. The picture above shows an APC simplex LC connector on the left and a UPC duplex LC connector on the right. Some other factors like polishing style (APC or UPC), hole size and cable diameter should not be ignored.
LC is covered in the TIA connector intermateability standard FOCIS-10 (TIA-604-10).
What Is an LC Fiber Connector?
The LC connectoris a small form factor (SFF) connector, which is designed to join LC fibers where a connection or disconnection is required. The LC connector was first developed by Lucent Technology for TelCo environment uses. Hence, LC stands for Lucent Connectormostly. In addition, LC can also standfor Little Connector and Local Connector. These LC connectorsutilize traditional components of the standard connector but witha 1.25mm ceramic ferrule.
What Are the Advantages of LC Fiber Connector?
Nowadays, LC fiber optic connectors are very popular in the market. The following are several advantages of LC connector:
With LC connector, the cost of the system can be reduced. LC connector is half the size of the traditional SC connector. Therefore it can doubles fiber density in shelves and outlets.
The polarized feature of LC connector helps maintain the transmittingor receiving direction and assures high repeatability.
LC connector has an anti-snag latch, which can improve durability and reduce the rearrangement work caused by the cross connection.
It is time-saving for installation, because there is no need to install the field mountable connectors.
What Are LC Fiber ConnectorTypes?
LC connectors have single mode and multimode tolerances. The polishing types of the LC connector are available in UPC and APC.LC APC fiber connector has an eight-degree angle to minimize back reflection and can be recognized by its green colored housing and strain relief boot. While LC UPC fiber connector can be easily recognized by blue color. Generally, two versions of LC connectors are available: jumper connector and BTW connector.
The jumper connectorcan be used to terminate simplex and duplex 1.6 to 2.0 mm cordage. It is convenient to engage and disengage because of a trigger and the standard latch. What’s more, jumper connector is intended for use in LAN, central offices, and in patch cords for premise distribution systems.
The BTW(behind-the-wall) connector is a shorter version of the LC intended for mounting on 0.9 mm fiber. It is typically utilized on the back side of equipment. Besides, BTW connector usually uses finger catch and extended latch, which makes the BTW connector engage and disengage easily.
What Is LC Uniboot Connector?
LC Uniboot Connector can be used in a high density environment. Comparing to the conventional duplex connector, the design is more compact, as well as just one cable was used, which help to improve the hot air flow in a high density and a crowed environment.
What Is LC Secure Lockable Fiber Optic Connector
LC Secure Lockable Fiber Optic Connector LC stands for Lucent Connector, as the LC connector was developed by Lucent Technologies as a response to the need by their primary customers, the telcos, for a small, low insertion loss connector. Then the LC design was standardized in EIA/TIA-604-10 and is offered by other manufacturers.
What Is LC Push-Pull Uniboot Connector?
LC Push-Pull Uniboot Connector connector that come with a Push-Pull tab, which can be used in a high density environment. Comparing to the conventional duplex connector, the design is more compact, as well as just one cable was used, which help to improve the hot air flow in a high density and a crowed environment. an unique and a patented design to reach in a highest density in the industry.
What Is LC Duplex Connector?
LC Duplex SLL Connector is specially designed to provide low insertion loss and back reflection or misalignment of the fibers. along with high precision and mechanical stability. Its insertion loss is less than 0.3dB .APC return loss is up to 65dB.UPC return loss is up to 55dB.
Fiber optic connector is a flexible device that can connect and disconnect fiber optic cablequickly. A large variety offiber connectortypes are available, including LC fiber connector, SC fiber connector, FC fiber connector, ST fiber connector and so on. Among them, LC fiber optic connector is one of the most common types of fiber optic connectors. This article will give a clear explanation to LC fiber connector and how to use it.
LC Fiber Connector Family Brief Introduction
The LC connector family consists of adapters, attenuator, Jumpers, an assortment of connector modules and panels, etc. They are generally applied in telecommunications networks, LANs, data processing networks, device terminations, premises distributions, etc. There are several major LC-related devices:
LC adapter is designed to work together with the complete LC fiber optic family to offer an optimal, high-density solution for the network. It features a self-adjusting mechanism, which accommodates patch panels of thickness between 1.55 to 1.75 mm. And it is available in single mode, multimode, simplex and duplex options. LC simplex adapter connects one LC connector pair in one module space. While LC duplex adapter connects two LC connector pairs in one module space.
LC fibercablewith two LC connectors terminated on either ends, is the most commonly used fiber optic cabletype. The LC connector used on the LC fiber cable has a trigger mechanism, which allows the connector to be easily engaged and disengaged.
LC attenuator uses LC connector, which is a commonly used LC-related deviceas well. It is used in fiber optic communications to reduce the optical fiber power by a certain level. Usually, it has a male plug connector on one side, and has a female fiber optic adapter on the other side. In addition, its typical attenuation values are between 1 and 30 dB.
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