Introduction to fiber optic connector

Connectors and adapters are the plugs and sockets of a fiber optic system. They allow the data to be re-routed and equipment to be connected to existing systems.Connectors are intrinsically more difficult to design than mechanical splices.This is due to the added requirement of being able to be taken apart and replaced repeatedly.It is one thing to find a way to align two fibers, but it is something altogether different if the fibers are to be disconnected and re connected hundreds of times and still need to perform well.The main connectors encountered in multimode installations are the ST, SC, LC and MT-RJ.The LC-SC Patch Cord has SCconnectors on one end and a LC connector on the other end.
If two fibers are to be joined each fiber has a connector attached and each is then plugged into an adapter,An adapter is basically a tube into which the two connectors are inserted,it holds them in alignment and the connectors are fixed onto the adapter to provide mechanical support,An adapter is shown as part of figure 12.1.
Although different makes are sold as compatible, it is good practice to use the same manufacturer for the connector and for the adapter.The design of connectors originated with the adaptation of those used for copper based on coaxial cables,which were usually fitted by the manufacturers into a few metres of fiber called a pigtail which was then spliced into the main system.

Most connectors nowadays are fitted by the installer although pre-fitted ones are still viable,the benefit of using the pre-fitted and pigtailed version is that it is much quicker and easier to fit a mechanical splice or perform a fusion splice than it is to fit a connector,so there is some merit in allowing the factory to fit the connector since this saves time and guarantees a high standard of workmanship.
Single mode equipment is commonly fitted with the FC-PC，amongst others.Apart from the connector style itself ,one must also consider whether it is the single mode or multimode version,outwardly they look identical but a single mode connector and its core diameters of single mode fibers and the need for absolute accuracy when connecting them,Multimode fibers would be very happy in connectors designated as single mode,but putting single mode fibers into multimode connecting equipment would be inviting high losses. LC-LC Single Mode Patch Cord is the single mode fiber patch cord has the LC connector on each end
The LC LC Fiber Patch Cord has LC connectors on each end,when a connector is purchased,it always comes with a plastic dust cap to prevent damage to the polished end of the optic fiber,it is poor workmanship to leave fibers lying around without the caps fitted,Before considering the details of the various types of connector,we will look at the main parameters met in their specifications so that we can make sense of manufacturers' data..