16 Types of Fiber Optic Connectors to Choose From

Remateable connections are made possible by Fiber Connectors. Fiber Connectors are therefore generally
used where flexibility is needed at termination points when an optical signal is routed.

Examples would include connections from receivers to equipment pigtails, or normal termination, or when
re-configuring systems. Remateable connections make it easy to meet changing customer requirements by
simplifying system reconfigurations.

Polish and Epoxy Connectors

Polish and Epoxy style connectors were originally used for termination and these are still being installed
extensively. These connectors offer a wide range of choices including SC, ST, LC, FC, SMA, D4, MT-RJ
and MU. Some of their advantages are listed below:

 Sturdiness — Ability to endure higher levels of environmental and mechanical stress

 Cable size — Can be used for cables of varying diameters, from big to small
 Numerous Connectors — Can handle single and multiple cables (up to 24) in a single connector

Polish and No-Epoxy or Pre-Loaded Epoxy Connectors

The main advantage of these connectors is that they are easy to install. This translates to lower skill levels
needed to handle them. These connectors can be divided into two types:

1. Connectors without epoxy

2. Connectors with preloaded epoxy

The fiber is stabilized by an internal crimp mechanism and these connectors are available in SC, ST and FC
styles.
No-Polish and No-Epoxy

Simple design and low cost are the hallmarks of these connectors. As a result, training and installation costs
are greatly reduced, while fast restorations are enabled.

They are available in SC, ST, LC, FC and MT-RJ connector styles.

Numerous connectors, both standard and proprietary, are used in the field of telecommunication equipment,
data lines, television and cable, and other industrial fields. The connectors described in this text are the ones
that have been used most extensively in the past, and many are still being used to this day. Various
connectors that could potentially have a big influence in the future are also discussed.

Some of the common connector types are listed below:

1. Bionic Connector
2. Standard Connector (SC)
3. Ferrule Core Connector (FC)
4. ST Connector (ST)
5. SMA Connector
6. Lucent Connector (LC)
7. Plastic Fiber Optic Cable Connectors
8. Enterprise Systems Connection Connector (ESCON)
9. Fiber Distributed Data Interface Connector (FDDI)
10. Opti-Jack Connector
11. LX-5 Connector
12. Volition Connector
13. MT-RJ Connector
14. MU Connector
15. MT Connector
16. E2000 Connector
A brief description of the connectors is as follows:

1. Bionic Connector – Obsolete

The now obsolete Bionic connector was one of the first connectors employed in fiber optic communications
links. This connector can be easily identified by the tapering sleeve that fixes on to the fiber optic connector.
The narrowing end enables the sleeve to be located on the connector properly. The connection is secured by
the guided rings that are provided complete with caps. These fit over the ferrule and screw onto the sleeve
that is threaded.

Figure 1: Bionic connector

2. Standard Connector (SC)

Simple, rugged and low cost, SC connectors use a ceramic ferrule to deliver accurate alignment of the SMF.
The SC connector comes with a locking tab that enables push on / pull off operation.

At the time of writing the most popular choice for such equipment like Fiber Multiplexers, GPON and
EPON ONU’s, Fiber Media Converters and more.
Figure 2: SC connector

Figure 3: ADnet’s Gigabit Fiber Media Converter with Single Mode Dual fiber port using SC
connector (UPC type).

3. Ferrule Core Connector (FC)

Although the FC connector was widely used in fiber optic networks until of late, its use is dwindling fast.
This connector uses a threaded container and a position locatable notch to achieve exact locating of the
SMF in relation to the receiver and the optical source. Once the connector is installed, its position is
maintained with total precision.
FC connector is pretty common choice for example in Video over Fiber Transmission Equipment.

Figure 4: ADnet’s AHD/TVI/CVI over fiber 1 port transmitter with FC connector.

Figure 5: FC connector
 4. ST Connector

The ST connector’s keyed bayonet design is similar to that of a BNC (Bayonet Nut Connector or Bayonet
Neill-Concelman) connector. The connector is used widely for MMF and SMF FOC and is extremely easy
to use. The ST connector is manufactured in two versions – the ST and the ST-II. Both types are keyed and
spring loaded, and use a “push-in and twist” mechanism.

Figure 6: ST connector

In some cases, if Multimode type cable is required, some of our customers order RCA audio over fiber
converter, with ST connectors:
Figure 6: ST connector on RCA audio over fiber converter

5. SMA Connector

The obsolete SMA connector was the forerunner to the ST connector which we discussed above.. This
connector was eventually replaced by the ST, and later by SC connectors.
Figure 7: SMA connector

6. Lucent Connector (LC)

The Lucent Connector, sometimes referred to as the Little Connector, is a small form factor FOC that uses a
1.25 mm ferrule. There are 3 different types of LC connectors:

 Single Mode LC APC

 Single Mode LC UPC
 Multi-Mode LC UPC

If you had used any SFP module, you have sure seen this connector.

Figure 8: LC connector

LC connector is always present on SFP’s, and if some equipment uses SFP as transmitter, like for example
our USB over fiber transmitters, then you can recognize it easily:
Figure 8: LC connector on USB over Fiber Transmitter set from AD-net

7. Plastic Fiber Optic Cable Connectors

There are relatively fewer plastic connectors available when compared to glass fiber. These connectors are
cheaper and are primarily designed for easy application. Polished and epoxy options are generally not
available for plastic connectors.

Plastic FOC connectors are available in both standard and proprietary designs. Although SMA or ST
connectors are mainly designed for use with glass, they can also be used with plastic FOC.
Figure 9: POF connectors

8. Enterprise Systems Connection Connector (ESCON)

ESCON connectors were developed by IBM for interfacing peripheral storage devices, including tape
drives, to their mainframes. ESCON is a half-duplex serial interface that uses FOC.
Figure 10: ESCON connectors

9. Fiber Distributed Data Interface Connector (FDDI)

FDDI provides data transmission at 100 Mbps in a dual ring token local area network within a 200-
kilometer range. The FDDI connector connects network equipments to a wall plug. The connector contains a
2.5mm ferrule that can mate onto ST and SC connectors by making use of adapters.

Figure 11: FDDI connectors

10. Opti-Jack
The Opti-Jack duplex connector resembles the universal RJ-45 connector. The package contains two ST
type ferrules and is a rugged plug-and-jack (female / male) connector.

Figure 11: Opti-Jack connectors

11. LX-5 Connector

The LX-5 provides high density, high performance and reliable connections. This connector uses automatic
metal shutter technology in a standardized small form factor package with a 1.25 mm ferrule. These
connectors are designed for use in CATV applications as well as in modern day high performance

telecommunication networks. The LX-5 achieves high packing density because of its small form factor,
while automatic metal shutter delivers enhanced safety and high performance. At 0.1 db, the insertion loss
of this connector is one of the lowest in the market.
Figure 12: LX-5 connectors

12. Volition Connector

The Volition connector is unique in that it does use a ferrule. This plug-and-jack duplex connector employs a
‘V’ shaped groove to align the fibers.

Figure 13: Volition connectors

13. MT-RJ connector

The single polymer ferrule duplex MT-RJ connector includes alignment. It is available in female / male
connectors, or a plug-and-jack format.
Figure 14: MT-RJ connector

14. MU Connector

MU Connectors have a reduced footprint and are new generation connectors used mainly in dense
applications. The connector is square and employs a push-pull mating mechanism. The different variations
of this connector are listed below:

 Single Mode APC

 Single Mode UPC
 Multi Mode UPC

This connector is used for SONET, SDH, LAN, WDM, CATV as well as ATM applications.
Figure 15: MU connector

15. MT Connector

The MT connector is a ribbon cable that has 12 fiber connectors. They are used for factory terminated cable
assemblies and cabling systems.
Figure 16: MT connector

16. E2000 Connector

Modern day telecommunication networks increasingly make use of E2000 connectors. The inclusion of an
integrated spring loaded shutter is a unique feature of this connector. It protects the ferrule from dirt, dust
and scratches. As this connector uses a monobloc ceramic ferrule, problems associated with different co-
efficient of expansion are eliminated. The E2000 is a latched push-pull locking connector. The E2000 is
trademarked by Diamond SA, based in Losone Switzerland.

This connector is available in the following variations:

 Single Mode APC

 Single Mode UPC
 Multi Mode UPC

The major advantages of this connector are the enhanced safety and high performance due the shutter
mechanism and the monobloc ferrule. The E2000 connector supports color keying and its return loss of 0.1
db is one of the lowest in the industry. This connector is used in broadband applications, telecommunication
networks, LAN (Fiber-In-the-loop [FITL], Fiber CATV, Fiber-to-the-Desk [FTTD], Fiber-to-the-Home
[FTTH] and data networks.
Figure 17: E2000 connector