Introduction of Fiber Optic Cables

As one of the most basic components of optical network wiring, the fiber optic cables are widely used in the construction of optical fiber links. Nowadays fiber manufacturers launch various types of fiber optic cables to meet application of diversified project, such as fiber optic cables with types of connectors (MPO/LC/SC/FC/ST), simplex/duplex fiber optic cables and single-mode/multi-mode fiber optic cables etc. Each type of fiber optic cables has its own characteristic, and be irreplaceable. This article would be a detailed introduction of fiber optic cables or a guide for you to choose in wiring.

Types of Connectors

As per types of optical fiber connectors fiber optic cables can be classified MPO/MTP/LC/SC/FC/ST/MTRJ/MU/E2000/DIN fiber optic cables. Although these different types of fiber optic cables have similar components (consisting of connectors and cables) and the same functions, they have different application scenarios due to their different characteristics and performance

LC Fiber Optic Cables

LC fiber optic cable is one of the most commonly used one in optical network. Because of its small size, which has the LC connector with diameter ferrule of 1.25mm, it is very suitable for high-density wiring, so it is widely used in computer rooms and data centers. According to the different working mode of the interface, it is divided into LC simplex fiber optic cable and LC duplex fiber optic cable.

SC Fiber Optic Cables

SC fiber optic cable uses a 2.5mm diameter ferrule SC connector, which is twice the size of the LC connector, so it is also known as the large square head connector (large square head fiber optic cable). The fiber optic cables with push-pull structure, plug and play, and has excellent performance, it is very suitable for telecommunications and data network systems, including point-to-point passive optical network.

MPO/MTP Fiber Optic Cables

MPO/MTP fiber optic cable is one of the common fiber optic cable in the current high rate data communication system, such as 40G/100G direct connection and inter connection etc. And MPO/MTP fiber optic cable is a kind of fiber optic cable using multi-core fiber connector, can accommodate 6~144 fibers, is currently the largest capacity of fiber optic cable. MPO/MTP fiber optic cable is composed of fiber, sheath, coupling components, metal rings, pins (pins), dust caps, etc., which are divided into polar A/ polar B/ polar C male/female fiber optic cable due to the different fiber core number arrangement position and different pins. Due to the difference in the application of different types, it is necessary for us to the appropriate MPO/MTP fiber optic cable according to the actual link situation.

FC Fiber Optic Cables

The FC fiber optic cable is the first fiber optic cable to use ceramic plug connectors. Unlike the LC fiber optic cable and SC fiber optic cable, the connector is a circular spiral connector made of nickel plating or stainless steel, which needs to be fixed to the adapter or jack using a screw thread clamp. Although the installation of the FC fiber optic cable is more complicated, it is still the commonly used fiber optic cable to connect the optical time domain reflectometer. At first, FC fiber optic cables were also used in telecom and data network systems, but gradually withdrew from the market with the launching of LC fiber optic cables and SC fiber optic cables on the market.

ST Fiber Optic Cables

ST fiber optic cable is a fiber optic cable developed and manufactured by AT&T after FC fiber optic cable. The ST fiber optic cable uses a spring ""ed ceramic ferrule (2.5mm diameter), snap-in connector with an insertion loss of approximately 0.25dB for both long and short distance applications such as campus networks, enterprise networks, and military applications. However, in recent years, the market share of ST fiber optic cable and FC fiber optic cable is gradually declining.