An Overview Of Lc And Sc Fiber Optic Connectors

By Author: Ryan
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Fiber optic cables are a popular alternative to copper cables. In network transmission, they are often utilized in conjunction with fiber connections. Fiber connectors are devices that help connect fiber cables to network equipment. They are available in a variety of types, including LC, SC, MTP, and FC connectors, with LC and SC Cable being the most widely utilized. Do I select LC or SC connectors? This has always been a hot topic. In this article, we will present and clarify the distinctions between LC and SC connectors.


Overview of Fiber Optic Connectors


Unlike copper cables, fiber optic cables convey light rather than electrical signals. As a result, fiber optic connectors must be precisely made to assure precision. Fiber connectors typically consist of ferrules and connector bodies. Different fiber optic connectors use different coupling techniques.


Among the many fiber optic connectors available, including FC, LC, SC, ST, CS, MTP, MDC, and MT connectors, LC and SC connectors are widely utilized in fiber network transmission.


What are ...
... SC Connectors?


SC or Standard Connectors, also known as Subscriber connectors and Stick-and-Click connectors, are among the oldest fiber connectors, having been developed by NTT laboratories in the mid-1980s. The term comes from its nature (square connection), even though it is a rectangle connector.


Although many SC connectors have varying structures, a basic SC connector is made up of a dust cap, connector housing, inner frame, spring, stopper, and boot. The SC connector has a locking tab and a push-pull latching mechanism that allows for easy connection and disconnection. It has a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper alignment and minimal insertion loss. SC connectors are commonly employed in passive optical networks due to their high-precision transmissions.


What are LC connectors?


LC Cable is also known as Lucent Connectors, Little Connectors, or Local Connectors. The term originates from the Latin phrase light-bearing, which refers to the connector's ability to carry data via a beam of light. LC connectors, developed by Lucent Technologies in the early 2000s, have become one of the most widely used fiber optic connectors on the market today.


The basic LC connector comprises the dust cover, connector housing, ferrule, spring, and boot. The connector has a latch-locking mechanism. It has a 1.25mm ceramic ferrule, roughly half the size of the SC connector. There are two types of LC connectors: one for fiber patch cables and another known as a behind-the-wall (BTW) connector. They are particularly beneficial in high-density environments where regular maintenance is required.


High-speed internet infrastructure relies heavily on SC and LC connectors.


LC connections are commonly used in high-density telecommunications applications, such as fiber optic patch panels for data centers and server rooms. SC Cable are slightly larger and are used for general uses such as connecting fiber optics to a computer, Wi-Fi router, or gaming consoles. They are the go-to choice for both single-mode and multimode systems.


In addition, fiber optic adapters or hybrid cables can convert SC connectors to LC and vice versa. These adapters allow for the coupling of multiple connector types, assuring the compatibility of fiber optic systems.

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