Common fiber optic connectors (ST, SC, LC, FC) and the difference between PC, APC and UPC

      1. Several common fiber optic connectors (ST, SC, LC, FC)
      FC type fiber optic connector: the external reinforcement is using a metal sleeve, the fastening method is screw buckle;
      SC type fiber optic connector: connecting GBIC optical module or common fiber optic transceiver connector, it is a rectangular shell, fastening method is to use the plug pin latch type, do not have to rotate;
      ST-type fiber optic connector: commonly used in fiber optic distribution frame, the shell is round, fastening method for the screw;
      LC-type fiber optic connectors: connectors for SFP modules, it is easy to operate modular jack (RJ) latch mechanism made.

Figure 1  ST, SC, LC, FC

      2. Fiber optic adapters PC, APC and UPC
      Laboratory common fiber optic connectors are mainly FC/PC and FC/APC two kinds. Here the FC refers to ferrule contactor, is a steel metal sleeve.
      PC refers to the close contact physical contact), the same is a close contact, according to the different return loss, the connector is divided into PC, UPC and APC. UPC refers to ultra physical contact, PC and UPC industry standards provide for the return loss of -35dB, -50dB (return loss refers to how many proportions of light and then by the end face of the connector), the return loss of -50dB (return loss refers to how many proportions of light and then by the end face of the connector). The return loss refers to how many proportions of light is reflected by the connector end face, the smaller the return loss is better, of course, you can also say that the value of the return loss is the greater the better, do not take into account the front of the minus sign), different connectors can not be mixed in principle, but the PC, UPC fiber end face are planar, the difference lies in the quality of the grinding, so the PC and UPC mixing is not yet on the connector to form a permanent physical damage.
      APC is completely different, its end face is ground into an 8-degree angle, is to reduce the reflection of the industry standard return loss of -60dB. APC connector can only be connected to the APC. Since the structure of APC is completely different from PC, if the two connectors are connected with a flange, the fiber end face of the connector will be damaged.
      Therefore, in order to avoid the confusion of connector use during the experiment (to avoid destroying the input port of the spectrometer, etc.), you need to be sure to figure out the type of interface when purchasing the matching patch cable.

Figure 2  PC, APC and UPC

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