0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Connector Types
01:37 - Single Mode Connectors
02:36 - LC Connector
03:37 - SC Connector
04:22 - ST Connector
05:04 - FC Connector
05:52 - MPO Connector
06:54 - E2000 / LX.5 Connector
07:40 - CS Connector
08:22 - Recomendations

A quick guide to FO Connectors!

There are many types of fiber connectors to choose from. Since the introduction of the first commercial fiber connector the Deutsch 1000 in the 1970 till today fiber connectors have went into a great journey of improvement and advancement. This was a mandatory growth to cope with the higher bandwidth demand that we see day by day. In this article we look at the most famous connectors that are still used and at some of the new connectors that will have their bigger share in the future.
First let us take a moment to look at the different types and classifications of fiber optic connectors. Fiber connectors could be Single Mode (SM) or Multi mode (MM). All connectors that we see today are Physical Contact (PC) connectors. In MM connectors, we have 2 core sizes the 62.5/125 micron and the 50/125 micron. In single mode in the other had we have only one core size 9/125 micron. However, for better performance, the SM connectors are also available in Ultra Physical Contact (UPC) and Angled Physical Contact (APC).
Initially connectors were made with a flat contact. Introducing the PC that is polished with a slight spherical (cone) design gave a great improvement to the performance. The UPC connector is an improved version of the PC connector with a better convex end-face surface finish resulting in even better attenuation and return loss. The APC connector adds an 8-degree angled tip that results in low return losses in the region of -60dB. The angle has an important factor in reducing the return loss as any light that is reflected towards the source is directed out into the fiber cladding.