MTP fiber cable assembly to what kind of LC connectors?

Here we go again, changing things when a traditional LC connector worked just fine, or did it? Over the past couple of years the convenience of a small footprint by the LC connector has been evolving due to manufactures battling for your data center dollars. Let's quickly go over the different types of connectors.

1) LC Traditional Duplex - This has been the most popular LC duplex connector since the dawn of time. A simple yet effective design by tightly holding 2 individual strands of terminated LC simplex connectors. A small clip is used to hold the connectors together and also offers a press down tab to easily remove the connectors from the port. Can you remove the small clip? Sure, but it's a chore and you'll destroy it.

2)  LC AFOP Duplex - The AFOP LC duplex has almost everything in common as your LC traditional duplex but the connectors are easily removed and reattached. If your in a busy closet you might have to move single a strand around, especially in an emergency or maybe reverse the polarity. A small clip is used to hold the connectors together, also offers a press down tab to easily remove the connectors from the port and has openings on the sides to allow you to separate the connectors and put them back together.

3) LC Generic UNIBOOT - The LC connector portion of the UNIBOOT is similar to the LC traditional duplex connector, but the main difference is that you have 2 strands of fiber now in one jacket. Since your now saving space in your cable raceway you can add more cables in the same size raceway or save on cost by installing a smaller raceway. This is an excellent choice for high density applications.

4) LC SANWA UNIBOOT - This connector is named after the the manufacture SANWA and truthfully after playing with this connector vs. the generic UNIBOOT I can't tell the difference, until I grabbed an additional tool that cracks this connector open. After opening it you can reverse the polarity easily! Check the video out. I've also seen this connector specified on many Verizon projects.

5) LC UNIVERSAL - This connector is a proprietary connector. Accepts the traditional size LC connector but also accepts the "MINI LC" for small footprint mini SFP (mSFP) ports. I thought the LC connector was small enough already but space is money. Currently these "High Density MINI LC" connectors are commonly installed and designed to work with Brocade's FC8-64 high density 64 port blade.

You'll probably want to save this post somewhere, I wrote it so I have it saved. If you check the rest of this blog out it's hard to keep track of everything going on out there, I can't remember it all. Don't forget to follow me on GOOGLE PLUS thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"

LC Fiber Optic Connector Plug and Adapter Overview

LC style optical fiber plugs and adapters offer all the benefits of SC and ST style connectors in a SFF (Small Form Factor), high density design. LC style connectors are about half the size of SC style duplex connectors, providing significantly greater density.

LC connectors are available in a simplex and duplex arrangement. The simplex connectors are suitable for termination to buffered fiber while maintaining proper bend radius requirements in tight spaces.

Let's take a look at a simplex LC fiber plug before it's terminated.

Here's a look at a duplex LC fiber plug, typically more common with fiber patch jumpers.

LC male connectors use the familiar RJ style latch found on balanced copper twisted pair plugs and of course are available in singlemode and multimode.

Advantages and disadvantages of LC style fiber optic connectors

Let's check out some of the advantages:

• It is available as a simplex connector that can be converted to a duplex connector using a clip.
• It is keyed, low loss, pull proof, and wiggle proof.
• It can be terminated quickly in many different ways, including quick-cure adhesive, cleave and crimp, and hot melt.
• It features SFF design, suitable for high density applications.
• The LC connector and adapters are commonly used in network equipment transceivers.

The disadvantage of the LC connector design is that SFF designs may be difficult to access in high density fields, you may want to pick up a LC extraction tool.

Numerous application standards recognize the use of simplex and duplex LC style connectors and adapters such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), Fibre Channel, broadband integrated services digital network (ISDN), and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Gigabit Ethernet also allows the use of SFF connectors.

Need more fiber optic information? Check out other post on our blog and our YouTube Channel. 

"By Mercy Salinas"

What are the most popular Fiber Optic Connector types?

When I first started terminating fiber optic connectors around 15 years ago maybe around 1997, I remember doing a handful of different types. Like FC, FDDI, MT Array, SC, ST, SMA, MTRJ, MU and so on. It was a huge chore, not only knowing how to properly terminate all these but having to stock all of these connectors to take care of your customers needs in a timely fashion.

I do remember around the year 2000-2001 the MTRJ connector had an amazing spurt where it felt like the industry was possibly standardizing on a connector but no.

The only connectors that have stood the test of time are the SC and ST connectors. The SC connectors (Set and Click is what I call them) are a square front design while the ST (Set and Twist) connector is round and is basically a smaller version of a coax BNC male connector.
Here's a quick look at one of our YouTube videos on the most common connectors as of today.



The LC connector has really been a beast over the past couple of years. It seems to be a more common input for Hewlett Packard Pro Curve and Cisco Catalyst switches and for SFP modules.

These 3 connectors seem to be the most common at this point in time but there is also another connector called MPO that has been gaining traction in data centers and could possibly contend for popularity in the long term.

Now if your thinking about terminating these connectors check out another one of our many YouTube videos, this one is called How to Terminate Fiber Optic Network Cable

Comment below please. Thanks!

"By Mercy Salinas"