Fiber Coupler Characteristics

Fiber optic couplers (also known as adapters) continue to be replaced in importance by connectors. But the truth is, they are critical elements in fiber optic links and systems that play an important role in connection performance. Why?

Because the purpose of the fiber optic coupler is to connect or mate the connectors together so that the fiber optic cables between each other can be connected into active devices.

The function of the connector is to precisely clamp, secure and align the optical fiber with its ferrule. The purpose of a fiber optic coupler is to precisely hold, hold and align the ferrule and its mating sleeve so that the ferrule comes together at the midpoint. What does it mean?

The characteristics of the alignment accuracy between the ferrule of the connector and the mating sleeve of the coupler determine the performance of the interconnection assembly.

Typically, fiber optic couplers are used to connect same style connectors

SC to SC

holy to holy

LC to LC

But there are also some called hybrid adapters that match different styles of connectors, for example:

SC to ST

SC to LC etc.

Typically, most adapters are female and allow a connection between two fiber optic cables for communication from a distance via a direct connection. But there are also male and female connectors, which usually plug into the connector port of the device.

SC coupler

SC couplers are available in simplex and duplex types. Singlemode UPC couplers are blue, multimode UPC are beige, and singlemode SC/APC couplers are green.

SC/APC couplers are one of the most reliable connections, which is why they are widely used in:

Fiber to the Home Deployment

cable TV

local area network

WAN applications.

LC coupler

LCD connector

LC connectors are one of the most popular miniature connectors, which is why LC connectors are widely used in high-density applications along with LC couplers.

LC couplers are also manufactured in blue (for UPC singlemode), beige (for UPC multimode), and green (for APC singlemode) as well as simplex and duplex styles.

ST coupler

ST adapters are available in metal and plastic, and in simplex and duplex styles in singlemode, multimode, and APC versions. They are used to connect ST connectors and components.