fiber optic coupler

What is a fiber optic coupler and how to choose the right one? The importance of fiber optic couplers (also known as adapters) continues to be replaced by connectors. But the truth is that they are key elements in fiber optic links and systems and play an important role in connection performance. Why?

Because the purpose of fiber optic couplers is to connect or mate connectors together, making it possible to connect fiber optic cables between each other into active devices.

The role of the connector is to precisely hold, hold and align the optical fiber with its ferrule. The purpose of a fiber optic coupler is to precisely hold, hold and align the ferrules with their mating sleeves so that the ferrules are brought together at the midpoint. What does it mean?

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

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

SC to SC

ST to ST

LC to LC

But some of them are called hybrid adapters, which can match different styles of connectors, such as:

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 couplers, which usually plug into a device's connector port.

SC coupler

SC couplers are available in simplex and duplex styles. Single-mode UPC couplers are blue, multi-mode UPCs are beige, and single-mode SC/APC couplers are green.

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

FTTH deployment

cable TV

local area network

WAN applications.

LC coupler

lc 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 are also available in simplex and duplex styles in singlemode, multimode and APC versions. They are used to link ST connectors and components.