Fiber Optic Adapters or Couplers are used to join two fiber cables together. Firstly , these come in variations such as Single-Mode (9/125) and Multi-mode (50/125 or 62.5/125) also Simplex and Duplex. Secondly ,these are used to join Fiber optic cables of same core diameter.
The single-mode adapters offer more precise alignment of the tips of the connectors. This is to say that One should not use Single mode Adapters to Multi-mode fibers or Vise-Versa. Hence, a mismatch here will cause attenuation in one direction (where the larger fiber is transmitting light into the smaller fiber).
Therefore , Fiber optic adapters are used for connecting cables with similar connectors (SC to SC, LC to LC, etc.). Some adapters, called “hybrid”, accept different types of connectors (ST to SC, LC to SC, etc.). Hence, These adapters are significantly more expensive because of a more complicated design/manufacturing process.
Most adapters are female on both ends, to connect two cables. Some are male-female, which typically plug into a port on a piece of equipment.
Fiber Optic Adapters Multi-mode
In short we can say these fiber optic adapters are for connecting multi mode cables together where each cable has only one fiber. Again be sure that the two cables have the same core size (50/125 or 62.5/125) to avoid excessive loss (attenuation).
SC Multi-Mode Fiber Adapter
Specifications
Connectors- SC (female) to SC (female)
Body material- Polymer
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead, SC footprint hole (13.2mm x 9.7mm, 0.52in x 0.38in)
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Multimode
Color- Beige
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
LC Multi-Mode adapter
Specifications
Connectors- LC (female) to LC (female)
Body material- Polymer
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead, LC footprint hole (7.2mm x 11.8mm, 0.28in x 0.46in)
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Multimode
Color- Beige
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
FC Multi-Mode Adapter
Specifications
Connectors- FC (female) to FC (female)
Body material- Metal
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead 8.5mm hole (0.34in)
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Multimode
Color- Metal
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
ST Multi-Mode Adapter
Specifications
Connectors- ST (female) to ST (female)
Body material- Metal
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead (3/8″ hole or double-D at 5/16″). Nut and lock washer included.
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Multimode
Color- Metal
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
Fiber Optic Adapters Single-mode
SC Single-Mode Adapter
Specifications
Connectors- SC (female) to SC (female)
Body material- Polymer
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead, SC footprint hole (13.2mm x 9.7mm, 0.52in x 0.38in)
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Singlemode
Color- Blue
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
LC single-Mode adapter
Specifications
Connectors- two LC (female) to two LC (female)
Body material- Polymer
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead mount (Duplex LC hole: 0.53in x 0.53in, 13.5mm x 13.5mm).
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Duplex
Precision- Singlemode
Color- Blue
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
FC Single-Mode adapter
Specifications
Connectors- FC (female) to FC (female)
Body material- Metal
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead 8.5mm hole (.34in)
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Singlemode
Color- Metal
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
ST Single-Mode adapter
Specifications
Connectors- ST (female) to ST (female)
Body material- Metal
Mounting- Free standing or bulkhead (3/8″ hole or double-D at 5/16″). Nut and lock washer included.
Alignment sleeve material- Zirconia Ceramic
Channels- Simplex
Precision- Singlemode
Color- Metal
Insertion Loss (IL)- <0.2dB
Durability- <0.1dB change after 500 matings
Operating Temperature- -4 º C to +75 º C (+25 º F to +165 º F)
Hybrid Adapters
Above all these adapters are used for multi connectors like any one connector ( SC/LC/FC/ST) on one side and any other connector on the second side. For example SC-LC , FC-SC etc.
FC-SC adapter simplex
FC-LC adapter Simplex
SC-LC adapter Simplex
LC-ST adapter simplex
SC-ST adapter simplex