Analysis of some knowledge about optical fiber adapter

The optical fiber adapter can accurately connect the two connectors and ensure that the loss is reduced as much as possible while transmitting the most light sources. It is mainly used for the connection between optical fiber jumper and optical fiber jumper or between optical fiber jumper and equipment. So, do you know what types of fiber adapters there are? What factors should be considered in selecting the optical fiber adapter and how to clean it correctly after using the optical fiber adapter? The following will introduce you to the relevant knowledge of optical fiber adapter and answer the above questions for you.

What is a fiber adapter?

Optical fiber adapter is one of the most widely used basic components in optical fiber communication, also known as optical fiber coupler or optical fiber flange. It is usually used in optical fiber link connection in telecom network, CATV network and regional network. The function of optical fiber adapter is to realize the docking of the same or different optical fiber movable connectors under the condition of small loss (i.e. minimal impact on the system). As we all know, the key of optical fiber connection is the accurate alignment of optical fiber core, but the traditional connection methods have some defects, such as cracks, pores, slag inclusion, incomplete fusion or incomplete penetration. The difference between the optical fiber adapter and it is that its internal alignment sleeve can accurately locate the optical fiber connector and ensure the accuracy of connection, so as to realize the high-performance connection between optical fiber jumpers.

Common types of fiber adapters:

There are many types of optical fiber adapters. The following mainly introduces the four common types of optical fiber adapters: LC optical fiber adapter, FC optical fiber adapter, SC optical fiber adapter and bare optical fiber adapter.

LC fiber adapter

The connector of LC optical fiber adapter is small square. It is divided into single-mode and multi-mode LC optical fiber adapter according to different optical fiber types. The connector types include LC-LC, lc-fc, LC-SC, lc-st and lc-mu. LC optical fiber adapter can be installed on the adapter panel to connect LC optical fiber jumper or LC optical fiber connector, etc.

FC fiber adapter

The FC optical fiber adapter connector is circular, which is similar to the LC optical fiber adapter, and can be divided into single and multi-mode. The connector types include lc-fc, sc-fc and fc-st. The external of the optical fiber adapter adopts metal shell and ceramic sleeve, and the fastening method is turnbuckle, which is stable and reliable. It can be used to connect FC optical fiber jumper or FC connector.

SC optical fiber adapter

The connectors of SC optical fiber adapter are large square head and various types, such as standard female female SC optical fiber adapter and hybrid SC optical fiber adapter (such as sc-lc optical fiber adapter). At present, most SC fiber adapters use ceramic sleeves, but multimode SC fiber adapters with bronze sleeves will also be seen. SC optical fiber adapter is characterized by high compressive strength, small insertion loss fluctuation, high installation density, stability and reliability. It can be used to connect SC optical fiber jumper or SC connector.

bare fiber adaptor

As a special optical fiber adapter, bare fiber adapter can connect bare fiber cable to optical devices. This type of adapter allows the cable to be installed in the connection slot, whether it is inserted into accessories or electronic devices.

Factors to consider when selecting fiber adapters

Because there are many kinds of optical fiber adapters and the appearance of optical fiber adapters supplied by different suppliers is very similar, you may not know how to choose. In general, when selecting a fiber adapter, you should consider the following two points.

Connector and cable type

First, determine the type of optical fiber adapter according to the type of connecting cable and connector. For example:

1. If the optical fiber adapter is connected to the single-mode optical fiber jumper, select the single-mode optical fiber adapter. If the multi-mode optical fiber jumper is connected, select the multi-mode optical fiber adapter.

2. The connector types connected at both ends of the optical fiber adapter are the same. Select the optical fiber adapter with the same connector type, such as LC-LC optical fiber adapter. However, if the connector types connected are different, you need to select a hybrid optical fiber adapter, such as LC-SC optical fiber adapter. The specific choice of optical fiber adapter for which connector is connected depends on the type of connector connected.

Material of alignment sleeve

Secondly, the optical fiber adapter made of ceramic quasi sleeve material is preferred. The alignment sleeve is the most important component of the optical fiber adapter. Some manufacturers choose metal as the material of the alignment sleeve, but it has been verified that the use effect of the optical fiber adapter made of ceramic is much better than that of the optical fiber adapter using metal as the alignment sleeve, because the crystal structure of ceramic is very hard, It will not deform over time like metal material, so it can realize fast alignment and high-precision optical fiber end connection. Fast (FS) optical fiber adapters adopt imported ceramic sleeves and high-density production technology, which can realize high-precision optical fiber end connection.

Cleaning method of optical fiber adapter:

Although the optical fiber adapter is relatively small and belongs to a small component in optical fiber cabling, it does not affect its important position in the optical fiber cabling system, and like other optical fiber equipment, it needs to be cleaned regularly. There are two main cleaning methods, namely dry cleaning and wet cleaning.

Dry cleaning: first, insert a dry cleaning rod into the optical fiber adapter and take it out after rotating for cleaning, then align the cleaning rod with the sleeve, clean the connector inside the optical fiber adapter, and check whether the end face of the connector is polluted.

Wet cleaning: first, dip the cleaning rod into the optical fiber cleaning solution, insert the wet cleaning rod into the adapter, rotate the cleaning rod on the surface of the alignment sleeve, then take a dry cotton swab to clean the connector inside the optical fiber adapter, and then check whether the end face of the connector is polluted.

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