Handbook for Sound Engineers

472 Chapter 15

provides face contact between joining connectors. A
modified version of the FC called FC/PC was the first to
use physical contact between fiber ends to reduce inser-
tion loss and to increase return loss by minimizing
reflections at the interfaces of the joining fibers.

15.9.3.4 ST Connector

The ST (straight through) connector was introduced in
early 1985 by AT&T Bell Laboratories. The ST connec-

tor design utilizes a spring-loaded twist and lock cou-
pling, similar to the BNC connectors used with coax
cable. The ST prevents the fiber from rotating during
multiple connections. This insures more consistent
insertion loss during multiple connections. The ST is
becoming the most popular FOC at the present time
because of performance and compatibility. There are

many versions of this ST-type connector being offered
by other FOC manufacturers, even some that require no
epoxy, just a simple crimp.

15.9.3.5 SC Connector

Most recent on the market is the SC-type connector

developed by NTT of Japan. It is a molded plastic con-

nector which employs a rectangular cross section and

push-pull instead of threaded coupling. The SC achieves

a much lower insertion loss than other types of FOCs

and has a greater packing density which is useful in mul-

ticable installations. Recently Hirose Electric Co. and

Seiko of Japan are manufacturing an SC type that has

push-pull locking and employs a zirconia ferrule.

15.9.3.6 D4 Connector

The D4 connector was designed by NEC Nippon Elec-

tric Corp., Tokyo, Japan. It is similar to the D3, which

was a forerunner of the FC.

15.9.3.7 FDDI Connector

The FDDI (Fiber Data Distributed Interface) connector

is another recently developed connector. This connector

is described and endorsed by the FDDI standard. The

IEEE 802.8 (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engi-

neers) committee now recommends the FDDI connector

for all networks involving duplex fiber operation. How-

ever, the increasing gain of the duplex SC connector is

making it more popular.

15.9.3.8 SFF (Small Form Factor) Connectors

The SFF connectors are fiber optic connectors newly

designed to allow for fast, lower cost and increased den-

sity of the patch panel/cross-connect field. They are

approximately half the size of the traditional ST and SC

connectors.

15.9.3.9 LC Connector

The LC SFF connector by Lucent Technologies was

introduced to the market in late 1996. The LC connector

employs a 1.25 mm ceramic ferrule with a push-pull

insertion release mechanism similar to the familiar

RJ-45 telephone modular plug. The LC incorporates an

antisnag latch that improves durability and reduces

cross-connect rearrangement effort. The LC is available

in both simplex and duplex types.

Figure 15-31. Popular fiber optic connectors. (Drawn by
Ronald G. Ajemian.)

BICONIC SMA FC/PC ST

SC D4 FDDI

LC MT-RJ