What is LC Connector? Why Choose LC Connector?

A fiber optic connector is a flexible device that can quickly connect and disconnect optical cables. There are various types of fiber optic connectors, including LC fiber optic connectors, SC fiber optic connectors, FC fiber optic connectors, ST fiber optic connectors, etc. Among them, the LC fiber optic connector is one of the most common types of fiber optic connectors. This article will give a clear explanation of What is LC connector and how to use it.

What is LC Connector?

duplex lc fiber connector
duplex lc connector

LC connector is a small form factor (SFF) connector designed to connect LC optical fibers where they need to be connected or disconnected. LC connector originally developed by Lucent Technologies for use in telecommunications environments. Therefore, LC mainly stands for Lucent Connector. In addition, LC can also stand for Little Connector and Local Connector. These LC connector use the traditional components of standard connectors but have a 1.25 mm ceramic ferrule.

How to Identify LC Connector?

simplex singlemode LC Connector

  1. Compact Design

LC fiber connector miniaturized versions of SC fiber connectors, being 50% smaller. They have a square plastic housing with a 1.25 mm ceramic ferrule.

  1. High Density

Using LC connectors increases the density of fiber connections in patch panels.

  1. Wide Applications

Typically, LC fiber connector used to connect optical fibers and optical modules, usually in the form of LC-SC or LC-FC pairs, rather than single LC patch cords.

LC Fiber Connector Types

LC APC UPC Connector
LC APC UPC Connector

LC connectors have single-mode and multi-mode tolerances. The polishing types of LC connectors are UPC and APC. LC APC fiber connectors have an octave angle to minimize back reflections and can be identified by their green housing and strain relief boot. Whereas LC UPC fiber connectors can easily identified by their blue color. Typically, there are two versions of LC connectors: patch cord connectors and BTW connectors.

Patch cord connectors can used to terminate simplex and duplex 1.6 to 2.0 mm cables. Due to the trigger and standard latch, it is very convenient to engage and disengage. In addition, the patch cord connector is suitable for patch cords in LAN, central office, and premises distribution systems.

BTW (Behind the Wall) connector is a shorter version of LC for installation on 0.9 mm optical fiber. It usually used on the back of the equipment. In addition, BTW connectors usually adopt finger buckles and extended latches, which makes BTW connectors easy to engage and disengage.

Why Choose LC Connector?

Nowadays, LC fiber connectors are very popular in the market. Here are several significant advantages of LC connectors:

  1. Low cost

With LC connectors, system costs can reduced. The size of LC connectors is half that of traditional SC connectors. Therefore, it can double the fiber density of shelves and stores.

  1. Low loss

The polarization characteristics of LC connectors help maintain the transmission or reception direction and ensure high repeatability.

  1. Durable

LC connectors have anti-hooking locks, which can improve durability and reduce the rearrangement work caused by cross-connection.

  1. Easy to use

Installation time is saved because there is no need to install field-installed connectors.