What is a LC Connector

Fiber optics connectors are essential in every Optical Network since these connector’s primary purpose is to achieve a precise, accurate and stable connection at the end of the fiber. Fiber Optic connectors can either be designed as Simplex, meaning there is a connector per end of the fiber and Duplex which means there are two connectors at the end. Moreover, fiber optic connectors have different kinds which are used according to specification of a network. These connectors have interfaces like SC, ST, FC, MPO/MTP, LC and many more.  However, the most popular and widely used connector in the industry is the LC interface that is configured in a duplex mode.

DEFINITION AND USES OF LUCENT CONNECTOR:

LC stands for Lucent Connector, it was developed by Lucent Technologies, LC is considered as an SFF or Small Form Factor connector due to its small assembly. LC connectors has a mating cycle of 1000, it meets many standards like, IEEE802, TIA/EIA-604, TIA568A, IEC 86B WG6, ISO 11801. It was also accepted as 1394B S800 Standard for Home and Commercial video as well as Telcordia SFF requirement that is defined in GR-326-Core. This Connector is very popular due to various reasons.

Primarily, LC duplex connectors are so small that it has a 1.25mm pin type ferrule. Due to this small ferrule, its body is also designed in a small low cost plastic composition.   The body is made of like a miniature RJ45, which means it features a latched mechanism that makes it the most user-friendly connector. Due to this mechanism, it allows the user an easy insertion and extraction from an Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) or directly from an equipment without using a tool.  Below is what an LC Connector looks like:

Based on the picture above, LC features an anti-snag latch and in duplex-mode, it can simultaneously dis-engage both fibers which is extremely reliable especially in a rack mounted equipment. The latch has also an audible click once inserted to assure full insertion of the connector to an ODF or an equipment.  Aside from this, Duplex LC connectors have polarity markings like A/B or 1/2 to maintain Tx/Rx directions and it always have a stress relief boot or buffet that is significantly important in protecting the fibers against micro bends.

The combination of its size and latch feature makes the LC duplex connectors excellent to be used in a highly populated patch panels or ODF. Engineers or technicians can easily install LC Duplex in ODF even it already contains many fibers due to the latching mechanism and audible click that is produced when a duplex LC connector if fully inserted.  Moreover, LC connectors offer a small port density allows LC to save space in patch panels, cabinets and communication racks.

Ultimately, LC Duplex connections was designed as a high performance connector in an optical, environmental and mechanical criterion either in a multimode or single mode fiber operation. It has the lowest insertion loss at 0.10dB in average and a return loss or 0.33dB in average to its small ceramic ferrule.  It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C to +75° C and can tolerate tensile loading of 10lbs at 0° C with less than 2dB change and 5lbs at 90° C.

The duplex LC combines the best of both, its high performance proven technology and its embodiment of miniature size RJ45. LC is also widely supported by the members of the LC Alliance ^TM that provides a variety of transceivers, connectors, cable assemblies and companion hardware. Moreover, there is growing number of companies that manufacture switches, routers and media converters that have integrated LC interfaces in their products.

To date, there are more than 50 Million LC connectors are in field use, making it the most widely used connector in the world.