Optical sockets for the apartment

An optical outlet is a block device that serves to connect fiber optic cables. Another name for such an outlet is an adapter.

The use of such devices ensures the reliability of the detachable connection and, as a result, the high quality of the transmitted signal. Adapters are widely used in the installation of fiber optic networks. These devices are used in computer and sound networks to connect optical boxes.

It should be noted that due to the extremely small thickness of the optical fibers, their combination is a rather complicated technical problem. A shift of the fibers by only 1 micron can lead to a significant loss of signal power. Therefore, the stability of the equipment depends to a large extent on the quality of the connecting devices.

Classification

To date, manufacturers of equipment for fiber optic networks offer an extremely wide selection of such devices.

The main features by which the classification of these outlets can be performed are:

1. Destination. Distinguish between connecting and adapter adapters. Their main difference is the type of plug-in connectors. If it is necessary to connect devices of the same type, a connection adapter is used. Connectors of various types are connected using the adapter adapter. There are also optical sockets, the purpose of which is the temporary connection of bare fibers. Such devices are used mainly for testing various types of optical equipment. At the same time, to ensure a reliable connection of fiber optic lines, just insert them into the adapter and press the special latch.
2. The characteristics of the centralizer.
3. Type of connector. To date, the most widely used are SC, LC, ST, as well as FC adapters.
4. The number and location of the optical poles. Adapters with one connector included are called simplex; devices with two connectors are called duplex.
5. The maximum number of connections guaranteed by the manufacturer.

Adapter design

The adapter includes the following basic elements:

1. Product body. It is made of plastic or metal.
2. Centralizer (centering sleeve). This part of the structure is the main element of the adapter, it is designed to connect optical fibers. The centralizer is a metal or ceramic tube, the reliability of the connection of optical connectors depends on the quality of manufacture. The greatest reliability is possessed by products made of ceramics based on zirconium dioxide.
3. Fasteners.

Single-mode optical sockets in most cases are equipped with ceramic centralizers. Multimode - centralizers from bronze.

Most Common Optical Socket Standards

Ferrule connector

An optical outlet of this type is capable of providing maximum connection quality. This allows the use of FC adapters in the most important networks. Such outlets are of high quality material from which they are made. Thanks to special grooves and a spring-loaded connection mechanism, maximum reliability of the fixed connection is achieved. In addition, the movement of the contacts does not affect the quality of the connection.

Fixing the connectors is ensured by twisting. The design of this type of adapter includes a ceramic cylinder with guides, which help to achieve maximum accuracy in connecting connectors.

The disadvantage of this standard is the need for additional free space for screwing in and out of the connector. This quality does not allow the use of FC sockets with a tight arrangement of contacts.

 Subscriber connector

Such an optical outlet is in many respects similar to products of the previous type. The main external difference is the square shape of the plastic case of such an adapter.

A latch is used to secure the connectors. One of the advantages of SC adapters is their relatively low cost compared to products of the previous type. The quality of the transmitted signal may be affected by touching the connector.

Lucent Connector (LC)

This type of product resembles an SC device, but it is much smaller. This allows the use of such connectors in places with tight cable connections, for example, in server rooms or offices.

Adapter Labeling

Optical sockets are marked as follows: AA / BB / SS-DD.

AA - connector standard (two types of connector are indicated for adapters).

BB - type of polishing. This parameter must be taken into account when making fiber connections. For example, connectors with APC polishing type cannot be combined with devices having a different polishing type.

SS - type of fiber (single or multimode).

DD - type of connector.

To connect the fiber optic line to the adapter, a connector is used that terminates the optical cable, pigtail or patch cord.

• A pigtail is a fiber optic cable that has a connector termination on one side only.
• The patch cord is terminated on both sides. Moreover, the types of connectors on both sides can be different.

The type of connector is one of the determining factors when choosing an optical outlet.

Its tip is made of high-strength cermets. In the center of the tip there is a hole for attaching an optical fiber. When operating such devices, extreme care must be taken. Even invisible damage to the connector tip can lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of the transmitted signal.

One of the most important properties of any element of fiber optic networks is the attenuation introduced by it into the signal transmission. Continuous improvement of the design of the adapters is mainly aimed at reducing this parameter. Thanks to the use of zirconium ceramics, as well as the high quality of the detachable connection, it is possible to reduce the attenuation to 0.2 dB. For small networks, the use of optical outlets is not critical and has little effect on the quality of the transmitted signal. However, for networks that are characterized by large signal transmission distances, degradation of performance may not be acceptable.

Another important characteristic is the temperature range in which the adapter can operate. For modern devices, this indicator ranges from -40 to + 75С0.

To ensure the normal operation of optical outlets, particular attention should be paid to their timely maintenance. The ingress of dust and moisture into such devices can significantly weaken the power of the transmitted signal, lead to a loss in its quality, back reflections, etc. To prevent such consequences, the outlets must be regularly purged with compressed air.