Optical Connectors

It used to be that you had to be an engineer to terminate optical fibers. Now, it's almost easy enough for kids to do. Thanks for this ease goes to optical connectors, which are used as terminating fixtures for non-fixed joints. As such, they are designed to be plugged in and disconnected several times. Optical connectors are available in a wide variety of styles and types. Choosing which one to use is usually decided by the type of connector already installed in the equipment to be connected. Nevertheless, adapters are generally available in either sleeve connectors or patch cords to allow coupling of different types of connectors. Connectors of the same style but from different manufacturers should be compatible with one another. For example, AT&T's ST connector can be used interchangeably with AMP's ST connector. Some popular connectors for various applications are listed below.

Popular Connector Styles
DATA Communications Applications
(Mostly Multi-mode)
ST - most commonly used
SMA - Decreasing in popularity
SC - specified in many new systems
FDDI - duplex
ESCON - duplex
Telecommunications Applications
(mostly single-mode)
FC/PC - widely used
ST - single-mode version
SC - growing in popularity
D4 - decreasing in use
Biconic - decreasing in use



Source:www.elec-toolbox.com/communications/classifications/fiber/fiber.htm