The Details Are in the Colors

摘要

SOMETIMES THE SIMPLE THINGS GET IGNORED, OR LOST, OR FORGOTTEN. With all the technical questions we get at the Fiber Optics Association, we are often reminded that these details are sometimes very important and are worthy of bringing to everyone's attention again. One example of this is the fiber optic connector. Almost everyone is aware of the four most common connectors-the standard connector (SC), lucent connector (LC), straight tip (ST) and multifiber push-on (MPO)-and the different ways they can be terminated. Many know the SC and ST share a common ferrule design, which is made from ceramic and is 2.5 mm in diameter. LCs also have ceramic ferules, but are only 1.25 mm in diameter. MPOs are the multifiber connectors-plastic plugs with 12,16, 24 or 32 fibers. Beyond this, the devil is in the details. We often get questions on why some connectors are beige, black, aqua, lime green, blue or green. Many times, I've been asked by users who figured the colors were just for identification if the connections between different colors are bad.