Common Optical Fibre Parts and Applications

Optical fiber is the most common transmission medium for network transmission. Without optical fiber transmission, there would be no high-speed network as we know it today. Whether optical fiber can be used normally often depends on optical fibre parts.

Fiber Optic Patch Cables

Fiber optic patch cables (also known as fiber optic connectors) refer to optical cables with connectors on both ends, having a thicker protective layer, generally used for connections between optical terminal equipment and terminal boxes.

Distinguished from pigtails, also called pig-tailed wires, which have a connector on one end while the other end is a bare fiber that is spliced with other optical cables. They are often found in fiber termination boxes, used to connect optical cables and fiber transceivers (couplers and patch cables are also used between them).

According to the structure of the connectors, they can be classified into various forms: FC patch cables, SC patch cables, ST patch cables, LC patch cables, MTRJ patch cables, MPO patch cables, MU patch cables, SMA patch cables, FDDI patch cables, E2000 patch cables, DIN4 patch cables, D4 patch cables, etc. The more common types can also be categorized as FC-FC, FC-SC, FC-LC, FC-ST, SC-SC, SC-ST, and so on.

Fiber Optic Coupler

The fiber optic coupler, also known as splitter, connector, adapter, or flange, is a fiber optic accessory used to achieve optical signal splitting/combining, or to extend the optical fiber link. It belongs to the field of passive optical components.

Fiber Optic Terminal Box

The fiber optic terminal box is an endpoint for an optical cable; one end is the optical cable, and the other end is the pigtail, which effectively splits an optical cable into single fibers. It is installed on the wall as a user optical cable terminal box. The function of this type of fiber optic accessory is to provide splicing of optical fiber to optical fiber, splicing of optical fiber to pigtail, and interconnection of optical connectors.

Fiber Optic Splice Closure

The fiber optic splice closure, also called the fiber optic joint box or barrel, is where the ends of optical cables are connected and then patched into an optical switch through fiber optic patch cables. It prevents material aging caused by natural elements such as heat, cold, light, oxygen, and microorganisms, and has excellent mechanical strength. The sturdy outer shell and main structural components of the fiber optic joint box can withstand the most severe environmental changes, while also providing flame retardant and waterproof capabilities to protect against vibrations, impacts, optical cable stretching, and twisting.

ODF Distribution Frame

The ODF distribution frame is an important optical fiber accessory in the optical transmission system. It is primarily used for the fiber splicing of optical cable terminals, installation of optical connectors, adjustment of optical routes, storage of surplus pigtails, and protection of optical cables. It plays a critical role in the safe operation and flexible use of optical fiber communication networks.