Fibre Optic Connectors

A fibre optic connector is a mechanical device used to terminate fibre optic cable, enabling quick connection and disconnection wherever a permanent splice is not required. Connectors work by aligning the polished fibre end faces within a ferrule, allowing light to pass from one fibre to another with minimal signal loss. Most fibre optic connectors are spring-loaded, pressing the mated ferrule end faces firmly together to eliminate any air gap and keep insertion loss as low as possible.

RS Hong Kong offers fibre optic connectors across FC, LC, SC, and ST connector types. We also provide single-mode and multimode fibre connectors from trusted brands, including RS PRO and Molex.

Types of Fibre Optic Connectors

At RS Hong Kong, you’ll find a range of fibre optic connectors for FC, LC, SC and ST applications:

FC Connectors

The FC, or ferrule connector, uses a screw-threaded coupling that locks firmly in place, making it the preferred choice where vibration or mechanical stress could compromise a push-pull connection. Also known as a fibre channel connector, an FC connector is commonly found in test and measurement equipment, single-mode fibre connector applications in telecommunications laboratories, and rugged datacom environments where connection stability takes priority over installation speed.

SC Connectors

The SC, or Standard Connector, uses a push-pull latch mechanism with a 2.5mm ferrule, offering straightforward connection and disconnection without twisting or screwing. SC connectors are widely used in Gigabit Ethernet networks, campus backbones, and telecom distribution panels, supporting both single-mode and multimode fibre connector applications. Their low insertion loss and reliable latching mechanism have made them a standard choice in optical network deployments since the 1990s.

LC Connectors

The LC, or local connector, is a compact, high-density alternative to the SC, using a 1.25mm ferrule that is half the size of the SC's 2.5mm format. This smaller footprint makes the LC connector the dominant choice in modern data centre switching equipment, SFP transceivers, and any installation. LC connectors are available in both single-mode and multimode fibre connector variants, and RS Hong Kong stocks pre-polished, field-installable LC options with insertion loss as low as 0.4 dB.

ST Connectors

The ST, or straight tip connector, uses a bayonet twist-lock mechanism with a 2.5mm ferrule, securing the connection with a quarter-turn rather than a push-pull or screw action. ST connectors are a traditional multimode fibre connector format, commonly found in legacy campus networks, educational institutions, and building LAN infrastructure installed before LC and SC became the default choice.

MPO Connectors

MPO, or multi-fibre push-on connectors, house multiple fibres in a single rectangular ferrule, supporting ribbon-style cables of 12, 24, or more fibres per connection. They are the standard choice for high-density data centre cable trunking, parallel optic transceivers, and high-speed links such as 40G and 100G Ethernet.

Common Applications of Fibre Optic Connectors

Fibre optic connectors are used wherever optical cable needs to be terminated, patched, or tested. The connector type selected depends on the environment, port density, and whether the network is new or existing.

Data Centres and Enterprise Networking

LC connectors are the standard fibre optic connector format in modern data centre environments, where SFP and SFP+ transceivers in switches and servers use LC duplex interfaces as the default. Their compact 1.25mm ferrule allows high port density across patch panels and rack-mounted switching equipment. SC connectors remain in use in older enterprise backbone cabling and horizontal distribution runs within campus networks.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

SC and FC connectors are common in carrier-grade fibre distribution, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) termination points, and backbone cabling infrastructure. SC connectors are widely used in optical distribution frames and street cabinet patch panels, while the FC optical connector remains a preferred interface in telecom testing equipment and laboratory environments where a secure, low-reflection connection is critical.

Industrial Automation and Control Systems

FC and ST connectors are well-suited to factory-floor networks and industrial control systems, where vibration, temperature variation, and physical stress pose challenges for push-pull connections. The screw-lock mechanism of the FC fibre connector ensures the ferrule remains firmly mated under continuous mechanical load, making it a reliable choice in manufacturing automation, process control, and building management environments.

Test, Measurement and Instrumentation

FC connectors are the predominant interface on optical test instruments, including optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) and optical power meters used for network commissioning and fault finding. The threaded coupling prevents any movement during measurement, which is critical for repeatable, low-insertion-loss readings. SC and LC adapters are also commonly provided with test equipment to support multi-format fibre connector testing across different network types.

Buy Fibre Optic Connectors from RS Hong Kong

RS Hong Kong is a trusted fibre optic connector supplier, offering a broad selection of FC, LC, SC, and ST connector types from reliable brands including RS PRO, Phoenix Contact, and Molex. Whether you need a single-mode fibre connector for a telecom installation or a multimode fibre connector for a campus network, browse the full range online and find products at reasonable prices.

Buy complementary products, including fibre optic adapters, fibre attenuators, fibre optic cables, and heavy-duty cable connectors, and consolidate them into a single transaction for convenient shopping. RS Hong Kong offers fast delivery across Hong Kong, and for more info on shipping options and costs, visit our Delivery page.