Can two LC connectors that are stuck together be separated and plugged in individually?
Can be separated for individual use.
In fiber optic engineering, these “two LC connectors snapped together” are commonly known as Duplex LC Connectors. Separating them into two independent Simplex LC plugs is a very common operation in field testing for optical communications and fiber optic sensing.
The specific engineering principles and operational points are as follows:
1. Physical Structure and Design Purpose of Duplex LC
- Composition: A Duplex LC is essentially two standard Simplex LC connectors (each containing a \phi 1.25\ \text{mm} ceramic ferrule) assembled and secured together by an external plastic clip (Duplex Clip).
- Design Intent: In duplex optical communication transceivers (such as Tx/Rx ports of SFP, SFP+), the standard port center spacing is 6.25\ \text{mm}. The clip’s function is to maintain the fixed spacing between the two connector ferrules and provide “keying” (anti-misinsertion), ensuring simultaneous symmetrical insertion/removal and fixed polarity.
2. How to Separate and Use Individually
- Removable Clip: Most Duplex LC connector clips employ a snap-fit mechanical locking structure. By gently prying open the locking slots on the top and bottom of the clip with a fingernail or a small flat insulated tool, the clip can be completely removed, allowing the two LC connectors to decouple into two independent simplex patch cords.
- Complete Independent Functionality: Each Simplex LC connector retains its complete ferrule, latch, and strain relief boot. After separation, each LC connector is mechanically identical to a native simplex patch cord in terms of locking force, optical insertion loss (Insertion Loss), and return loss (Return Loss). They can be individually plugged into different fiber optic adapters (couplers) or instrument ports (e.g., individual channels of a multi-channel fiber optic sensing interrogator).
3. Operational Precautions
- Polarity and Channel Identification:
Before disassembling, it is recommended to confirm the identification sleeves on both ends of the patch cord (usually marked A/B, 1/2, or with red and black colors). After separation, avoid confusion of fiber channel numbers due to the symmetrical physical appearance. - End-Face Cleaning and Protection:
During the process of prying apart or removing the clip, hands can easily touch the connector end face. Before plugging into an adapter after separation, it is recommended to use a fiber optic connector cleaner pen or lint-free wipes to clean the ceramic ferrule end face, preventing dust or fingerprints from causing additional insertion loss. - Fiber Bend Radius:
The zipcord of a duplex patch cord experiences tensile stress at the point where the two fibers separate. When manually pulling the two fibers apart, avoid excessive force that could expose the fiber at the separation point or result in a bend radius smaller than the fiber’s minimum allowed bend radius (e.g., for standard single-mode fiber R \ge 30\ \text{mm}, for bend-insensitive fibers like G.657 series R \ge 7.5\text{–}10\ \text{mm}). (Note: Original text did not specify company name in this section, so no translation is needed for Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. or OFSCN®).
Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (OFSCN®) also offers custom multi-channel patch cords, including various single-mode and multi-mode patch cords with LC/PC and LC/APC connectors:
- Learn product details: OFSCN® Standard Fiber Patch Cord
