FC Attenuator
FC Attenuator is part of the fiber optic attenuator range built by Ever Expresslink Limited in Ningbo, China. It is built on the FC (Ferrule Connector) interface.
Controlled loss, for when a receiver is being overdriven
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Product Overview
FC Attenuator is part of the fiber optic attenuator range built by Ever Expresslink Limited in Ningbo, China. It is built on the FC (Ferrule Connector) interface.
We supply FC APC single mode fiber optic attenuator and FC UPC single mode fiber optic attenuator, both of them are with ceramic sleeves and accurate FC connection interface. The attenuation range is from 1dB to 30dB available.
The FC fiber attenuator features high power endurance and low back reflection. They are used to reduce the optical power in the fiber optic links. Applications of the FC fiber optic attenuators include CATV networks, data communication and telecommunication networks. Our FC fiber optic attenuators are good price and prompt delivery.
FC uses a 2.5 mm zirconia ceramic ferrule inside a threaded metal coupling nut, so the mated pair is locked mechanically rather than held by a spring latch. The screw coupling keeps end-face contact stable when the rack is vibrating or when technicians work on neighboring ports, which is why FC stayed the default on test sets, monitoring gear and older carrier equipment.
Key Benefits
- Supplied as FC Attenuator, so the part you receive matches the designation you ordered against
- Known, stable loss instead of improvised fiber coils
- Fixed values for production use and tunable versions for the bench
- Male-to-female plug styles that drop straight into an existing port
- Available across the main connector types and both polish styles
Problems It Solves
- Receiver saturation on short links built with high-power transmitters
- Bit errors that look like contamination but are actually overload
- Test benches that need a repeatable, known loss rather than a coil of fiber
- Commissioning delays while power levels are brought into range
Application Scenarios
- Carrier transmission equipment
- Correcting an over-powered PON path at the splitter output
- Bringing a short DWDM or long-reach link into receiver range
- Balancing levels across a CATV optical distribution network
- Characterising receiver sensitivity on a test bench
Who It Is For
- Test laboratories characterizing receivers
- CATV and RF-over-glass operators balancing distribution levels
- Maintenance teams diagnosing overload symptoms
- Commissioning engineers bringing links into their power window
Technical Features
- FC (Ferrule Connector) interface
- FC needs the alignment key to seat in the adapter slot before the nut is tightened. Cross-threading a keyed FC is the single most common cause of high loss on an FC link.
- Fixed attenuation values across the common dB steps
- Tunable versions with a continuously adjustable range
- MEMS variable versions for programmable bench work
- Male-to-female plug style for direct insertion into a port
Materials
- Doped fiber or coated-ferrule attenuating element
- Zirconia ceramic ferrule
- Metal or thermoplastic housing
- Precision adjustment mechanism on tunable versions
Specifications
| Product Designation | FC attenuator |
|---|---|
| Product Family | Fiber Optic Attenuator |
| Connector Interface | FC (Ferrule Connector) |
| Manufactured In | Ningbo, China |
| Warranty | One year against defects in materials and workmanship |
Values shown are those carried by the product designation. Dimensional and optical values for a specific order are confirmed on the quotation.
Manufacturing Process
- Attenuating element preparation to the target value
- Connector assembly and polish
- Attenuation calibration against a reference
- Return loss verification
- Marking, capping and packing
Quality Control
- Attenuation value verified per unit against a calibrated reference
- Return loss measured on every unit
- Wavelength response checked on sample units
- Temperature stability sampled per production lot
- Marking accuracy checked against the measured value
Customization Options
- Attenuation value to your specification
- Fixed, tunable or MEMS variable format
- Connector type and polish
- Low back-reflection versions
- Matched sets for multi-channel balancing
Compared With Other Options
| SC | SC seats faster with a push-pull motion; FC holds up better where the cabinet vibrates or ports get bumped |
|---|---|
| ST | ST twists on with a bayonet in a quarter turn; FC's threaded nut takes longer but resists loosening |
Handling FC Attenuator
Before You Order
- Measure the actual received power before choosing a value
- Choose the value that lands mid-window, not at the edge of the receiver range
- Install on the receive side rather than the transmit side
In Service
- Use APC versions on paths where return loss is critical
- Re-measure after installation to confirm the link is inside its window
- Record the installed value in the link documentation
Questions About FC Attenuator
What do you need from us to quote FC Attenuator?
The quantity, the destination and anything that has to match on your side: connector and polish at each end, fiber mode and core size, and length where the item is an assembly. If you are matching a part you already buy, send the sample and we will quote against it.
Can FC Attenuator be supplied with a different connector interface?
Yes. FC (Ferrule Connector) is what this designation carries, and the same family is stocked across the other mainstream connector standards. Tell us the port you have to mate with and we will confirm the equivalent part.
Where should the attenuator go, transmit or receive side?
The receive side. Attenuating at the transmitter reduces the margin available for the span itself, whereas attenuating at the receiver directly addresses the overload.
What is the difference between fixed and tunable attenuators?
Fixed units hold one calibrated value and are what you install in production. Tunable units let you sweep a range, which is what a test bench or a commissioning engineer wants while finding the right value.
Do you supply APC attenuators?
Yes. Use APC on PON, CATV and RF-over-glass paths where back reflection has to stay low. The polish is specified per order.
More Fiber Optic Attenuator
LC Attenuator
We supply single mode LC fiber optic attenuators including the bulkhead LC attenuator and female to male LC fiber attenuator.
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Attenuator
Sometimes in the fiber optic network, people may need to reduce or balance the power of the light transmitted from one device to another device, fiber optic.
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SC Attenuator
We supply female to male SC fiber optic attenuator and bulkhead SC fiber optic attenuator.
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ST Attenuator
We supply both UPC ST fiber optic attenuator and APC ST fiber optic attenuator for single mode applications; they are with 1240nm to 1620nm compatible working.
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Request Pricing For FC Attenuator
Tell us the quantity and destination. If you are matching a part you already buy, send the sample and we will quote against it.