Threaded FC/APC connectors are designed for high-vibration environments and minimal back reflections. The "APC" stands for "angled physical contact" because these connectors allow the surfaces of two connected fibers to be in direct contact with each other and because the fiber end is polished at an angle to prevent reflected light from traveling back up the fiber. These FC/APC connectors have an 8° pre-angled ceramic ferrule, which when properly polished, results in a typical return loss of 60 dB. Each connector package includes a fiber connector cap and plastic boot.

These connectors also feature a low 0.25 dB connector-to-connector typical loss. However, significant insertion loss can result when mating to different styles, and because of this, we recommend that FC/APC connectors be mated only with other FC/APC connectors. If your application requires that you switch connector types, we recommend using a hybrid patch cable.

As an alternative to buying and assembling separate optical fiber, connectors, and furcation tubing, Thorlabs also offers pre-built patch cables from stock using the connectors sold on this page. See the table to the right and the Patch Cables tab for a listing of patch cables available that incorporate connectors sold on this page.

As an alternative to buying and assembling separate optical fiber, connectors, and furcation tubing, Thorlabs offers pre-built patch cables from stock using the connectors sold on this page. Stocked patch cables are available with single mode or polarization-maintaining single mode optical fiber, as indicated by the table to the right. Additionally, Thorlabs offers Custom Patch Cables with same-day shipping, which can be constructed using the connectors sold on this page.