This FC connector assembled to HCS / PCF cable is a ruggedized fiber optic connection solution engineered for reliable data transmission in demanding indoor environments. Built around hard clad silica / polymer clad fiber (HCS / PCF) technology, it offers a durable, flexible alternative to traditional glass multimode patch cords, particularly where mechanical robustness, easy handling, and stable performance are critical. With a typical attenuation of ≤ 8 dB/km at 850 nm and low insertion loss of ≤ 0.25 dB (fiber dependent), this assembly is optimized for short to medium distance data links commonly found in industrial automation, vehicle systems, and medical equipment.

On both ends, the cable is terminated with FC simplex connectors in accordance with IEC 61754-13, DIN EN 61754-13, and TIA 604-4-B. The 2.5 mm metal ferrules are made from Arcap AP1D and are axially spring-loaded, ensuring precise fiber alignment and stable optical performance even under repeated mating. The FC connectors feature a metal housing with a threaded coupling nut and anti-rotation protection, providing secure, vibration-resistant connections that are particularly advantageous in control cabinets, test setups, and other environments where connectors are frequently handled or exposed to mechanical stress. A wide key (2.09–2.14 mm) is supplied as standard, with narrow key versions available on request for systems that require specific keying.

The cable itself is based on polymer clad fiber with a 200/230 µm core/cladding geometry, arranged as two PCF elements in a compact 2.2 × 4.5 mm duplex structure. This design combines the handling benefits of larger-core fibers with the optical characteristics needed for reliable data transmission using LED or laser sources. Typical attenuation is specified as ≤ 10 dB/km at 650 nm (laser) and ≤ 8 dB/km at 850 nm (LED), making the assembly suitable for a wide range of short-reach links such as fieldbus connections, sensor / actuator networks, and point-to-point data connections in buildings and machines.

To support deployment in harsh industrial and technical environments, the cable jacket is halogen-free and flame-retardant, meeting common safety expectations for installation in machinery, transport systems, and medical facilities. The orange outer jacket, standard for multimode optical cabling, provides clear visual identification in mixed-media cable routes and distribution racks. Inside the jacket, non-metallic aramid strength members provide strain relief of ≥ 150 N at the connector and a cable tensile strength of up to 300 N short-term, significantly improving resistance to pulling, bending, and handling during installation and maintenance.

With an operating temperature range from −20 to +70 °C (limited by the cable), this FC–FC HCS / PCF assembly is well suited for indoor applications where temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress, and tight routing spaces are expected. Typical use cases include industrial automation networks, automotive and transport technology, medical diagnostic and treatment equipment, and laboratory instrumentation where robust, low-maintenance fiber optic links are required. The low insertion loss, repeatable performance over at least 500 mating cycles, and standards-compliant FC interfaces make it easy to integrate into existing infrastructures that already use FC connectors for reliable, screw-coupled connections.

Each assembly is factory-terminated and tested, with connector ferrule bores matched to the specific HCS / PCF fiber used to ensure optimal centering and minimal optical loss. Cable length is configurable on request, and each end is equipped with two FC simplex connectors (one per fiber), enabling straightforward duplex data links or separate transmit/receive paths. By combining mechanically robust FC hardware with flexible, halogen-free HCS / PCF cabling, this product delivers a dependable, easy-to-install solution for environments where conventional glass multimode cords may be too fragile or difficult to handle, while still providing the optical performance needed for modern industrial and medical communication systems.