The two most common fiber optic cable connectors are SC connector and LC Connector. But the usage scenarios of SC LC type connectors are different. Because their structures and sizes are different, their durability is different. If you want to measure which one has better durability, you need to comprehensively evaluate from multiple dimensions, such as mechanical durability, structural differences, usage scenarios, etc.
Yingda has combined years of production and field use data to summarize their general situation as follows.
Comparison of core durability indicators
| Parameters | SC connector | LC connector |
| Plug-in life | ≥500 times (industrial grade can reach 1000 times) | Standard 500 times (some optimized designs can reach higher) |
| Loss fluctuation after plug-in | ≤0.3dB (maximum value) | ≤0.25dB (typical value) |
| Pull-out force | Smaller, easier to plug and unplug | Large, need to use a little force to unlock |
Structural design differences
LC connectors use ceramic ferrules (1.25mm diameter) and RJ latch design, and the anti-locking structure enhances the stability of anti-extraction; the compact shell (half the size of SC) reduces the risk of external impact and is less likely to be damaged by extrusion in high-density scenarios.
SC connectors are made of engineering plastics, the shell is light and resistant to falling, and the push-pull direct plug structure reduces the mechanical failure rate; but it is easy to loosen due to the non-locking design when plugged and unplugged frequently.
Scenario adaptability
LC is more suitable for high-density data centers (port density) and telecommunications rooms (frequent maintenance). Its small size and anti-interference design can reduce the probability of accidental collision damage.
SC is more suitable for industrial vibration environments (such as factory wiring) and outdoor facilities. The engineering plastic shell has better temperature resistance and corrosion resistance.
Conclusion
Based on the comparison of the above SC LC connectors in several aspects, we found that LC has a better plug-in life because the ceramic ferrule of the LC connector is more wear-resistant and has smaller loss fluctuations. At the same time, its buckle lock prevents loosening and has better reliability when the ports are densely packed, so it is more suitable for high-frequency plug-in and plug-out in daily operation and maintenance of data centers. The SC optical connector shell has strong impact resistance and is suitable for harsh environments such as industrial sites with large vibrations or temperature differences.
