FO
Fibre-optic link symbol
Symbol for an optical fibre link between devices, a line with a fibre mark, often with media converters at each end.
IEC
Symbols · MC
Media converter symbol
Network symbol for a media converter linking copper Ethernet to optical fibre, drawn as a box with electrical and optical ports.
In plain English
What does Media converter mean?
A media converter changes the physical medium of an Ethernet link from copper twisted pair to optical fibre, without routing or switching. Diagrams draw a box with a copper port on one side and a fibre port, often marked with a light arrow, on the other.
A simple example
On electrical and control drawings, media converters appear where a device with copper Ethernet must reach a remote location or cross an area with earth potential differences. Their power supply and mounting in the panel are shown on the schematic. The symbol does not show the fibre type or wavelength. The fibre port must match the cable.
What the drawings help you do
Identify which side is fibre. Check power supply. A network switch forwards traffic between many ports; a media converter only changes the medium on one link.
This particular reference
Network symbol for a media converter linking copper Ethernet to optical fibre, drawn as a box with electrical and optical ports. A network switch forwards traffic between many ports; a media converter only changes the medium on one link.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: Industrial Ethernet to fibre media converters · Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Propagation and signal-flow qualifiers
Schematic · MC
What it represents
A media converter changes the physical medium of an Ethernet link from copper twisted pair to optical fibre, without routing or switching. Diagrams draw a box with a copper port on one side and a fibre port, often marked with a light arrow, on the other.
On electrical and control drawings, media converters appear where a device with copper Ethernet must reach a remote location or cross an area with earth potential differences. Their power supply and mounting in the panel are shown on the schematic. The symbol does not show the fibre type or wavelength. The fibre port must match the cable.
How to read it
- Identify which side is fibre.
- Check power supply.
Information to show or reference
- State fibre type and connector.
- Show power supply.
- Label link ends.
A distinction that matters
A network switch forwards traffic between many ports; a media converter only changes the medium on one link.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
Industrial Ethernet to fibre media converters
Public product family page describing copper Ethernet to fibre conversion.
Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Propagation and signal-flow qualifiers
Public IEC-oriented propagation and signal-flow qualifiers used on communication symbols.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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