{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"iec-fibre-optic-connector","name":"Fibre-optic connector","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"X","aliases":["optical connector","fibre connector pair","optical plug and socket"],"category":"connections-wiring","drawingTypes":["Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC"],"summary":"A demountable joint between optical fibres, drawn as a connector on a fibre link with an optical path mark.","description":["The fibre-optic connector shows a point where two fibres are joined by a demountable connector, such as at a patch panel or on a relay communications port. Protection signalling and process bus networks use many of them, and each one adds insertion loss to the link budget.","The symbol does not state the connector type, polish or whether it is single mode or multimode. Mismatched connectors or polish types cause high loss or reflections. Fusion splices are a different item and should not be drawn as connectors, since they cannot be disconnected."],"readingNotes":["Count connectors on the link for the loss budget.","Check connector type against the device port."],"drawingChecklist":["State connector type and polish.","Distinguish connectors from fusion splices.","Record connector positions in the fibre schedule."],"distinction":"A fibre-optic connector is demountable; a fusion splice is a permanent joint.","facts":[{"label":"Graphic cue","value":"Connector halves on a line with an optical path mark"},{"label":"Link budget","value":"Each mated pair adds insertion loss"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-connectors","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented preview of plug and jack connector forms."},{"sourceId":"autodesk-index","relevance":"Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families."}],"related":["optical-fibre-cable","plug-and-socket-connector-pair","iec-coaxial-plug-and-socket"],"artwork":"s28-iec-fibre-optic-connector","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Optical fibre connector","reference":"Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Fibre-optic connector mean?","introduction":"The fibre-optic connector shows a point where two fibres are joined by a demountable connector, such as at a patch panel or on a relay communications port. Protection signalling and process bus networks use many of them, and each one adds insertion loss to the link budget.","example":"The symbol does not state the connector type, polish or whether it is single mode or multimode. Mismatched connectors or polish types cause high loss or reflections. Fusion splices are a different item and should not be drawn as connectors, since they cannot be disconnected.","drawings":"Count connectors on the link for the loss budget. Check connector type against the device port. A fibre-optic connector is demountable; a fusion splice is a permanent joint.","terms":[{"name":"Coil","meaning":"A wound conductor that can produce a magnetic field when energised."},{"name":"Terminal","meaning":"An identified point where a conductor connects."},{"name":"Signal","meaning":"Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"AutoCAD Electrical: Connectors","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7175D293-9F4C-485C-8E2D-DE684820D53B.htm"},{"label":"IEC-60617 symbol preview directory","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm"}],"detail":"A demountable joint between optical fibres, drawn as a connector on a fibre link with an optical path mark. A fibre-optic connector is demountable; a fusion splice is a permanent joint.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-fibre-optic-connector","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/iec-fibre-optic-connector.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"pub-symbol-connectors","title":"AutoCAD Electrical: Connectors","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7175D293-9F4C-485C-8E2D-DE684820D53B.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public vendor catalogue naming and functional variants. Vendor block names are not IEC identifiers. Linked for reference; no graphics or CAD files are redistributed.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented preview of plug and jack connector forms."},{"id":"autodesk-index","title":"IEC-60617 symbol preview directory","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public reference directory of named symbol categories. Vendor graphics and CAD library files are not redistributed here.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families."}]}