SC Singlemode Plug for Field Termination or Patch Cord Assembly
The TE Connectivity 5504646-7 is a simplex SC plug built for singlemode fiber applications. It uses a ceramic ferrule and accepts fiber with a 125 µm cladding diameter, terminated into a 3.0 mm cable jacket. The typical insertion loss runs -0.2 dB, and the return loss (reflection) is rated at -55 dB — numbers that keep the link budget clean in singlemode runs where back-reflection into a laser source matters. The housing is a snap-in, free-hanging (in-line) design, with a blue boot and a dust cap and strain relief included in the box.
Optical Specs That Drive the Link Budget
The -0.2 dB typical attenuation is standard for a factory-polished SC connector — it's the per-mating-point loss you budget for in the total link. The -55 dB reflection figure is the spec that separates a singlemode connector from a multimode one; singlemode systems, especially at 1310 nm or 1550 nm, are sensitive to reflected light that can destabilise the laser source. A -55 dB return loss means the polished end-face geometry is controlled enough for most premises and central-office singlemode links.
The connector is designed for a 3.0 mm cable diameter. The 125 µm cladding diameter is standard for singlemode fiber.