How expanded beam connectors work
In a standard fibre connector the two fibre end faces are pressed together, so a speck of dust or a slight offset blocks a large part of the light. An expanded beam connector puts a lens in front of each fibre. The lens widens the beam, sends it across a small air gap, and the opposite lens focuses it back into the fibre. The connector faces do not touch, and a particle that would block a fibre core covers only a small part of the expanded beam.
Because the optical surfaces are lenses rather than fibre end faces, they can be wiped clean in the field without special inspection tools. The result is a connection that keeps working with dirt, water, shock and repeated mating. The expanded beam connectors guide covers the principle in more detail.
Types offered
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Simple connectors | Low channel counts where a reliable field connection is the priority |
| Multi-channel connectors | More channels in one connector for larger systems |
| Hermaphroditic connectors | Genderless, so any end mates with any other |
| Mini connectors | Drones and small devices |
Stated features
- Lens design keeps the light path intact through dust, mud and rain.
- Withstands many connection cycles.
- Simple field cleaning.
- Lightweight cable with a polyurethane jacket that resists wear.
- Suited to military, aerospace, marine and outdoor use.
What to specify in your quote
- Connector type and channel count.
- Fibre type: single-mode or multimode.
- Whether you need loose connectors or complete cable assemblies, and the cable length.
- Mounting for receptacles (panel, bulkhead, in-line).
- The insertion loss figure to use in your link design. Lens connectors behave differently from physical contact connectors, so include the value in your fibre loss budget.
Send your requirement through the request a quote form.
Questions buyers ask
Where are expanded beam connectors used?
In military field systems, outdoor broadcast, ships and other places where connectors are mated in dirt, water and rough handling.
Why choose expanded beam over a standard connector?
Expanded beam connectors are much less affected by dust and small misalignments, and they are easy to clean in the field. Standard connectors give lower loss in clean, protected conditions.
What does hermaphroditic mean?
A hermaphroditic connector is genderless. Any connector of the type mates with any other, so cables can be joined end to end without matching plug and socket.
Can I get complete cable assemblies?
Yes. Radix supplies expanded beam connectors as part of tactical cable assemblies, made to the length and channel count you need.