What is the difference between simplex and duplex fiber optic cables?Updated 6 months ago

To make some sense of the various types of connectors out there, first, we should talk about assembly styles. Connectors come in two primary assembly styles: simplex and duplex. 

Simplex = single connector on each end of the cable. 

Duplex = two connectors on the end of each cable.   

A simplex connector is simply a single connector terminated onto a single fiber. A duplex connector is essentially two single connectors side by side, often in a plastic assembly. Duplex style fiber optic cord is associated with the term “zip cord” and that literally means two fiber patch cords that are joined together at the jacket and can be separated.  

What defines whether you use a simplex or duplex style connector is your end point equipment and how you are hooking things up. It should be noted that simplex and duplex have nothing to do with single-mode or multi-mode or the actual connector type like LC or SC. 

The key takeaway is that no matter what assembly we are talking about, the individual connector terminates a single strand of fiber.

To learn more, check out our Cable Academy blog Fiber Patch Connectors, LC and SC and ST and More