MTP and MPO fiber optic connectors are very similar and compatible with each other to a certain extent. So what is the difference between them?
What is an MPO Connector?
MPO is Multi-fiber Pull-off, and the MPO connector is the first generation of multi-core fiber optic connector designed by NTT Corporation of Japan. Its main industrial standard is IEC-61754-7, the current national standard is YD/T1272.5-2009, and the American standard is EIA/TIA-604-5.
What is an MTP connector?
MTP is the abbreviation of Multi-fiber Termination Push-on. MTP is a brand of MPO optical fiber connector produced and registered by US Conec Company in the United States. The multi-core connector parts and ferrules produced by it are specially called MTP connectors. Compared with ordinary MPO connectors, MTP fiber optic connectors have been enhanced in optical and mechanical properties. MTP connectors are fully compliant with all professional standards for MPO connectors, including EIA/TIA-604-5 FOCIS 5 and IEC-61754-7.
What are the differences between MPO and MTP connectors?
- Ferrule
The MTP connector allows the MT ferrule to float within the housing frame, however, the MPO fiber optic connector does not have a floating ferrule. The floating ferrule of the MTP fiber optic connector can improve the transmission performance during mechanical docking. It allows the two connectors to maintain good physical contact with the mating ferrule under the influence of external force. - Spring Design
The MPO spring is elastic, and the spring section is not flat. Insufficient ribbon clearance provided by MPO round springs reduces mechanical performance and reliability. Compared with the MPO connector, the spring design of the MTP connector can maximize the space for the ribbon fiber, thereby reducing the damage to the fiber caused by the spring movement during insertion. - Pin Clamp
MTP connectors are usually equipped with metal pin clamps, which can better fasten the pins to minimize accidental breakage during use, while MPO connectors are equipped with plastic pin clamps, which may cause the pins to break when used.
- Guide Pin
The elliptical guide pin (PIN) of the MTP fiber optic connector is made of stainless steel. The elliptical guide pin can improve the accuracy of the docking and reduce the wear on the guide hole, so that the MTP fiber optic connector can maintain high-performance transmission for a longer period of time. MPO fiber connectors use cylindrical guide pins, which may generate debris during use.
- Removable Housing
MTP connectors feature a removable housing that allows the user to rework and polish MT ferrules for easy performance testing. Negative and positive polarity can be flexibly changed even on-site after assembly, and the ferrule can pass interference detection after assembly.
- Durability Performance
After 600 times of plugging and unplugging the MTP connector, the end face near the guide hole is basically intact; after 500 times of plugging and unplugging the MPO connector, the end face near the guide hole is obviously damaged.
MPO vs MTP connector: How to choose?
Both MTP and MPO fiber optic connectors conform to the international standard “IEC-61754-7” and the American standard “TIA-604-5 (FOCIS5)”, and the interchangeability is considered in the structural design. Even if the appearance is different, the MTP and MPO connectors can be interconnected in use. MPO connectors are a type of interface that is available from many different suppliers, with MTP connectors being one of the brands that offer higher performance. However, US Connector only provides connector kits and MT ferrules, they do not assemble the parts into MTP or MPO cables, which are required products in the network. Bonelinks uses our own brand MPO connector or MTP connector to produce patch cords, please contact us if necessary.
