Round-head pigtails are FC series fiber optic connectors

Round-head pigtails can be pre-terminated with FC series fiber optic connectors for high-precision splicing and network integration.

What Are Fiber Optic Pigtails?

A fiber optic pigtail is a short length of fiber cable with a factory-installed connector on one end and a bare or stripped fiber on the other, designed for fusion splicing to trunk cables or inside optical distribution frames (ODFs) (The Fiber Cable, TTI Fiber) . Pigtails simplify field deployment, reduce termination errors, and ensure consistent optical performance.

FC Series Connectors

The FC (Ferrule Connector) series is a fiber optic connector with a screw-thread locking mechanism, ideal for high-vibration environments (Radiall) . FC connectors use a 2.5 mm ceramic ferrule and provide high-precision alignment, which minimizes insertion loss and maintains strong optical performance. They are commonly used in single-mode fiber networks and can be tuned to optimize insertion loss by rotating the ferrule (Radiall) .

Round-Head Pigtails with FC Connectors

When a pigtail is described as "round-head," it typically refers to the shape of the connector housing, which is compatible with FC adapters and patch panels. These pigtails are available in single-mode (9/125 µm) and multimode (50/125 µm, OM1–OM5) variants and are pre-tested for insertion and return loss, ensuring high optical reliability (The Fiber Cable, TTI Fiber) . They are designed for fusion splicing, eliminating the need for field polishing and providing factory-grade connector quality.

Applications

• Splicing to trunk cables in ODFs or patch panels
• FTTH (Fiber to the Home) deployments
• High-precision or high-vibration environments where FC connectors excel
• Single-fiber (simplex) or multi-fiber bundles for high-density network setups

Key Advantages

• Pre-terminated connectors save installation time
• High optical performance with low insertion loss and high return loss
• Compatible with standard FC adapters and equipment
• Color-coded buffers for easy identification (yellow for single-mode, orange/aqua/lime green for multimode) In summary, round-head pigtails with FC connectors are a reliable solution for integrating fiber optic networks, providing precise alignment, ease of splicing, and robust performance in demanding environments (Radiall, The Fiber Cable, TTI Fiber) .