A fiberoptic Connectors and other hardware information buyers guide Connectors Along the the path from transmitter to receiver, there will be interconnections. Each interconnection will contribute some loss. The role of the connector or splice is to provide a mechanical coupling mechanism that minimizes loss. The Key to Low Loss Interconnection is a critical part of a fiber optic link. The job of a connector or splice is to provide low-loss coupling of light through a juncture.
Low loss is the result of precise alignment of the two fibers being joined.
Any misalignment of the two fiber cores increases the loss. Tolerances in the connector. As with any device, perfection is in the control of tolerances. A fiber optic connector has tolerances associated with it that tend to allow some small amount of misalignment. Tolerances in the fiber.