Fibre Channel connectors are high-speed devices used in Fibre Channel systems. They are designed for telecommunications, video, networking, and storage area network (SAN) applications. Fibre Channel is a high-speed, serial-data transfer architecture that uses links of copper or optical cable to achieve speeds measured in the gigabit (GB) range. The most popular Fibre Channel standard is Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL), a network topology which can support full-duplex data transfer rates of 100 MBps. Specifications for Fibre Channel connectors include gender, voltage rating, current rating, number of contacts, and operating temperature. Male Fibre Channel connectors or plugs mate with female Fibre Channel connectors or jacks. Voltage rating is the maximum operating voltage. Current rating is the maximum, recommended, continuous flow of electrical current. If an approval organization defines a maximum voltage or maximum current that differs from the supplier’s maximums, check with the supplier for specific usage details. The number of contacts in a Fibre Channel connector is the number of number of conductive elements that mate with a corresponding element to provide an electrical path.

