At CRAS, what fiber connector is found on the optical patch bays?

• A. SC
• B. ST
• C. LC
• D. FC

Answer: (B)

The connector type tested here is the ST connector, which stands for Straight Tip. It uses a bayonet-style locking mechanism, meaning you twist it to lock and unlock. That quick, secure latching is ideal for a busy optical patch bay in a studio environment, where cables are plugged and unplugged frequently and reliability matters.

ST connectors are robust and long-standing in many lab and studio setups, so patch cables and adapters are widely available and simply compatible with the patch bays. The other common types—SC (push-pull with a snap-in feel), FC (threaded, very secure but slower to connect), and LC (smaller form factor for high density)—do not fit the typical CRAS patch bay design as well: SC is less locking-tight than a bayonet, FC requires twisting a thread, and LC saves space but is not the standard in many older or mid-density patch bays. That combination makes the ST the best fit for CRAS optical patch bays.