Which performance requirement is not shared by connectors and splices?

• A. Low loss
• B. Low back reflection
• C. Durability of repeated mating
• D. Temperature rating

Answer: (C)

Connectors and splices share several performance goals because both must carry light efficiently through a joint. The one requirement that isn’t applicable to a splice is durability of repeated mating. Splices are permanent joints—the fibers are fused or mechanically joined to stay fixed, so there’s no mating cycle to withstand. Connectors, however, are designed to be connected and disconnected many times, so they must tolerate repeated mating without degrading performance.

Low loss is important for both, since any connection should not introduce significant signal loss. Back reflection is also a concern for both types, because reflections at a joint can send light back toward the source and disturb the signal; fusion splices tend to produce very low reflections, while connectors are engineered with polished end-faces and proper interface design to minimize reflections. Temperature rating matters for both as well, ensuring performance remains reliable across operating environments.

So the key distinction is that repeated mating durability is a requirement for connectors, not for splices.