Common Splitter Losses Table

Typical insertion losses for optical splitters range from 3.5 dB for 1×2 splitters to over 22 dB for 1×64 splitters, depending on splitter type and configuration.

Typical Insertion Loss Values

The following table summarizes common insertion losses for PLC and FBT splitters under standard conditions (1310 nm wavelength, SC/APC connectors). Values include splitting loss and typical excess loss:

Notes:

• Theoretical loss is calculated as 10 × log₁₀(N), where N is the number of output ports.
• Typical loss includes manufacturing tolerances and minor excess loss.
• Max loss accounts for worst-case scenarios, including connector and adapter losses, and is used for conservative power budgeting .

Key Considerations

• PLC vs FBT Splitters: PLC splitters provide more uniform loss across all ports (±0.8 dB), while FBT splitters may have higher variation (±1.5 dB) and are more sensitive to wavelength and temperature .
• Temperature Effects: PLC splitters operate reliably from -40°C to +85°C, with minor loss variation (~0.3 dB). FBT splitters are stable from -5°C to +75°C but can experience up to 1.5 dB additional loss at high temperatures .
• Excess Loss: Manufacturing imperfections contribute 0.5–3 dB of excess loss depending on splitter type and quality .
• Power Budgeting: When designing PON networks, always use the typical or max loss values to ensure the OLT can communicate reliably with all ONTs, accounting for fiber length, connectors, and environmental factors . This table and considerations provide a practical reference for network engineers and designers to estimate optical power distribution and plan FTTH or PON deployments effectively.