Fiber to Ethernet Converters
What is a fiber to ethernet converter?
A fiber to Ethernet converter is a network connectivity device that uses a copper transceiver to translate a UTP/RJ45 Ethernet signal from a copper cable into light waves that a fiber optic transceiver can transmit. This allows copper-based Ethernet equipment to connect to fiber optic cabling.
Why would I need to convert copper Ethernet to fiber?
Copper Ethernet to fiber converters allow you to easily:
- Extend distance: Whereas standard UTP copper Ethernet is limited to 100 m (328 ft)1, converting to fiber optic cable lets you extend the connection over much longer distances. Perle fiber to Ethernet media converters can reach 160 km or (100 mi).
- Connect existing copper equipment to a fiber backbone: if your core backbone has changed to fiber but you have older equipment limited to copper ports, an ethernet to fiber converter spares you the time and expense of having to upgrade all of your devices.
- Protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI): In high EMI environments, such as industrial plants and MRI suites in hospitals, fiber is preferred given it is not susceptible2 to such interference. Copper Ethernet to fiber media converters let you connect the fiber into the existing equipment.
Perle Fiber to Ethernet Converter Categories
10/100/1000/2.5G/10G
- 10/100/1000/2500/10G to 1G/10G Fiber
- SFP / SFP+ connector options
- Operating temperatures from 0°C to +50°C
10/100/1000 Ethernet
- 10/100/1000 Copper to 100/1000 Fiber
- SFP, SC, ST, or LC connector options
- Operating temperatures from -40°C to +75°C
- Optional PoE up to 100 Watts
10/100 Ethernet
- Convert 10/100 Copper to 100Mbps Fiber
- SFP, SC, ST, or LC connector options
- Operating temperatures from -40°C to +75°C
- Optional PoE up to 30 Watts
10 Gigabit
- Convert 10G Copper to Fiber
- SFP+ or XFP connector options
- Operating temperatures from 0°C to +50°C
Gigabit Ethernet
- Convert 1G Copper to Fiber
- SFP, SC, ST, or LC connector options
- Operating temperatures from -40°C to +75°C
Fast Ethernet
- Convert 100Mbps Copper to Fiber
- SFP, SC, ST, or LC connector options
- Operating temperatures from -40°C to +75°C
Industrial
- Operating temps from -40°F to 167°F (-40°C to 75°C)
- IEC 61850-3, IEEE1613, and EN 61000-4-16 substation certified
- ATEX Class 1 Zone 2 and ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 Class 1 Division 2 certified
PoE
- 4 to 100 Watts of PoE power
- IEEE 802.3af, IEEE802.3at, IEEE802.3bt compliant
- Support for all PoE PDs: Class 1 to 8 & Type 1, 2, 3, 4
Managed Media Converters
- 10/100/1000/2500/10G Copper to Multimode or Single Mode fiber
- Convert Single Mode to Multimode (SM to MM)
- Extend Multimode an additional 2km
Key Product Takeaways
- Faster, more flexible connections. Bridge copper and fiber networks at speeds from 10/100 Mbps up to 10G with single fiber (BX) or dual fiber (SX, FX, LX, EX, ZX).
- Extended network reach. Transmit Ethernet signals over fiber beyond the standard 100 m (328 ft) copper limit up to 160 km (100 mi).
- Less downtime, fewer truck rolls. Achieve best-in-class reliability with MTBF rates between 100,000 and 700,000 hours.3
- Plug-and-play simplicity. Save time and money with easy-to-deploy unmanaged options.
- Continuous network monitoring. Stay on top of your connectivity with real-time interruption alerts.
- Industrial temperature grade. Operate in -40°C to 75°C (-40°F to 167°F)
- Fit-for-purpose design. Choose from more than 760 purpose-built models.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty. Run your Perle fiber to Ethernet Converters worry free.
Fiber to Ethernet Converter Specifications
| Family | Copper Interface | Fiber Interface | Temperature Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/100 Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps | 100 Mbps Fiber | -40°C to +75°C | SFP, SC, ST, LC; optional PoE up to 30W |
| Fast Ethernet | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | -40°C to +75°C | SFP, SC, ST, LC options |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | -40°C to +75°C | SFP, SC, ST, LC options |
| 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 100/1000 Fiber | -40°C to +75°C | Optional PoE up to 100W |
| 10 Gigabit | 10G Copper | 10G Fiber | 0°C to +50°C | SFP+ or XFP options |
| Multi-Rate (up to 10G) | 10/100/1000/2.5G/10G | 1G/10G Fiber | 0°C to +50°C | SFP/SFP+ connectivity |
Proactive Link Monitoring with Link Pass-Through
Reduce downtime and troubleshoot network issues faster with intelligent link monitoring. Perle's advanced Link Pass-Through technology includes an onboard processor that continuously monitors fiber connection status and sends real-time notifications when links are broken or disconnected.
Fiber to Ethernet Case Studies
Golden Gate Bridge
The standard-specified limit for Gigabit Ethernet over multimode is 550 m (1800 ft)4. What to do when you have a bridge with a span almost five times longer, and you also need to preserve bandwidth to accommodate video? The Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District found a unique way to cover the distance.
Dragon LNG
Dragon LNG needed to modernize its video surveillance without abandoning its analog camera investment. By installing Perle Fiber to Ethernet Converters, Dragon could connect the IP cameras’ copper ethernet interface into the existing single strand multimode fiber network. The result: a scalable hybrid system where analog and IP cameras run side by side.
What Our Customers Say
"The sonar manufacturer spent a lot of time and resources trying to rectify the [electrical interference] problem. As it turned out, for very little effort and money, we solved it with a couple of Perle [Fiber to Ethernet] Media Converters."
Ronan Murrin
Marine Engineer, Mullglen Limited
"We have used Perle before to provide Ethernet to Fiber connectivity. For visual monitoring to be effective, the transfer of frames needs to happen in real-time. The Jumbo Packets feature in the Perle Media Converters allows this to happen and we know it is reliable."
Kalle Marjanen
Chief Optical Engineer, Pixact
Lifetime Warranty
Every Perle fiber to ethernet converter is built to last. We offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty as a standard feature so you can enjoy worry-free operation and repair.
More About Our WarrantyPerle Fiber Media Converter Customers
Why Choose a Perle Fiber to Ethernet Converter?
Robust Media Converter
Perle only uses high-end components from leading chip manufacturers to ensure product reliability. Perle's advanced implementation of Link Pass-Through includes an onboard processor that continuously monitors the status of the links and sends a notification if the fiber connection is broken or disconnected.
Cisco Compatible Media Converter
Perle Media Converters are compatible with Cisco switches and routers. As a key component in ensuring the reliability and stability of your network, dependable Media Converters with seamless interoperability are essential.
Reliable Media Converter
Most Media Converter manufacturers do not publish (or make very difficult to find) their MTBF’s. Perle is proud to publish the high MTBF rates in the Specifications for each product. In addition, we provide the best-in-class Lifetime Warranty.
Secure Media Converter
Perle Managed Media Converters support all AAA security services (TACACS+, RADIUS, LDAP, Kerberos, NIS and RSA) used in corporate networks, as well as SSH/SSL, SNMPv3, Telnet, and HTTPS secure management sessions. And the PerleVIEW Central Management Platform simplifies the configuration, administration, monitoring and troubleshooting
Technical Support
We have sales and technical support staff around the globe to support you. If you need help choosing the best Media Converter for your application, we provide technical consultations by phone or email. And, even though Perle Fiber Converters are extremely easy to install and configure, post sales support is easy to contact.
Trust
Perle has been providing reliable device connectivity solutions since 1976. That’s over 40 years of experience that businesses around the globe have come to trust to deliver superior connectivity technology for mission critical applications.
Footnotes
- 1 IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, IEEE Std 802.3, Clause 40.
- 2 The TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section, Fiber-optic cabling: Frequently asked questions, Cabling Installation & Maintenance Magazine.
- 3 Most Perle ethernet to fiber converters fall within this range, with some lower and some higher. Calculation model based on MIL-HDBK-217-FN2 @ 30°C
- 4 Valerie Maguire, 1000BASE-LX Application Overview, TIA FOTC.