FY-ENC-KSU Fast Ethernet RJ-45 to OptoLock® POF Optical Media Converter
- Technology
- Fibre optic cables, connectors and assemblies
- Partner
- Firecomms
The FY-ENC-KSU is a compact fast Ethernet media converter designed to connect traditional RJ-45 Ethernet equipment to plastic optical fibre (POF) networks. It offers a single 10/100Base-TX port for copper and an OptoLock® POF interface for fibre, enabling users to run data links over 50 m of POF cable at 100 Mbps without the complexity of glass fibre. This converter is truly plug-and-play, requiring no software configuration – simply attach your Ethernet cable and POF cable, and the link is established.
The device is USB-powered (5 V DC), so it can draw power from a standard USB adapter or port, adding to its convenience in home, lab, or office setups. Typical applications include home and office network extensions, industrial or medical systems needing electrical isolation, and any scenario where EMI immunity or galvanic isolation is important. With its connectorless OptoLock design, installing a POF link is straightforward – just cut the fibre to length with the included cutter and insert it directly, allowing quick deployment of robust Fast Ethernet-over-POF connections.
Range features
A high level overview of what this range offers
- RJ-45 to POF bridging – Connects standard 10/100 Ethernet devices to a POF fibre link seamlessly, extending networks into new areas
- OptoLock connectorless design – Allows direct use of bare 2.2 mm plastic optical fibre without any connectors, simplifying installation and maintenance
- 100 Mbps over 50 m – Supports Fast Ethernet data rates over distances up to 50 metres using standard step-index POF cable, suitable for short-run network extensions
- Plug-and-play operation – No configuration or drivers required; the converter automatically links the copper and fibre segments for immediate network connectivity
- USB-powered convenience – Uses a 5 V DC power supply via USB, meaning it can be powered from a PC’s USB port or the included adapter, eliminating the need for a dedicated mains supply
- Complete installation kit – Comes with a USB power adapter and cable, a POF cutter, and an Ethernet patch lead to get you set up out-of-the-box without extra tools
- EMI immunity and isolation – The polymer fibre link provides electromagnetic interference immunity and galvanic isolation between network segments, enhancing reliability in noisy or sensitive environments
- Compact robust design – Durable, small-footprint housing that can be easily placed in office or equipment spaces and moved as needed for temporary or permanent installations
Downloads
for FY-ENC-KSU Fast Ethernet RJ-45 to OptoLock® POF Optical Media Converter
What’s in this range?
All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
Copper Ethernet | 10/100Base-TX (RJ-45 port) |
POF Ethernet | 100Base-FX over 2.2 mm OptoLock® POF interface |
Supported data rate | 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet (full duplex) |
Maximum POF length | 50 m (with standard 1 mm core SI-POF cable) |
Housing | Black enclosure (desktop module) |
Power input | 5 V DC via USB (adapter and cable included) |
Included accessories | 5 V USB power adapter, USB cable, POF cutter, RJ45 patch cable |
FAQs
for FY-ENC-KSU Fast Ethernet RJ-45 to OptoLock® POF Optical Media Converter
This media converter uses an OptoLock® connectorless interface for the fibre side. You simply prepare the duplex plastic optical fibre by cutting it flat with the provided razor cutter, then insert the fibre ends into the OptoLock slot until it clicks. There’s no need for any special fibre connectors – the bare POF cable is held securely in place and aligned optically by the OptoLock mechanism.
The converter supports Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) operation over plastic optical fibre lengths of up to 50 metres (using standard 1 mm core step-index POF). This covers most short-run network needs like intra-office, home networking between rooms, or machine-to-machine links on a factory floor. At the full 50 m span you still get a reliable 100 Mbps connection, equivalent to 100Base-FX performance over glass fibre but on a flexible plastic fibre medium.
Typically yes. To create a point-to-point link over POF, you would use two media converters – one at each end – with a length of duplex POF cable between them. This allows you to connect two distant copper Ethernet devices via the fibre. Alternatively, it’s possible to connect this converter to another device that has a compatible POF optical port (for example, a network switch or router with a POF interface), since the optical side adheres to the Fast Ethernet 100Base-FX standard over POF. In most scenarios, using a matched pair of converters is the simplest way to extend a copper Ethernet link over fibre.
No, configuration is not needed. The FY-ENC-KSU is a plug-and-play device. It operates at the physical layer, simply converting signals between electrical Ethernet and optical Ethernet. Just plug in the RJ-45 port to your network device and the POF cable to the OptoLock port – the converter will automatically establish link connectivity. There are typically LED indicators on the unit to show power and link status, so you can verify the connection without any software.
Using plastic optical fibre (POF) offers several benefits in certain scenarios. POF is immune to electromagnetic interference, so it’s ideal in environments with lots of electrical noise or radio interference, where copper cabling might suffer from noise or crosstalk. It also provides galvanic isolation between the linked devices – there is no metallic connection, which can prevent ground loop issues and enhance electrical safety. Additionally, POF is safe and easy to handle (no glass shards or laser hazards) and is very quick to install using the OptoLock system, since you don’t need to polish or terminate fibre with connectors. It’s a cost-effective solution for short-distance high-speed links, combining the speed of fibre with the simplicity of plugging in a cable.
The converter is designed for duplex plastic optical fibre cable with a 2.2 mm outer diameter (this typically contains two 1 mm core POF strands for transmit and receive). This kind of POF cable is not usually included with the converter kit, so you will need to source an appropriate length of duplex POF cable separately. The OptoLock interface will accept the standard 2.2 mm jacketed POF. Make sure to get step-index POF intended for Fast Ethernet use (sometimes sold as Industrial POF or 100 Mbps POF cable) for best results over 50 m distances.
The FY-ENC-KSU converter is powered via 5 V DC supplied through a USB connection. It comes with a dedicated USB mains adapter (wall plug) and a USB cable. You can either plug it into the provided adapter (for a standard outlet) or connect it to a USB power source such as a USB port on a PC or a USB power bank. The power consumption is modest, so running it from a computer’s USB port is typically fine. This USB power method makes the unit quite portable and easy to power in various locations.
Yes, the media converter features LED indicators to help you monitor its status. Commonly, there will be a Power LED to show that the unit is powered on, and link/activity LEDs for the RJ-45 port and the POF link. These indicators will light up when a link is established on each side (copper and fibre) and may blink with data activity. This makes it easier to troubleshoot – for example, you can verify if the Ethernet cable is connected properly and if the fibre link has been established, all at a glance on the device.
