How to Terminate Bare Fiber With Fiber Optic Connector?

There are usually two ways for fiber optic termination. Bare optic fiber can be either spliced with another fiber for a permanent joint or connected with fiber optic connector for a temporary joint. When using the fiber optic connector, we can easily install or uninstall the cable for various applications. This type of termination is more flexible and simple to operate. It is also time-saving to use fiber optic connectors for cable connectivity. However, do you know the right process to terminate bare fiber with fiber optic connector? This article will guide you step by step.

Common Fiber Optic Connectors

Let’s start from the fiber optic connectors. Choosing the right kind of connector for your termination is extremely important. In today’s market, four types of fiber optic connectors are widely used for terminating single fibers. They are LC, SC, ST and FC connectors. LC connector has a 1.25mm ceramic ferrule which is only half the size of other connectors. It’s a snap-in connector usually used for high-density applications. SC connector uses a 2.5mm ceramic ferrule and also features a snap-in connection for quick cable patching. Different from other connectors, ST connector uses a bayonet twist-lock connection with 2.5mm ferrule. Moreover, FC is a screw type connector with 2.5mm ferrule but is becoming less popular than LC and SC connectors.

Connector Polish Styles

When terminating the optic fiber with connector, you should also decide the polish type if the connector is not polished in advance. Generally, connector end face will be polished to minimize back reflection of light. Using the mated polish styles, light can propagate through connectors with lower fiber loss. There are four types of polish styles - flat, PC, UPC and APC polishes. Among them, UPC and APC types are more popular in the industry. The major difference between UPC and APC connectors is that the APC type is polished at an 8-degree angle while UPC has no angle, but they are both slightly curved for better core alignment. As for the color, UPC connector is usually blue and APC connector is green.

Important Precautions

Fiber optic cable is very fragile and sensitive to contamination, thus we need to pay more attention to the precautions before starting termination. Here lists some general precautions as a reference:

• Always keep dust cap on unused connectors. Store spare dust caps in a dust free environment.
• Remember to clean the connector and fiber before termination.
• Make sure there is no laser light in the fiber during termination process.
• Do not bend the optic fiber at a radius less than 25 mm.

Termination Process

When everything is ready, we can begin the fiber optic termination. The followings are the specific steps.

• Step 1, measure and mark the cable jacket to the desired length(usually 35 mm). Place jacket stripper on mark and squeeze gently until cutter closes. Pull the cut section off the cable.
• Step 2, measure and mark kevlar to the desired length(usually remain 7 mm). Use scissors to cut away extra kevlar.
• Step 3, measure and mark the buffer to the desired length(usually remain 16 mm). Strip the buffer in several small lengths to avoid fiber damage.
• Step 4, use a lint-free, alcohol-soaked tissue to clean the fiber.
• Step 5, fill the syringe with adhesive, and slowly inject the adhesive into the ceramic tip.
• Step 6, gently insert the fiber into the connector and put the connector components together.
• Step 7, place the connector in the polishing disk. Put it on the polishing film, and lightly polish the connector for 8 to 10 times.
• Step 8, mission complete! Give it a try on your equipment.

Conclusion

Bare fiber terminated with fiber optic connectors greatly eases the stress for cable installation. It is always recommended to turn to the professionals for help when doing fiber optic termination.

source:http://www.fiber-optic-cable-sale.com/terminate-bare-fiber-fiber-optic-connector.html

Introduction to Fiber Optic Pigtails

During the process of fiber optic cable installation, cable connection is important to ensure the low attenuation and low return loss of signal transmission between cable and equipment. And fiber optic pigtail is a commonly used component for the connection of optical network. It is a piece of cable terminated with fiber optic connectors at one end and no connector at the other end. In this way, the connector side can be linked to the equipment and the other side can be fused with optical cable fibers. This article will emphasize on the types of fiber optic pigtails and their applications.

Here are two classifications of fiber optic pigtails. Firstly classified by connectors, fiber optic pigtails has seven types including E2000, LC, SC, ST, FC, MU and MTRJ. Secondly classified by fibers, fiber optic pigtails has two types as single-mode and multimode.

Classification of Connector

1)LC fiber optic pigtail uses the LC connector developed by Lucent Company. LC connector is now one of the most popular connectors in the world. A 1.25mm ceramic ferrule makes LC fiber optic pigtail a better choice for low cost but high precision signal transmission.

2) SC fiber optic pigtail uses the SC connector developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone. SC connector has a ceramic ferrule of 2.5 mm. Its light weight and cost-effective features enable different applications of SC fiber optic pigtail.

3)ST fiber optic pigtail uses the ST connector developed by American Telephone & Telegraph. ST connector has a 2.5mm bayonet-styled ferrule. It is one of the eldest generations of fiber optic connectors. But it is still used for many fiber optic applications, especially for multimode fiber optic communications.

4)FC fiber optic pigtail uses the FC connector developed by Nippon Electric Company. The connector features the screw type structure and high precision ceramic ferrule. FC fiber optic pigtail is usually used for general fiber optic applications.

 

Classification of Fiber Types

Single-mode fiber and multimode fiber are both used for fiber optic pigtails. The single-mode fiber optic pigtail has a 9/125 micron core size. SC, LC, ST, FC and E2000 connectors are all fit for this kind of fiber. As for multimode fiber optic pigtails, there are two different core sizes. One is 62.5/125 micron of OM1, and the other is 50/125 micron of OM2, OM3, OM4. SC, LC, ST, FC connectors are adaptable to multimode fiber optic pigtails.

Applications

Fiber optic pigtail sometimes has multiple fiber strands, including 4 fibers, 6 fibers, 8 fibers, 12 fibers, 24 fibers, 48 fibers and so on. This helps the effective interconnection and cross-connect in various applications. Since fiber optic pigtail supports fusion splicing, it is often used with devices like optical distribution frames, splice closures and cross cabinets.

Conclusion

In summary, fiber optic pigtail is a cable that only one end is terminated with connectors. The other end can be melted with optical fiber for a permanent connection. You may choose the adaptable fiber optic pigtail from the perspective of connector types, fiber types, strand numbers, etc. Hope this article can provide a little help.

Article source: http://www.fiber-optic-cable-sale.com/introduction-to-fiber-optic-pigtails.html.

How Much Do You Know About Fiber Connectors

Fiber connector is an inseparable part for connecting optic fiber with network devices. An optical fiber connector terminates the end of an optical fiber, and enables quicker connection and disconnection than splicing. The connectors mechanically couple and align the cores of fibers so light can pass. Without fiber connector, data can not be easily transmitted, therefore it is a better way for fiber optic transmission. But how much do you know about it?

Four Commonly Used Fiber Connectors

Here is the introduction to some commonly used fiber connectors:

SC Connector  SC connector, being square, has a nickname of "Square Connector", which some people believe to be the correct name, rather than the more official name of "Subscriber Connector". Other terms often used for SC connectors are “Set and Click” and “Stab and Click”. It is a snap-in connector used for high performance transmission. First invented by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1980s. SC connector has a 2.5mm ceramic ferrule for providing accurate alignment. It is now one of the most popular connectors in the world because of its cheaper price, easier push-off installation, high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.

LC Connector  As a widely used fiber optic connector for jointing equipment with optic fiber, the LC connector solution was developed in response to customer needs for smaller and easier-to-use fiber optic connectivity. LC stands for “Lucent Connector”, and sometimes to be called as “Little Connector”. The shape of LC looks like SC connector but is usually considered to be the replacement of SC connector due to a 1.25mm ferrule, which is only half the size of SC connector. LC connector is available for the push-pull function which is convenient for installation and uninstallation and is favored for single-mode.

ST Connector  ST connector refers to having a “Straight Tip” because of its tipped shape on the top. Other names including "Set and Twist", "Stab and Twist", and "Single Twist" are referring to how it is inserted. It is a quick release bayonet style connector with a 2.5mm keyed ferrule. Developed by American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T), ST connector is thought to be the first actual standard connector for most commercial wiring which took the leading role of industry in the late 80s and early 90s. But due to its usage limitation for single-mode fiber and FTTH, it is less welcomed than before.

 

FC Connector  FC connector is short for “Ferrule Connector” or “Fiber Channel”. It is a screw coupling type connector with 2.5mm ferrule which was also the first optical fiber connector to use a ceramic ferrule. The FC standard is made for NTT installations, developed by Nippon Electric Co. (NEC). But since the growth of SC and LC connectors, its usage has been declined.

Applications

The application of fiber optic connectors can reach various aspects of the telecommunication industry. They are applied to the quicker connection and disconnection between optic fiber and equipment, and different types connectors also have different practical areas. SC connector is widely used in datacom and telecom, Gigabit-Capable PON (GPON), Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON), GBIC offering an excellent packing density. And LC connector is replacing SC connector for the high-density connection on small form-factor pluggable transceivers, such as SFP, SFP+ and XFP transceivers. ST connector is usually used for short distance applications and long line systems in datacom and telecom premise installation and test lab. With the screw-on connection, FC connector is suitable for datacom, telecom, measurement equipment, single-mode lasers, especially for high vibration environments for that the spring-loaded ferrule can be firmly mated.

Conclusion

On the whole, different types of fiber connectors provide an easier and quicker solution for connecting and disconnecting the optic fiber with network devices. Fiberstore provides cost-effective but high quality connectors with many different choices, you can find any type of fiber connectors you want in the website. So what are you waiting for? Please come to FS.COM to start your new shopping journey.


The article originates from http://www.chinacablesbuy.com/how-much-do-you-know-about-fiber-connectors.html.

Fiber optic connector is the terminal end of an optic fiber, it is easier and faster for people to joint different devices with connector instead of splicing which needs other tools for connection. The connector allows light pass through optic fiber. There are many types of connectors, such as SC connector, LC connector, FC connector, ST connector, and MTP/MPO connector. Different kinds of connectors are varied in different connector size or connecting ways. Generally, one system will use the same type of connectors.

MPO connector is a Multi-fiber Push-On/Off connector used for the joint between devices and optic fiber. It is designed for high-density light transmission in high-speed bandwidth and data network. The difference between MPO connector and other types of connectors is its larger size of multiple connectors on one end and a single connector on the other end. MPO product is available with 8, 12, 24 and 48 connectors which allows the operator to change channels simply by repatching the fanned-out side of the cable. There are two structures of MPO plug, one is the female plug with guide hole, and another is male plug with guide pin. 28.LC connector is a widely used fiber optic connector to joint equipment and optic fiber together. 

MOP connector

LC connector stands for lucent connector. It is a small form-factor fiber optic connector designed to provide horizontal light waves vary from 1280nm to 1624nm. It is considered to be the replacement for SC connector due to a 50% smaller size of a 1.25mm ferrule.The shape of connector is the same as SC connector but also smaller. LC connector is available for the push-pull function which is convenient for installation and uninstallation and is favored for single-mode. 

LC connector

SC connector is a snap-in connector used for high performance transmission. First invented by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1980s. SC is abbreviated for Square Connector owing to its square shape, and has a 2.5mm ceramic ferrule for providing accurate alignment. It is adopted in the same coupling way and pin as FC connector. SC connector is now one of the most popular connectors in the world because of its cheaper price, easier push-off installation, high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.

SC connector