Selecting The Correct Fiber Optic Connector

Selecting the correct fiber optic connector "assembly style", directly effects the quality and cost of the installation. The choices include:

Quick and easy connectors generally reduce fiber optic training expense, but increase component cost. It is important to select the technology that best serves your companies short and long-term goals. The purpose of this article is to take a look at the different solutions available today.

Crimp style connector - This connector is installed using a 3 step process, insert fiber, crimp, scribe and polish. This is also a quick termination connector. Crimp style connectors depend largely on the diameter of the cable for a good crimp and successful termination. Because the diameters of certain cables may vary, and no epoxy is used, crimp style connectors occasionally pull off the cable.

No-epoxy pre-polished connector - A recently popular quick termination connector to be actively used is a no epoxy, pre-polished, mechanical splice connector. When you buy these connectors it's like buying a factory polished fiber installed into an alignment system in addition to the normal connector. It is understandable that this pre-polished connector with a mechanical alignment sleeve costs at least three times more that the standard epoxy connector. Since no epoxy is used, the tensile strength is half of what is called for in the EIA/TIA standards. Probably the biggest concern with this quick termination style connector is that in a mated pair of connectors you have two splices and a connection point within 3 inches, making failure and loss three times more likely.

Pre-loaded epoxy connector - Preloaded with epoxy or adhesive this connector must be heated for installation. The application of the epoxy step is eliminated but you must still cleave and polish for assembly. This product is marketed as a quick termination solution. The epoxy holds the fiber in place inside the ferrule much like the traditional connectors, therefore the fiber is less prone to breaking due to vibration or abnormal temperature conditions.

Standard epoxy style connectors - These require injected epoxy, crimping and polishing. The majority of connectors today use this approach enjoying improvements that apply to better epoxy and polishing procedures. The tensile strength meets EIA/TIA standards of 20lbs and the installer can polish the ferrule to the desired satisfaction. This connector takes longer to install but costs less.

The technique that serves your needs is dependent upon the skill level of your technicians, the number of connectors at each installation and the number of installation's you have planned for your company. When a repair is required or a low volume count is needed, a quick termination approach may be your solution. If your company is planning a long term competitive advantage offering the highest quality installation, you will probably find that you are not cost competitive unless you are using the epoxy style connectors.

Selecting the correct connector type for your installation deserves proper attention. It is my recommendation that an epoxy style connector be used in larger count applications for an environmentally stable and cost effective installation. Quick connects are desirable for lower count applications in environmentally stable conditions.