Connector Types and Termination Methods

Methods
One of the most important steps in the installation of fiber optic cable is termination. This chapter will discuss the methods of termination, with focus on field installation. In the field installation section, generic requirements for making quality connections are discussed, as well as recommendations for appropriate connector technology to use for a given application. Fan-out or furcation options are then discussed. Finally, a discussion of various connector types is included (SC and LC, among others) with recommendations. There are four basic ways to terminate optical fibers: Pigtail splicing Preterminated cable assemblies Field termination Preterminated hardware

Pigtail Splicing
A fiber optic pigtail is typically a single or multifiber cable that has been terminated on one end with a fiber connector. The other end remains unterminated. This unterminated end is spliced to the cable that requires termination. This splice can be either a fusion or mechanical splice as discussed in Chapter 6, Splicing Methods. After splicing, the splice point is protected in a splice organizer and placed into terminating hardware (Figure 7.2). See Chapter 8 for more information on splice hardware. Pigtail splicing has some advantages in consumables savings and elimination of spares; however, historically the extra space required for hardware protection and the added material costs typically outweigh these advantages, specifically in premises applications. This has recently changed with the advent of the Pretium Connector Housings (PCH). The extended depth of the Pretium Connector Housing allows more space to store splices. This allows the combination of splicing and termination in the same box. The installer now has the option of installing up to 144 fiber pigtails in a single 4-rack unit (PCH-04U housing), or up to 24 fiber pigtails in a PCH-01U housing.

These options apply to the termination of both backbone and horizontal distribution fiber optic cables. Each option has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the application, installer experience and installer preference. First of all, it is important to define connector technology since certain parts will be referred to often. Figure 7.1 shows a component view of the LC connector. While the type of connector may change, the component parts will generally be the same.

Figure 7.1 LC Connector Component Breakdown | Drawing ZA-2833

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Figure 7.2 Mechanical Splicing with Pigtails and Fusion Splicing with Pigtails | Drawing ZA-628

Preterminated Assemblies
Corning Cable Systems recommends the use of factoryterminated cable assemblies for the cross-connect, equipment jumpers, work area jumpers and patch cords because the installation (cable placement) is rarely difficult and short lengths are readily available. The use of factory-terminated cable assemblies minimizes the labor and time involved in installation and, in the case of Corning Cable Systems preterminated assemblies, guarantees quality of workmanship. Preterminated assemblies are available in all lengths and with all modern connector types. Hybrid assemblies are also available with different connector types on each end. Corning Cable Systems recommends the use of hybrid patch cords in applications where the equipment connector type does not match the connecting hardware interface. Some commonly used connector types are shown in Figure 7.3. While Corning Cable Systems offers tight-buffered, loose tube and ribbon cables preterminated for special applications, Corning Cable Systems typically recommends field termination of backbone and horizontal cables in the LAN.

Figure 7.3 Commonly Used Connector Types | Drawing ZA-2828

The data center has typically used Plug & Play Universal System components consisting of MTP Connector trunks and Plug & Play Universal System modules due to the speed of construction with these components. However, with the introduction of UniCam MTP Connectors, there has been some interest in field termination in the data center and LAN environment.

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Connector Types and Termination Methods

Field Termination
General Termination Technology
With the advent of easy-to-install field connectors and new methods to fan-out loose tube cables, field termination has become the most common method for terminating fiber optic cables in the LAN. Corning Cable Systems recommends field termination throughout the network, with the exception of patch cords, equipment cords or cross-connect jumpers. Advancements now make field termination the best means to terminate optical fiber cables regardless of whether the fiber is single-mode or the cable is loose tube or tight-buffered. Data centers typically use Plug & Play Universal System preterminated cable for horizontal and backbone applications to expedite installation. There are numerous types of connectors on the market, each with slightly different installation procedures. However, all connectors require two important installation steps that are common among all connectors. fibers will be physically touching inside the connector adapter as they are held under compression. Lack of a PC finish results in an air gap between the fibers and increased connector insertion loss and return loss (Figure 7.5).

Figure 7.5 Physical Contact | Drawing ZA-420

There are several polishing methods recommended, which are typically dependent on the ferrule material used. If a ferrule is made of a very hard material such as ceramic, it is common for the ferrule to be radiused on the end-face and is referred to as pre-radiused. Softer ferrule materials such as composite thermoplastic or glass-inceramic may be polished flat. These materials wear away at approximately the same rate as the fiber and can be polished aggressively and still maintain a PC finish. Connector ferrules are available from Corning Cable Systems in ceramic or composite (polymer) materials. Ceramic is a very durable material and is commonly used in single-mode simplex and duplex connectors. Multimode connectors are available in ceramic and composite materials. Polymer materials have the advantage of a lower cost without sacrificing performance. The performance of polymer ferrules is high enough, in fact, that some connector ferrules of single-mode quality are produced with composite materials. Corning Cable Systems does not recommend ferrules to be made of a stainless steel material. Connectors with stainless steel ferrules (when compared to ceramic or composite) have higher typical insertion loss, generate more debris during re-mating and do not perform well during thermal cycling or vibration testing. MTP Connector ferrules are composite no ceramic option exists.

Figure 7.4 Epoxy Application | Drawing ZA-316

First, the fiber must be secured into the connector. This is done using epoxy. The epoxy process is important to the longterm reliability of the connector. The epoxy keeps fiber movement over temperature at a minimum, allows polishing without fear of fracturing the fiber and seals the fiber from effects of the environment. In addition, it allows the fiber to be aggressively cleaned on the end-face. Therefore, it is very important that the epoxy be present along a sufficient length of the bare fiber and as a bead surrounding the fiber on the end-face of the connector (Figure 7.4). Cleaving the fiber stub prior to polishing is also very important. If the stub is not properly cleaved, the fiber may fracture below the end-face of the connector making polishing the fiber flush with the end-face impossible. Once the fiber is epoxied and cleaved, the connector end-face must be polished. A physical contact (PC) finish is recommended and is specified by TIA/EIA-568-B.3. This means the

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TIA/EIA-568-B.3 specifies PC finish connectors for both multimode and single-mode connectors. The standard specifies a reflectance or return loss of -20 dB for multimode and -26 dB for single-mode. A PC polish should ensure these return loss values. In the field, Corning Cable Systems recommends a PC polish for multimode and a super PC finish for single-mode with a reflectance of -40 dB. In lieu of field testing for reflectance values, Corning Cable Systems recommends using connectors and polishing techniques that ensure these reflectance values are obtained. With the recent introduction of a patented springloaded puck (Figure 7.6), Corning Cable Systems field-polished terminations are capable of UPC performance (-55 dB reflectance).

Reflectance
Many modern high-bandwidth single-mode laserbased systems are susceptible to reflected power. This reflectance can cause signal degradation in high-performance digital and analog systems. Corning Cable Systems offers connectors capable of super phycial contact (SPC), ultra physical contact (UPC) or angled physical contact (APC) performance. The reflectance levels of these offerings are listed in Figure 7.7.

Figure 7.7 Reflectance Levels

Figure 7.6 Floating LC Hand Polishing Puck | Drawing ZA-2886

For the most demanding applications, the APC connector is specified. An APC connector cannot be mated to a standard spherical polished connector. For APC, Corning Cable Systems offers the LC, SC, FC and MTP Connectors. The ferrule is pre-angled and must be polished with an automatic polisher. Not commonly seen in the premises environment, this product has a low reflectance value and is typically used with analog CATV systems.

Termination Specifications
When selecting the proper termination for a given application, there are two specifications to consider: insertion loss and reflectance. Insertion loss is the attenuation of signal caused by the light going from one fiber to the other, while optical return loss, or reflectance, is the amount of light that is reflected back toward the source or transmitter from the connector mating.

Connector Installation Options

Even though almost all connector types require epoxy to bond fiber to ferrule and polished endfaces, there are many alternatives for installation in the field. Corning Cable Systems has a variety of connectors that can be classified based upon curing techniques and offers them in single-fiber, dual-fiber and multifiber connector types. This includes the established SC, FC and ST compatible Connector types, as well as the newer LC, MU, MT-RJ and MTP Connector types. This section offers some explanation of these connectors with recommendations on which connector to use in each part of the network. However, installer preference based on experience, labor rates and tools often determines the termination technology used.

Insertion Loss
Simply put, insertion loss is the amount of attenuation to system power caused by inserting a component such as a connector or splice into a fiber path. It is important to consider the loss of a termination to ensure that sufficient power arrives at the receiver. All Corning Cable Systems termination types comply with TIA/EIA568-B.3 with respect to insertion loss.

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Connector Types and Termination Methods

No-Epoxy/No-Polish Connectors
Advantages: Cost-effective for all applications No epoxy or polishing No consumables No power source required Few tools needed Minimal setup required Fast installation (less than one minute) The No-Epoxy/No-Polish UniCam Connector is available in standard single-fiber options: SC, FC and ST Compatible. It is also available in the small-form-factor LC, MTP and MT-RJ Connectors. A single installation kit is needed to terminate with all of these connector types. Single-mode, 50/125 m multimode, laser-optimized 50/125 m multimode and 62.5/125 m multimode versions are available for each connector type. A significant advantage of the UniCam Connector becomes clear when terminating in confined spaces or when making only a few terminations per location. The only tools required are a stripper, a cleaver, the workstation installation tool and an alcohol pad. As a result, assembly space can be kept to a minimum, setup is quick and assembly is relatively fast and easy with no consumables. When taking into account the material, labor and consumables costs of termination, the UniCam Connector is the most cost-effective solution for most applications. Besides the cost savings, the factory polish also yields a highquality product. The reflectance of a field-polished connector is typically unknown and may vary with each termination. Corning Cable Systems is able to measure reflectance values of UniCam Connectors. The factory polishing process, along with 100 percent factory testing, allows for low, consistent insertion loss and reflectance values. Multimode UniCam Connectors are available with PC (physical contact) reflectance performance while single-mode UniCam Connectors are available in SPC or UPC performance. A very important advantage of the UniCam Connector design over other no-cure connectors is that the fiber is fully protected from the environment. The epoxy process and polishing process in the factory are carefully performed to make certain the UniCam Connector will last over the entire life of the network.

Figure 7.8 No-Epoxy/No-Polish UniCam Connector | Drawing ZA-426

As an enhancement to the UniCam Connector tool kit, the continuity test set (CTS) is available to help the installer during the termination process. A visual fault locator is used to illuminate the translucent cam of the UniCam Connector. As the field fibers are placed into the connector, the glow of the cam dims as continuity is achieved. Although not a necessity for successful installation, this additional component can help to eliminate scrap connectors. The CTS is currently available for the LC, SC, ST compatible and MT-RJ Connector terminations. Based on economics, performance and ease of use, the UniCam Connector is recommended as the connector of choice for field installations. In addition, the UniCam Connector is recommended as the connector of choice for the end-user when performing moves, additions, changes or repairs of network connections. The newest addition to the UniCam Connector line-up is the UniCam MTP Connector. This connector incorporates the latest technology and is designed to terminate a 12-fiber ribbon interconnect or 12-fiber ribbon cable. With the use of a newly designed ribbon fan-out kit, the installer also has the option of field-terminating ribbon cables using the UniCam MTP Connector. Although the basic principle of factory-polished end-face with factory-cleaved fiber stubs remains the same, the UniCam MTP Connector installation kit is different from the single- and dual-fiber UniCam Connector kit. The installation tool, cleaver and thermal stripper have been changed to accommodate 12-fiber ribbons.

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Epoxy and Polish Connectors
Heat-Cured
Advantages: Batch termination Available in single-mode and multimode Low connector material cost Epoxy and polish connectors are a cost-effective way to make cable assemblies at an assembly house or to install in a location where a large number of fibers are terminated at one time. The connector piece-part cost is generally low and several ferrule materials are available for heat-curing. The consumables cost, however, can become expensive due to limited epoxy life and replacement of polishing paper. Additionally, epoxy and polish connectors typically require more time and skill to install compared to UniCam Connectors or glass-insert connectors which are described later in this section. Corning Cable Systems offers both all-ceramic and all-composite ferrule types in heat-cured technology with the SC, FC, and ST compatible Connectors. MT-RJ, MTP and LC Connectors are also available for heat-cured installation. Epoxy and polish connectors are available in single-mode and multimode fiber varieties. Epoxy and polish connectors are available for 50/125 m and 62.5/125 m multimode fiber. Single-mode fiber should always be terminated with a singlemode tolerance connector. The core of a single-mode fiber is much smaller than that of multimode fiber. For this reason, a small misalignment of the cores will result in a greater insertion loss in single-mode than in multimode terminations. The epoxy and polish connectors are an acceptable termination method for use in the MC or IC where economies can be gained from terminating large numbers of fibers. In this environment, the relatively long curing time of heat-cured epoxy can be offset by curing a group of connectors together.

UV-Cured
Advantages: Lower consumables cost No heat generated Very robust polish Faster installation time than heat-cured connectors The increase in field installation has become the focus for connector development in recent years. Decreases in epoxy and polish time have created connectors termed quick mount, aimed at reducing the labor content of installing connectors. Corning Cable Systems is the leader in developing quick mount connectors for field installation and introduced the UV-cured connector several years ago. Recent advances in the UV-cured connector have allowed Corning Cable Systems to offer a pre-assembled, reduced-piece-part connector. UV-cured connectors are available in SC and ST compatible Connector designs.

Figure 7.9 Glass-Insert Connectors | Drawing ZA-630

The UV-cured connector product line involves a glass-insert connector (GIC). The ferrule features a glass insert surrounded by ceramic (Figure 7.9). The glass insert allows the installer to do two things. First, the glass insert propagates light. Therefore, a UV-cured adhesive can be used to bond the fiber into the ferrule in a mere 45 seconds. Second, the glass insert protrudes beyond the ceramic outer sleeve. This means the glass insert is polished along with the fiber; the glass is roughly the same hardness as the fiber and polishes at the same rate. This results in a flat PC polish that routinely gives 99 percent yield in the field. The connector yields savings on labor, consumables and scrap, making it one of the most cost-effective connectors on the market.

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Anaerobic
Advantages: No oven or lamp needed No electrical source required Faster installation time than heat-cured This two-step process requires no external stimulus for curing to occur. An adhesive is injected into the connector ferrule and will not harden until mixed with a curing agent. The bare fiber is dipped into a primer and pushed through the ferrule. This will cause the two parts to mix and curing occurs. No oven or lamp is necessary. Anaerobic connectors are available in LC, SC, ST compatible Connector and FC types. The LC polishing procedure has been enhanced through the incorporation of a spring-loaded LC polishing puck. The spring tension in the puck, and not the installer, controls the pressure on the end-face of the connector during polishing. With the use of this puck, the LC anaerobic single-mode connector is UPC capable.

Fan-Out Kits
When direct termination of optical fibers is implemented, a fan-out kit is often required. Loose tube cables have a bare 250 m fiber which must be built up to 900 m before termination. This is accomplished using buffer tube fan-out kits, as shown in Figure 7.10. The fibers are threaded through the fan-out assembly and then secured to the buffer tube using the furcation unit. These fan-out kits are also available for ribbon applications. There are situations which require the backbone cable be directly connected into the electronics, without first going through a patch panel. For these applications the fiber must be properly furcated for additional strength and protection. Corning Cable Systems offers a spider fan-out kit, Figure 7.11, which provides strength elements to each individual leg. These can be ordered to accept both tight-buffered (900 m) and loose tube (250 m) fiber.

Evaluation of Connector Choices

Determining the proper termination technology for a given application can be challenging. With technical specifications being equal, termination selection comes down to a matter of cost. The total cost of termination equation is:
Materials (non-terminated bag-of-parts, tool kit) + Consumable (adhesive/epoxy and polishing film) + Labor (curing, polishing, set-up and tear-down) + Scrap (as a percentage of above sub-total) = Total Installed Termination Cost

Figure 7.10 Buffer Tube Fan-Out Kit Components | Drawing ZA-2565

Figure 7.11 Spider Fan-Out Kit Assembly | Drawing ZA-2873

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Ribbon Fan-Out Kit
The ribbon fan-out kit is available for the installer who wishes to terminate ribbon cables using the MTP Connector. The ribbon fan-out kit is similar in construction to the spider fanout kit. However, where the furcation legs of the spider fanout protect single fibers, the ribbon fan-out furcation legs protect 12-fiber ribbons. Cable Systems only offers the senior LC connector type to reduce connectivity complexity and to enhance reliable performance. Although other connector types are gaining in popularity, TIA/EIA-568 recommended the SC connector as the prime choice for the connector interface at all cross-connects and outlets. The overriding issue driving the connector decision was that it be suitable for fiber-to-the-desktop applications. Factors included size, cost, ease of field installation and adoption by other standards bodies. The duplex LC, shown in Figure 7.11, has a pushpull latching mechanism with two LC connectors held together with a clip. This allows it to be duplexed for easier mating than a bayonet style (ST compatible) connector. In addition, the adapter will accept either a simplex or duplex connector and the connector may be used in either the duplex or simplex applications.

Connector Types: LC, SC and Others

New connector types are available that, when compared on a per fiber basis, are less expensive and smaller than the SC duplex connector. TIA/EIA-568-B, Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard, allows the use of smallform-factor connectors that are TIA FOCIS compliant and conform to the mechanical/environmental requirements in TIA/EIA-568-B.3. The most common of these small-formfactor connectors used in the premises environment is the LC connector. The LC connector is half the size of an SC connector. This effectively doubles the density that can be achieved when using this connector as opposed to other single-fiber connectors. This is extremely important at the electronics, where placing more ports on each card translates into cost savings. This increased density means cost and space savings at the patch panel as well. It can be used with todays standard 900 m tight-buffered fibers, jacketed cables with 900 m fiber and 250 m fibers with 900 m furcation tubing. Using the LC connector involves nuances not present with other single-fiber connectors. First of all, the LC connector standard allows for two versions of the LC connector. One version has a spring to apply force to the end-face of the ferrule. This is the senior LC. The junior version of the LC connector does not have a spring. The standard also requires that a mating of LC connectors must include at least one springloaded senior LC connector. This is required to ensure physical contact between connector end-faces. For this reason, LC connector adapters are offered in senior-senior versions or the more versatile senior-junior version. The presence of a key on the junior LC prevents the connector from being inserted into a senior adapter. However, the senior version without a key may be inserted into a junior or senior adapter. LC patch cords are made with senior LC connectors. This ensures that the matings at the interface between patch panel and electronics contain a spring-loaded LC senior connector. Corning

Figure 7.12 LC Interface | Drawing ZA-2834

Additionally, the user may terminate the fibers on the cabling side of the connecting hardware or outlet with simplex LC connectors and place them into a duplex adapter. In effect, this duplexes them. This allows easy field installation and cost-

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effective solutions, unlike other duplex connectors. The LC requires simply adding an LC clip to hold the two connectors together, simplifying cable strain-relief and allowing remakes of just one connector. (See Chapter 2 on managing polarity throughout the network.) Another small-form-factor connector is the MT-RJ connector. The MT-RJ connector terminates two fibers in a single ferrule. This connector fits an adapter with the same footprint of a standard single-fiber connector. For this reason, capacity of a given piece of hardware can be effectively doubled when using the MT-RJ. An MT-RJ connection typically consists of three components: a pinned MT-RJ connector (with precision guide pins), a pin-less MT-RJ connector (with corresponding guide pin holes), and an MT-RJ connector adapter. Precision fiber alignment in the MT-RJ connector pair is accomplished by the stainless steel guide pins. These pins protrude forward from the connector body on each side of the connector ferrule. The MT-RJ connector incorporates a latching mechanism similar to an RJ-45 copper cable connector, such as the familiar telephone line plug. The adapter functions as a coarse alignment mechanism to ensure that the guide pins in the pinned connector properly seat into the guide pin holes of a pinless connector. The adapter also serves as a place for engaging the connector latch that provides spring force to hold the connector end-faces together. The Corning Cable Systems MT-RJ Connector adapter has an extra feature that allows the MT-RJ connector on one side of the panel to be inserted into the adapter two different ways. This patented dual keyway allows for a quick fix of polarity errors, ensuring that the fibers are oriented for a correct transmit-to-receive path, saving the installer the rework of the network. An installed base of ST compatible or FC Connectors should not be a concern. A quality ST compatible Connector will support the same speed networks that an SC will support. Corning Cable Systems supports each connector type. Typically, Corning Cable Systems recommends that if a substantial backbone network has been installed with ST compatible connectors and one is merely adding to an existing system, the ST compatible Connector should remain. If there is no installed base, or it is limited compared to future capacity, the LC connector should be given strong consideration. For anyone planning a fiber-to-the-desktop network, consider the LC connector interface because of the benefits of a duplex connection at the work station. Within the LAN and data center markets, the MU connector is attracting attention. The MU is essentially a half-scale SC, which makes the connector attractive to those familiar with the SC connector. The MU connector combines the small-form-factor space savings of the LC connector with the easy push-pull connector/adapter engagement of the SC connector. Currently, the MU connector is available in factory-installed cable assemblies only. However, field-installable versions of the MU are in development and will be available in the near future.

Figure 7.13 MTP Connector | Drawing ZA-1572

MTP Connectors
Data centers and other intrabuilding systems are driving the need to place more fiber and electronics into a smaller area. Only slightly larger than a standard single-fiber connector, the 12-fiber MTP Connector is perfect for a high-density environment. Today the MTP Connector is commonly available in preterminated form; either in pigtail form to be spliced onto a 12-fiber ribbon, or as an MTP Connector backbone assembly which is terminated on each end. Field-installable UniCam MTP Connectors are also available.

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Corning Cable Systems LLC

PO Box 489 Hickory, NC 28603-0489 USA t 800 743 2675 f 828 901 5973 International +1-828-901-5000 www.corning.com/cablesystems

Corning Cable Systems reserves the right to improve, enhance and modify the features and specifications of Corning Cable Systems products without prior notification. ALTOS, Crimp & Go, FREEDM, LANscape, LID-SYSTEM, MIC, miniMass, TBII and UniCam are registered trademarks of Corning Cable Systems Brands, Inc. CamSplice, Elite, Lite, LSZH, OptiVisor, Pretium, Plug & Play, QUICK-SEAL, Splice Pak and Universal are trademarks of Corning Cable Systems Brands, Inc. Desk-Link and LST are trademarks of Corning Cable Systems LLC. Discovering Beyond Imagination is a trademark of Corning Incorporated. MTP is a registered trademark of USConec, Ltd. ST is a registered trademark of Lucent Technologies. smallTALK is a registered trademark of GN Nettest (New York) Inc. ESCON is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Corning Cable Systems is ISO 9001 certified. 2002, 2005 Corning Cable Systems. All rights reserved. Published in the USA. LAN-164CD-EN / November 2005 / 25M