Fiber Optic Network Cable Termination and Patching

The purpose of fiber termination is to provide easy ways for fiber cross connection and light wave signal distribution. There are two types of fiber terminations: connector and splicing.

Connector

Over the last two decades fiber industry manufacturers have developed at least a dozen types of fiber optics connectors. The typical ones are FC, SC, ST, LC, MU, SMA and MTRJ.

Splicing

Splicing is the process of connecting two bare fibers directly without any connectors. There are two methods of fiber optic splicing: mechanical splicing and fusion splicing.

Connector termination type introduction

A quick termination fiber connector is actually a mini-pigtail housed in a connector body. There is a fiber stub already bonded into the ferrule in the factory, where the endface of the ferrule is polished to a PC finish. The other end of the fiber is cleaved and resides inside the connector body.

The field fiber is cleaved and inserted into the connector until it "butts up" against the fiber stub. A mechanical clamping process keeps the fiber in place and completes the connector with no epoxy or polishing required.

After strain relieving the fiber to the connector, it is ready to be mated to another connector inside an adapter.

Applications for quick termination fiber connectors:

• Where a smaller number of connectors are necessary
• Where moves, adds, changes or testing are frequently performed
• LAN environments where the installer is required to move from termination point to termination point (work areas, telecommunications outlets)
• Where maintenance or restoration is required on an active network or system

Applications for traditional epoxy and polish fiber connectors:

• Where a large number of connectors will be used
• Where added fiber retention is beneficial
• Where gel-filled cable is present
• Where unique buffer coatings or cable types are used
• Environmental conditions that are not aligned with TIA 568-B.3 (Outside Plant, Industrial, etc)