Learning About Options in Fiber - Cables Plus USA

• Crimp the sleeve using a crimping tool. (See
Figure 2-28.)
SECTION 2—FIBER-OPTIC BASICS
Figure 2-28—Crimping of Ferrule
• Remove the installation tool and apply a bead
of epoxy to the front tip of the connector
Bead of
Epoxy
Kevlar
Outer
Jacket
(NOTE: Take care that epoxy does not get on
the barrel of the connector. If this does occur,
clean the connector with Isopropyl alcohol
after the epoxy sets and prior to polishing.)
• Cure the epoxy for approximately 5-10 minutes.
Optical
Fiber
Connector
Crimped
Sleeve
• Using a scribing tool, score the fiber close to
the epoxy bead and gently pull the fiber until it
separates.
• Place lapping film with 15, 3, and 1 micron aluminum
oxide grits on a smooth surface, preferably
glass.
(HINT: Leave a portion of the film overhanging
the glass for easy removal.)
• Gently rub the fiber on dry 15 micron film in a
circular motion until the fiber is flush with the
bead of epoxy.
• Install the connector in the polishing tool.
• Coarse polishing is performed on the 12 micron
film by moving the polishing tool in a gentle
figure-8 motion while lubricating the film with
water. Progress polishing options to a figure
eight pattern and continue for approximately
one minute or until all epoxy is removed.
• Continue the process on the 3 micron film
approximately 25-30 figure eight polishing patterns
on the 1 micron film should produce a
mirror-like finish. A 5 micron film is recommended
for an optimum finish.
(NOTE: In order to maintain proper end separation,
the connector must be polished so that
it is flush with the tool. A quick check is to
place the polishing tool with the connector on
a flat piece of glass. If any rocking action is
present, more polishing is needed. Return to 1
micron film for additional polishing.)
• Cleaning—Remove the connector from the
polishing tool and rinse both items with water
to remove any fine grit particles.
• Trim the Kevlar close to the crimp sleeve. Then
place the strain relief boot over the crimp
sleeve.
• Inspection—Until experience is gained, the
polished fiber should be inspected under a
50X or greater magnification.
• The fiber should possess a mirror-like finish
and be flush with the face of the connector.
The fiber should be free from most pits,
cracks, and scratches.
• Connector should also be cleaned with alcohol
or a lens cleaner.
COUPLERS AND NETWORKS
A coupler is a device that will divide light from one
fiber into several fibers or, conversely, will couple
light from several fibers in to one.
Important application areas for couplers are in networks,
especially local area networks (LANs), and
in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM).
Networks are composed of a transmission medium
that connects several nodes or stations. Each node
is a point at which electronic equipment is connected
onto the network. The network includes a
complex arrangement of software and hardware
that ensures compatibility not only of signals but
also of information.
Most important in a network is its logical topology.
The logical topology defines the physical and
logical arrangement. The most common logical
topologies are point-to-point, star, ring, or bus
structure. Refer to Figure 2-29 on the next page.
2-25