OPTICAL FIBER

CONNECTORS

An optical fiber connector terminates the end of an

optical fiber.
Enables quicker connection and disconnection than
splicing.
The connectors mechanically couple and align the
cores of fibers so light can pass.
Better connectors lose very little light due to reflection
or misalignment of the fibers.

REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD CONNECTORS:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Coupling loss: Low coupling loss(0.1 to 0.2 dB).

Interchangeability
Ease of assembly
Low environmental sensitivity.
Low cost and reliable construction
Ease of connection.

TYPES OF FIBER CONNECTORS:

FC Connectors( Ferrule connector)
SC Connectors( Square connector)
MIC Connector
ST Connectors (Straight tip)

FERRULE CONNECTOR:

It is a threaded body, which was designed for use in

high-vibration environments.
It is commonly used with both single-mode and multi
mode optical fiber.
It is used in datacom, telecommunications,
measurement equipment, and single-mode lasers.
There is a metal,ceramic or molded plastic ferrule for
each fiber and a sleeve into which fiber fit.

The fiber is epoxied into hole drilled into the ferrule.

Two types: Straight sleeve and Tapered sleeve

EXPANDED BEAM CONNECTOR:

Expanded Beam uses a lens in front of the fiber.

The lens expands the size of the beam from 9 um
to 285 um for SM.

The lenses collimate the light emerging from

transmitting fiber and focuses on receiving fiber.

The fiber to lens distance is equal to the focal length.

Lense are Antireflection coated microlenses.

Connectors are less dependent on

alignment.

lateral

Optical

processing elements beam splitters and

switches can be easily inserted.

Matching fluid is used in the gap to avoid

Fresnel reflection loss.
If there is angular misalignment then loss
will be more for index matching fluid fibers.

SPLICING TECHNIQUES
OF OPTICAL FIBER CABLE

JOINING AND TERMINATION OF OFC:

There ae two methods for joining ofc.

Splicing
Connectors

SPLICING:
1. To join two fibers due to a breakage.
2.
3.

4.

To extend a cable run.

To reduce losses, a fusion splice has much lower losses
than two connectorized cables joined through a coupler.
Or to attach a pre-terminated pigtail.

TYPES OF SPLICING:

Fusion splice
V-groove splice
Elastic tube splice
Rotary splice
Mechanical tube splice

SAFETY MEASURES:

Safety glasses MUST be worn at all times during

the fiber optic lab exercises or anytime termination or
splicing work.
Be very careful when disposing of fiber ends. Use a
Fiber Disposal Unit =FDU.
Black paper or other dark colored paper or fabric can
be used to make the fiber more visible when working
with it.

When doing fiber work epoxy, anaerobic adhesive

(?), and isopropyl alcohol will be used.
Do not touch bare fibers with fingers. The oil
from your skin can weaken the fiber over time. It
tends to make the glass fiber brittle.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

BASIC STEPS:
There are four basic steps to fusion splicing
1 - Strip back all coatings down to the bare fibers
and clean using isopropyl alcohol.
2 - Cleave the fibers using a precision cleaving
tool and put the heat shrink tube on to one of
the ends.
3 - Fuse the fibers together in the fusion splicer.
4 - Put the heat shrink protector on the fiber
joint.

STRIPPING:

CLEAVING:
Basically the operation consists of putting the fiber into
the groove and clamping, then close the lid and press
the lever

FUSION PROCESS:
First the two fibers are aligned, you can see this on
the photo where a much magnified image shows the
two fiber ends.
The display also shows how well the cleaver does its
job of producing a perfect 90 degree cut.

Once the fibers are aligned the splicer fires an

electric arc between the two ends which melts
them immediately and pushes them together, or
fuses them into one piece of fiber.

SCREEN DISPLAY:

The fusion splicer then tests for dB loss and

tensile strength before giving the "OK" beeps for
you to remove the splice from the machine.

PROTECTION:

The protective tube gives physical protection to

the splice and further protection is provided by
placing the splice into a splice tray.

THANK YOU