Connector & Adapter – Page 4

Importance of Reestablishing Fiber Connections Effectively

by http://www.fiber-mart.comFiber Optic cables offer a business many benefits for safe, fast installations with higher bandwidth frequencies. Fiber optic cables provide extreme pull tensions up to 600 lbs and a bend radius equal to coax cables. If loss of fiber does occur it can result in disrupted communications and negative effects to local businesses. Review the steps below in order to repair any tainted connections quickly and effectively. Making a plan of how to respond to any cable failure is a great idea. Have questions answered ahead of time such as: Do we have the proper equipment if a loss occurs? Who will have proper training and materials to fix the issue? How will we know if the issue occurs? How quickly do we want to be able to resolve any issues? Important Factors to Restoring a proper connection effectively 1) Documentation- Producing accurate documentation during the installation process and making updates is critical. Start with manufacturer data/tech sheets, review every component and contact for quick restoration. Example: Having a record of how the fibers were installed as well as photos/drawings to quickly locate where the problem lies. 2) Proper Testing Equipment- To troubleshoot any connection start at the receiver and measure the optical power of the cable. If power levels are showing correctly the transmitter is properly working and the fiber within the cable has not be tainted. However, if the power is bad then there could be an error within the transmitter. If all fibers are at total failure then the cable has either been broken, split or cut in some way. To determine this use a laser light beam to show visibly where the cable has been damaged. Once the issue is located remove at least 10 m from either side of the cable break and test the remaining length for damage. Prep the cable and splice the fibers together to restore critical service as a short-term fix and have the system shut down at a later date to permanently fix the damaged cables. 3) Repair- Fixing the damaged cable requires proper tools and trained technicians. Tooling will include splicing and termination. Generally, cut cables can be spliced or reinstalled if there is an excessive cable that was kept from the initial install. To make sure your fibers are installed correctly, review our complete field fiber kit to ensure proper installation. West Penn Wire’s Complete Field Kit Includes: Field Clever VFL Visual Fault Locator with Adapter cords (FI-4283) Fiber Stripper (FI-3151) Support Handle with Adapters (FI-4289) Tweezers Scissors Safety Glasses Waste Bottle Installation Guide Refurbishing materials

How to choose the right Fiber Optic Connector?

by http://www.fiber-mart.comWhen selecting the right fiber optic connector to use for any job or installation there are a few key features to make note of. Not doing the proper preparation cable make the customer go from satisfied to unsatisfied pretty quickly. So what are some keys factors to look at when selecting the right connector for a fiber optic installation? What is the equipment or panel that the fiber optic cables are connecting to?Match the class size to the appropriate connector glass type1.OM1 to a beige color OM1 connector2.OM2 50 micron black connector or aqua3.OM3/4 50 micron aqua or maroon connector4.OS2 single-mode blue connector The termination Method: Mechanical, Epoxy Style (Termination Technique) 1.Mechanical – termination of a connector can take less than 2 minutes. The disadvantages are the overall pull tension, but the connector can be reused.2.Epoxy Style Termination: This termination technique requires a lot of time and expertise, The advantages are the connector cost, but labor time is extensive. The pull tension is increased significantly over a mechanical technique, but the connector can not be reused. Termination Time When deciding on a connector for an installation, selecting the right connector for the application depends on durability, performance and cost. Certain fiber optic installations are designed to save overall install time, such as pre-terminated, which we have discussed in previous blog posts. Below are some common connector types as well as which applications they are primarily used for. Note, 90% of the market installations consist of ST, SC and LC connector types. ST or Straight Tip- Used mostly in security applications (CCTV) because of the design is similar to a BNC coaxial connector 1.Loss- .5-1dB per connectionSC or Square or Subscriber- Used mostly in data applications because of the design is similar to an RJ45 modular plug. 2.Loss- .5-1dB per connectionLC or Lucent or Little- Most Popular style of connector and used mostly in data applications because of the design is similar to a RJ45 modular plug 3.Loss- .5-1dB per connection

Seven Tips for the Cable Installation

Cable installation can be a finicky thing. People without appropriate knowledge and training can not be capable of running cables, otherwise they will end up with network failure. End users might have the experience of running telephone cables, so that they want to take the risk of wiring network cables. In fact, telephone cables can tolerate quite a lot of errors, but that is not the case of the data cabling as it is quite sensitive to cable errors. Therefore, to avoid potential network error and reduce your risks of costly mistakes, here are several things you should know before the cable installation.

Using Cable Management

The first thing you should bear in your mind is that the cabling work won’t stop with the initial installation. More cables and optical devices will be added. Thus to make sure that you label appropriate cables, color-code cables, or implement some other kind of process to make it easier to identify cables later on. What’s more, adding ladder rack, rack-based cable management makes ongoing maintenance much, much easier. The following image can easily illustrate the importance of fiber cable management.

beforeafter cable mangaement

Running Cable in Parallel With Electrical Cables

Data cabling used UTP (unshielded twisted pairs) to achieve its goals. The magnetic field generated by the low voltage running through the cable is a critical component of the communications chain. When you run this unshielded cabling in parallel with electrical cables, that magnetic field is disrupted and the communication becomes noisy and garbled. In many cases, transmissions will simply not make it from Point A to Point B. In other cases, transmission rates will slow to a crawl as communications are constantly retried. If you have to go near electrical power lines, cross them in perpendicular instead. From a personal experience, a newly installed coaxial cable can be easily out of work if they are twisted around the overhead electrical cabling that ran between the two buildings.

Minding Distance Limitations of Your Cabling

It is known that the typical distance limitations for UTP cabling with up to 1 Gbps is 100 meters. However, if you’re running cabling for some other purposes, such as 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps, be mindful of the distance limitations associated with the type of cabling you intend to use. For example, if you intend to run 10 Gbps for up to 100 meters over twisted pair cabling, you need to use Category 6A or better cabling. Or if you are running 10 Gbqs for up to 10 km, you need to use 10GBASE-LR SFP+with patch cord LC-LC.

Planning for Future Proofing

Maybe your network only provision 100 Mbps network connections to the desktop for now, even though the 1G Ethernet has become a ubiquitous standard. But suppose you are going to move to a new location and you need to install new cabling. Are you going to go with yesterday’s best cabling technology or are you going to install something that will meet today’s needs and your needs for the next few years?

Remember, the labor is the most expensive part of your project. While top-of-the-line cable won’t be the least expensive option, you should consider reasonably high-end cable for your installation. Maybe you don’t go with the absolute best, after all, many organizations won’t need 10 Gbps to the desktop for quite some time but don’t go for cheap, either.

Following the Cabling Standards

Many users might have the fallacy that there are only eight individual wires inside a cabling jacket, so why not terminate them at random as long as you use the same scheme at both ends? Of course, that is the bad ideas.

wiring standard

The cabling standard known as EAI/TIA-568-A and B are existed for a reason. This standard defines how the cables are twisted and placed in the jacket. If you deviate from those standards, you risk introducing noise and inefficiency into your cable plant that can have a negative impact on overall network performance. The following image shows UTP Cable Termination Standards EIA/TIA 568A and EIA/TIA 568B, and the only difference is that the green and orange pairs are terminated to different pins.

Testing the Cabling Results to Ensure Cabling System Properly Functioned

Once the cabling is installed, you should test every cable using appropriate tools to make sure that it will be suitable for its intended use. Fiber optic testing of newly installed systems not only verifies that the system meets its design requirements, but also creates a performance baseline for all future testing and troubleshooting of that system to support the evaluation of warranty claims. The following image shows a Visual fault locator (VFL), designed with a visible laser and universal adapter like FC, SC and ST etc., which can help user easily locate faults on the fiber link.

vfl cable tester

This testing typically includes verifying length and cable specifications matched to needs. If you need 1 Gbps transmission speeds, verify that the cable’s properties will support that need. This testing result will ensure that the data necessary to properly evaluate any future system malfunctions will be available.

Ensure a Quality Installation With Quality Fiber Optics

The amount of information carried in two strands of optical fiber would require a copper cable four inches in diameter. When considering the space constraints, required bandwidth, and long distance transmission needs in today’s applications, fiber optic products are the only viable choice. Easy installation and upgrades allow you to meet future growth needs and install spare fiber today for a more economical choice than installing additional cables later. fiber-mart.COM gives you quality products for all your fiber optic needs to reduce your risk of network failure.

Choosing Fiber Optic Connectors for Your Application

Optical Loss – A Critical Consideration

Whether a fiber optic connector must interface with a simple transmitter or the latest ROADM multiplexer, the connector interface is of critical importance because of its unique loss characteristics. To illustrate this point, consider the difference between connectors for fiber optic cable vs. copper cable.

Power loss for both types of connectors are stated in decibels (dB). That’s about where the similarity ends, because copper connectors and fiber optic connectors have opposite loss characteristics.

Copper connectors produce negligible loss when compared to losses produced by the copper twisted-pair cable to which they are attached. With fiber, the exact opposite is true. In a typical fiber optic system, fiber optic connectors produce far more loss than that produced by the fiber optic cabling. That’s why careful connector selection, particularly in regard to a connector’s loss specifications, is so crucial.

Other considerations that affect connector loss involve how the connector is joined to the field fiber, and how meticulously fiber optic connectors are cleaned and inspected prior to coupling.

Narrowing the Field

There are nearly 100 styles of fiber optic connectors, so choosing the right one for a particular application might seem daunting. However, this connector guide simplifies the selection process by focusing on the most useful and popular connector styles currently available.

In many cases, the types of connectors that you must use are dictated to you, especially if you are upgrading a legacy system. In that case, you may have to use the same type of connectors that are already in place in order to accommodate existing equipment and cabling. Even so, it’s a good idea to know the loss characteristics and other attributes of the connectors that you are working with. For example, a connector’s “insertion loss” specification relates to optical loss that results from differences in concentricity, ferrule endface geometry or other irregularities. Knowing the connector’s insertion loss specification can be useful when testing.

In some cases, such as a new install, connectors may or may not be specified. If connectors are not specified, you will likely be presented with a loss budget for cabling and connectors that you must adhere to. In this case, you have to give some serious thought to selecting the best connectors for the job. You also have to take into account the connector termination method (e.g. fusion splicing, epoxy, or mechanical termination) because this can have a significant impact on optical loss and back reflection characteristics.

Choosing The Right Connector

The following are considerations for choosing fiber optic connectors for your application.

Talk Like a Pirate….ARRG!

ARRG stands for Alignment, Ruggedness, Repeatability and Geometry. When choosing connectors, this memory aid will help you recall desirable connector qualities. The following attributes apply to most connector styles.

Alignment – A quality connector will keep fiber properly aligned with the fiber to which it is mated. Proper alignment is especially critical for single mode fibers which have a very small fiber core through which signals are transmitted. Always buy quality connectors and mating sleeves from recognized manufacturers to ensure that connectors are manufactured to high tolerances and provide optimal alignment.

Ruggedness – Will connectors be installed in high-traffic areas? If so, a good choice are epoxy-style connectors, which have the fiber bonded to the ferrule. This resists optical disconnects caused by tugging, temperature changes and other external forces. As added protection, consider a spring-loaded “non-optical disconnect” connector, such as the SC connector or LC connector, which are specifically designed to prevent optical disconnects. For harsh outdoor environments, “hardened” connectors are available.

Repeatability – Will there be a number of occasions when your connector will be disconnected? If so, consider using a connector that is known for good “repeatability.” The term repeatability refers to the performance of any class of connectors that are known to provide consistent loss performance that varies by a relatively narrow margin. Such connectors are typically keyed, or contain a keyway feature that prevents ferrule endface rotation. Keyed connectors ensure that connectors that are uncoupled from one another maintain the same ferrule endface orientation when they are recoupled, resulting in connector losses that are predictable, consistent and “repeatable”.

Geometry – The shape of the connector ferrule endface has a major affect on interface loss. For example, UPC connectors have ferrules that have a domed endface surface to insure contact at the core of two mated fibers, which helps to reduce insertion loss. Other connectors have an angled ferrule endface (APC connectors) which helps to minimize back reflection by directing endface reflections away from the core of the fiber. Knowing how ferrule endface geometry affects loss is important when selecting connectors, especially if you plan to polish your own connectors. Polishing procedures vary for different endface geometries.

Now that you know the general qualities you are looking for, it’s time to choose a specific connector for your application. The following approach uses a simple 3-step process of elimination.

Step 1. Weed Out Connectors that Can’t Meet the Loss Budget – Loss budgets will usually have connectors and cabling losses broken out separately from the rest of the network. Except for very long fiber links, losses for fiber optic cabling are usually negligible, so you’ll want to focus most of your attention on choosing the right connectors. Begin by narrowing down your possible connector choices to those that can stay within the loss budget of your application. For each connector being considered, simply multiply the number of connectors required by the dB loss specified for that type of connector. Now add fiber-optic cable loss to that number. If you are still within loss budget, great. You can proceed to Step 2.***

***It is possible to be within the loss budget but still have connections that produce unacceptable levels of back reflection. An Optical Return Loss (ORL) Test Set can be used to measure the level of back reflection. Also, an OTDR is useful for identifying the location of high-ORL events such as defective splices and connectors so that corrective action can be taken.

Step 2. Consider Installation Time, Material Costs, and Skills Required – After narrowing your list down in Step 1, it’s time to consider the costs associated with each type of connector, including installation skills required. Will you have to put your best installers on the job?

Step 3. Your Own Preferences – After completing Steps 1 and 2, let’s say that you have narrowed your connector list down to two possibilities. Now you can use your own personal preference to make the final decision. Simply choose the connector with which you are most comfortable and proficient. This will increase your speed and productivity on the jobsite and help to ensure quality terminations.

Tip: When trying new connectors and termination procedures for the first time, do enough of them in the shop to become proficient. Experimenting in the field is never a good idea.

How to clean a fiber optic connector?

Do you know how important is to maintain a fiber connector clean? In fact, having a clean eviroment for the connector is one of the most important procedures in the conservation of a fiber optic system. This is necessary to keep quality connections.

If any particle of dust, lint, oil or any other dirt get on the end of the connector, this will interrupt the correct function of the signal that is being sent over the fiber.

An improper maintenance of the cables can also cause other problems such as scratching the glass surface, instability in the laser system, and a misalignment between the fiber cores.

So, the questions is: What to do to clean my fiber optic? Simple:

Before beginning all the process, make sure the cable is disconnected from both ends and turn off any laser sources. Don’t forget to wear safety glasses and check the connectors before you clean them.

Step 1: Inspect the fiber optic connector, component, or bulkhead with a fiberscope.

Step 2: If the connector is dirty, clean it with a dry cleaning technique. This procedure consists of using a reel-based cassette cleaner with medium pressure, wipe the connector end face against a dry cleaning cloth in one direction. This step must be done in both parts of the fibre optic and can be repeated at least two times.

Step 3: If the connector is still dirty, clean it with a wet cleaning technique followed immediately with a dry cleaning in order to ensure no residue is left on the end face. You can use a special solution for fibre optic or 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Wipe the end face against the wet area and then onto a dry area to clean potential residue from the end face.

Wet cleaning is more aggressive than dry cleaning, and will remove airborne contamination as well as light oil residue and films.

Similar to the dry cleaning method, this one, can be done twice if you consider that the fiber optic isn’t clear yet.

IMPORTANT: The end face of the connector should never be touched during the cleaning process and also the clean area of a tissue should not be touched or reused.

The fiber end should be inspected with a fiberscope of at least 200x magnification, and if it is contaminated, it should be cleaned with one of the methods explained before.

DO’s and DON’Ts when it comes to cleaning a Fiber Optic:

DO’s:

Turn off any laser sources before you inspect fiber connectors, optical components, or bulkheads.

Make sure that the cable is disconnected at both ends and the card or pluggable receiver is removed from the chassis.

Wear the appropriate safety glasses when required in your area. Be sure that any laser safety glasses meet federal and state regulations and are matched to the lasers used within your environment.

Inspect the connectors or adapters before you clean.

Use the connector housing to plug or unplug a fiber.

Keep a protective cap on unplugged fiber connectors.

Store unused protective caps in a resealable container in order to prevent the possibility of the transfer of dust to the fiber. Locate the containers near the connectors for easy access

Discard used tissues and swabs properly.

DON’TS:

Use alcohol or wet cleaning without a way to ensure that it does not leave residue on the end face. It can cause damage to the equipment.

Look into a fiber while the system lasers are on.

Clean bulkheads or receptacle devices without a way to inspect them.

Touch products without being properly grounded.

Use unfiltered handheld magnifiers or focusing optics to inspect fiber connectors.

Connect a fiber to a fiberscope while the system lasers are on

Twist or pull forcefully on the fiber cable.

Reuse any tissue, swab, or cleaning cassette reel.

Touch clean area of a tissue, swab, or cleaning fabric.

Touch any portion of a tissue or swab where alcohol was applied.

Touch the dispensing tip of an alcohol bottle.

Use alcohol around an open flame or spark; alcohol is very flammable.

How do Optical Attenuators work?

The power reduction is done by such means as absorption, reflection, diffusion, scattering, reflection, diffraction, and dispersion, etc.

Optical attenuators usually work by absorbing the light, like sunglasses absorb extra light energy.

They typically have a working wavelength range in which they absorb all light energy equally.

They should not reflect the light or scatter the light in an air gap since that could cause unwanted back reflection in the fiber system. Another type of attenuator utilizes a length of the high-loss optical fiber, that operates upon its input optical signal power level in such a way that its output signal power level is less than the input level.

Optical Attenuator Performance:

Amount of attenuation and insertion loss: insertion loss and the attenuation amount of the optical attenuator is an important indicator of the amount of attenuation of the optical attenuator indicator to actually insertion loss, and attenuation amount of the variable attenuator addition, there are separate indicators insertion loss, high quality can be variable attenuator insertion loss 1.0dB or less, in general, common variable attenuator of the index is less than 2.5dB can be used. When the actual selection adjustable attenuator insertion loss as low as possible.

Optical attenuator accuracy: attenuation accuracy is an important indicator of the optical attenuator.

Typically mechanical type variable optical attenuator for attenuation accuracy of ± 0.1 times that amount. Its size depends on the degree of processing of precision mechanical components. High attenuation accuracy fixed optical attenuator. Typically the higher the attenuation accuracy, the higher the price.

Return loss: an important indicator of the impact of system performance in optical device parameters return loss.

The retroreflective optical network system effects are well known. Optical attenuator Return loss is the light energy incident on the optical attenuator and the attenuator light energy incident along the road reflecting ratio.

For now, you can understand how fiber optics attenuators work, and you also are aware of the importance of them for your fiber infrastructure. That’s why Beyondtech has them available at our several distribution locations for 24 hours shipping and they were carefully tested each one of them for your reliability and for a complete solution-oriented approach.

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