Fiber Optic Termination

This section is intended to introduce the various methods which exist for the termination of fibre optic cables. At ACT, each technician is capable of the actual practical aspects of carrying out the termination using each of the different methods (such as Direct Termination and Fusion Splicing).

Fiber to fiber interconnection can consist of a splice (permanent connection) or a connector which differs from the splice in its ability to be disconnected and reconnected. Fiber optic connector types are as various as the applications for which they were developed. Different connector types have different characteristics, different advantages and disadvantages, and different performance parameters. But all connector have the same four basic components.

The Components

The Ferrule:

The fiber is mounted in a long, thin cylinder, the ferrule, which acts as a fibre alignment mechanism. The ferrule is bored through the centre at a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the fibre cladding. The end of the fiber is located at the end of the ferrule. Ferrules are typically made of metal or ceramic, but they may also be constructed of plastic.

The Connector Body:

Also called the connector housing, the connector body holds the ferrule. It is usually constructed of metal or plastic and includes one or more assembled pieces which hold the fibre in place. The details of these connector body assemblies vary among connectors, but bonding and/or crimping is commonly used to attach strength members and cable jackets to the connector body. The ferrule extends past the connector body to slip into the coupling device.

The Cable:

The cable is attached to the connector body. It acts as the point of entry for the fibre. Typically, a strain-relief boot is added over the junction between the cable and the connector body, providing extra strength to the junction.

The Coupling Device:

Most fibre optic connectors do not use the male-female configuration common to electronic connectors. Instead, a coupling device such as an alignment sleeve is used to mate the connectors. Similar devices may be installed in fibre optic transmitters and receivers to allow these devices to be mated via a connector. These devices are also known as feed-through bulkhead adapters.