Fast Connectors

Fast Connectors

Fibre optic connectors/Adpators

There are many occasions when it is necessary to connect a fibre optic cable to another item. It may be that the fibre optic cable needs to be connected to another cable, or to an electronic interface device where the optical signal is converted to an electrical signal or to a light source. It is necessary that the fibre optic cable is correctly interfaced so that the minimum amount of light is lost. To achieve this it is necessary to use the correct form of fibre optic connector. In these cases fibre optic connectors are required.

While fibre optic connectors offer a very convenient method of connecting fibre optic cables, they should only be used where necessary. They introduce a loss at each connection. Typically the value is between 10 and 20 percent. Against this they make reconfiguring systems very much easier.

Applications of Fiber Patch Cords and Pigtails

Connector basics
The fibre optic connector basically consists of a rigid cylindrical barrel surrounded by a sleeve. The barrel provides the mechanical means by which the connector is held in place wit the mating half. A variety of methods are used to ensure the connector is held in place, ranging from screw fit, to latch arrangements. The main requirement si that the end of the fibre optic cable is held accurately in place so that the maximum light transfer occurs.
As it is imperative that the optical fibre is held securely and accurately in place, connectors will normally be designed so that the fibre is glued in place, and in addition to this strain relief is also provided

Fibre ends may also be polished. For single mode fibre, the ends may be polished with a slight convex curvature so that the centres of the cables from the two connectors achieve physical contact. This approach reduces the back reflections, although the level of loss may be slightly higher.