5

Step-by-Step Plastic Cable Connectoring Instructions

The following step-by-step guide describes how to termi-

nate plastic fiber optic cable. It is ideal for both field and

factory installation. Connectors can be easily installed

on cable ends with wire strippers, cutters and a crimping

tool.

Finishing the cable is accomplished with the Broadcom

AFBR-4594ZPolishingKit,consistingofaPolishingFixture,

600 grit abrasive paper and 3 µm pink lapping film (3M

Company, OC3-14). The connector can be used immedi-

ately after polishing.

Materials needed for plastic fiber termination are:

1. Broadcom Plastic Optical Fiber Cable (Example: HFBR-

RUS500Z, HFBR-RUD500Z, HFBR-EUS500Z, or HFBR-

EUD500Z)

2. Industrial Razor Blade or Wire Cutters

3. 16 Gauge Latching Wire Strippers (Example: Ideal

4. HFBR-4597Z Crimping Tool

5. AFBR-4594Z Polishing Kit

6. One of the following connectors:

a) HFBR-4501Z/4503Z Gray Simplex/Simplex Latching

Connector and HFBR-4525Z Simplex Crimp Ring

b) HFBR-4511Z/4513Z Blue Simplex/Simplex Latching

Connector and HFBR-4525Z Simplex Crimp Ring

c)HFBR-4506ZParchment(off-white)DuplexConnector

and HFBR-4526Z Duplex Crimp Ring

d) HFBR-4516Z Gray Latching Duplex Connector and

HFBR-4526Z Duplex Crimp Ring

Step 1

The zip cord structure of the duplex cable permits easy

separation of the channels.The channels should be sepa-

rated a minimum of 100 mm (4 in) to a maximum of 150

mm (6 in) back from the ends to permit connectoring

and polishing.

After cutting the cable to the desired length, strip off

approximately 7 mm (0.3 in.) of the outer jacket with the

16 gauge wire strippers. Excess webbing on the duplex

cable may have to be trimmed to allow the simplex or

simplex latching connector to slide over the cable.

When using the duplex connector and duplex cable, the

separated duplex cable must be stripped to equal lengths

on each cable. This allows easy and proper seating of the

cable into the duplex connector.

Step 2

Place the crimp ring and connector over the end of the

cable; the fiber should protrude about 3 mm (0.12 in.)

through the end of the connector. Carefully position the

ring so that it is entirely on the connector with the rim of

the crimp ring flush with the connector, leaving a small

space between the crimp ring and the flange.Then crimp

the ring in place with the crimping tool. One crimp tool is

used for all POF connector crimping requirements.

For applications with extreme temperature operation

or frequent temperature cycling, improved connector

to cable attachment can be achieved with the use of an

RTV (GE Company, RTV-128 or Dow Corning 3145-RTV)

adhesive. The RTV is placed into the connector prior to

insertion of the fiber and the fiber is crimped normally.

The connector can be polished after the RTV has cured

and is then ready for use.

Note: By convention, place the gray connector on the trans­

mittercableendandtheblueconnectoronthereceivercable

end to maintain color coding (different color connectors are

mechanically identical).

Simplex connector crimp rings cannot be used with duplex

connectors and duplex connector crimp rings cannot be

used with simplex connectors because of size differences.

The simplex crimp has a dull luster appearance; the duplex

ring is glossy and has a thinner wall.