Advantages | Disadvantages | Termination Methods | Direct Termination
Fusion Splicing | Fibre Optic Testing

Direct Termination

There are a number of methods which may be used to terminate a fibre into a connector. The following are among those that we can carry out:

Epoxy and Polish

Description The fibre is glued into the ferrule using a heat curing epoxy, excess fibre is scribed off and then the remaining fibre and any epoxy is polished off to leave a mirror finish.

Application Multimode and Singlemode

Benefits Well established and proven technique Provides good performance and long term reliability

Drawbacks Lengthy termination cycle Fairly high skill level required Power required for curing oven

Lightcrimp TM

Description TA ‘Crimp, Cleave & Polish’ connector launched in the UK by AMP in 1992. They eliminate the use of conventional epoxy and only require one grade of polishing film. The connectors have pre-loaded ‘dry’ adhesive and excess fibre is cleaved off close to the end face using a special tool, so only minimal polishing is required.

Application Anywhere quick terminations are required and performance is no too critical.

Benefits Quick termination.No curing oven and hence power required for tooling.High tolerance, precise ferrule.

Drawbacks Possible lower yield Special crimp tool and cleaving tool required. Fairly expensive connector, since a good quality ceramic ferrule is incorporated

Lightcrimp TM Plus

Description Further development of the standard Lightcrimp. They are fitted with a pre- polished ferrule which removes the polishing operation, thus reducing termination time even further.

‘Hot-melt’

Description A product originally launched in the UK by 3M in 1992. Utilises a special type of epoxy pre-loaded into the connector. The epoxy needs to be softened by heating before the fibre can be inserted.

Application Datacomms

Benefits Quick termination time, no epoxy to mess around with

Drawbacks Special curing oven and tooling required Prepared fibre has to be inserted into hot connector

Anaerobic Adhesives

Description Relies on the bonding between two different chemicals to secure the fibre i n the ferrule. One chemical (adhesive) is pre-loaded into the connector, the other (activator) is applied to the fibre which is then entered into the ferrule and bonding takes place.

Application Datacomms

Benefits Faster fitting time with no need for lengthy curing process. Provides good performance and long term reliability

Drawbacks Lengthy termination cycle Fairly high skill level required Power required for curing oven

Advantages | Disadvantages | Termination Methods | Direct Termination | Fusion Splicing | Fibre Optic Testing