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5
Step-by-Step Plastic Cable Connectoring Instructions
Thefollowingstep-by-stepguidedescribeshowtotermi-
nateplasticfiberopticcable.Itisidealforbothfieldand
factory installation. Connectors can be easily installed
oncableendswithwirestrippers,cuttersandacrimping
tool.
FinishingthecableisaccomplishedwiththeAvago
HFBR-4593PolishingKit,consistingofaPolishingFixture,
600gritabrasivepaperand3mpinklappingfilm(3M
Company,OC3-14).Theconnectorcanbeusedimmedi-
atelyafterpolishing.
Materialsneededforplasticfiberterminationare:
1.Avago Plastic Optical Fiber Cable (Example: HFBR-
RUS500, HFBR-RUD500, HFBR-EUS500, or HFBR-
EUD500)
2.IndustrialRazorBladeorWireCutters
3.16 Gauge Latching Wire Strippers (Example: Ideal
StripmasterTMtype45-092).
4.HFBR-4597CrimpingTool
5.HFBR-4593PolishingKit
6.Oneofthefollowingconnectors:
a) HFBR-4501/4503 Gray Simplex/Simplex Latching
ConnectorandHFBR-4525SimplexCrimpRing
b) HFBR-4511/4513 Blue Simplex/Simplex Latching
ConnectorandHFBR-4525SimplexCrimpRing
c)HFBR-4506Parchment(off-white)DuplexConnector
andHFBR-4526DuplexCrimpRing
d) HFBR-4516 Gray Latching Duplex Connector and
HFBR-4526DuplexCrimpRing
Step 1
Thezipcordstructureoftheduplexcablepermitseasy
separationofthechannels.Thechannelsshouldbesepa-
ratedaminimumof100mm(4in)toamaximumof150
mm (6 in) back from the ends to permit connectoring
andpolishing.
After cutting the cable to the desired length, strip off
approximately7mm(0.3in.)oftheouterjacketwiththe
16gaugewirestrippers.Excesswebbingontheduplex
cablemayhavetobetrimmedtoallowthesimplexor
simplexlatchingconnectortoslideoverthecable.
Whenusingtheduplexconnectorandduplexcable,the
separatedduplexcablemustbestrippedtoequallengths
oneachcable.Thisallowseasyandproperseatingofthe
cableintotheduplexconnector.
Step 2
Placethecrimpringandconnectorovertheendofthe
cable;thefibershouldprotrudeabout3mm(0.12in.)
throughtheendoftheconnector.Carefullypositionthe
ringsothatitisentirelyontheconnectorwiththerimof
thecrimpringflushwiththeconnector,leavingasmall
spacebetweenthecrimpringandtheflange.Thencrimp
theringinplacewiththecrimpingtool.Onecrimptoolis
usedforallPOFconnectorcrimpingrequirements.
For applications with extreme temperature operation
or frequent temperature cycling, improved connector
tocableattachmentcanbeachievedwiththeuseofan
RTV(GECompany,RTV-128orDowCorning3145-RTV)
adhesive.TheRTVisplacedintotheconnectorpriorto
insertionofthefiberandthefiberiscrimpednormally.
TheconnectorcanbepolishedaftertheRTVhascured
andisthenreadyforuse.
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.