Month: August 2013

Fiber Connector And Adapter Panel For Optical Links Together

Fiber optic connector is used for the connection of optical fibers or fiber optic cables. The Fiber Optic Connector provide a mechanical connection for the two fiber cables and align both cores precisely.

There have been over 100 connectors developed over the years, but a select few have stood the test of time and beat out their competition. Fiber Optic Connectors according to the different transmission media can be divided into common silicon-based optical fiber single-mode and multimode connectors, as well as other issues such as plastic and as the transmission medium of optical fiber connector; connector structure can be divided into: FC SC, ST, LC, D4, DIN, MU, the MT and so on in various forms, but SC and LC connectors are the most common types of connectors on the market. ST connector is the most popular connector for multimode networks. Different connectors are required for multimode and single-mode fibers.

In addition to connectors that tie two fiber-optic lines together, there are also Adaptor Panels (or fiber adapter plates) that can be used to connect multiple fiber-optic lineself. It enables you to make quick and easy fiber patch panel connections as they can snap into the enclosures easily. In a device such as this, connections can be made between any of the lines plugged into the panel. Though a single adapter panel can usually only hold a dozen or so cables, the panels can also be spliced together, allowing hundreds or thousands of connections to be made.

Specify optical fiber adapter plates for ST-, FC-, SC-, MT-RJ- or LC-type connections. Adapter plates are compatible with all wall and rack mount optical fiber enclosures and available in 6 simplex and duplex, 8 simplex and duplex and 6 quad configurations with fiber counts of up to 24 per adapter plate. They mount easily by means of plunger locks (“pushpins”). ST, FC, SC and LC connec-tor plates can be equipped with 62.5-μm and 50-μm adapters suitable for multimode applications or a sisingle modenly version is available with adapters outfitted with zirconia ceramic sleeves. Our SC and LC 10G multimode laser optimized adapter uses zirconia ceramic sleeves.

Series Features

Available in 6-, 8-, and 12-port fiber configurations,
Panel options available include ST, SC, LC and others,
High density applications can be reached through Dual and Quad LC applications,
Composite, Metal, or Ceramic sleeve options available,
Blank panels are available for use as dust covers,
Plates are available for mounting Bezel style jacks creating a mixed media environment.

In order to customize wall mount or rack mount fiber optic enclosures, FiberStore offers a wide selection of panels with various Optical Adapter including ST, SC, MTRJ and LC. All modular adapter panels are assembled with industry standard adapters. FiberStore fiber adapter panels/plates can come with various fiber adapters, such as LC/SC/ST/FC/MT-RJ, E-2000 fiber optic adapters, compatible with simplex or duplex and meet TIA/EIA-568-B.3 requirements. Our adapter plates include phosphor bronze or zirconia ceramic split sleeves to fit specific network requirements. LC and SC adapter housing colors follow the TIA/EIA-568-C.3 suggested color identification scheme. Multimedia modular panels allow customization of installation for applications requiring integration of fiber optic and copper cables. Blank fiber adapter panels reserve fiber adapter panel space for future use.

How To Install Twisted Pair Cable Connectors

Currently, twisted-pair Ethernet Cabling is most ubiquitous, particularly UTP cabling, for For LAN and telephone installations. The main method to put connectors on twisted-pair cables is crimping. You use a tool called a crimper to push the metal contacts inside the connector onto the individual conductors in the cable, thus making the connection.
Firstly, we should know the types of twisted-pair cable connectors
Two main types of connectors/plugs are used for connectorizing twisted-pair cable in voice and data communications installations: the RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors. Figure1 shows examples of RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors for Twisted Pair Cable. Notice that these connectors are basically the same, except the RJ-45 accommodates more conductors and thus is slightly larger. Also note that the RJ-11 type connector shown in Figure1, while having six positions, is only configured with two metal contacts instead of six. This is a common cost-saving practice on RJ-11 type plugs when only two conductor contacts will be needed for a telephone application. Conversely, you rarely see an RJ-45 connector with less than all eight of its positions configured with contacts.

Figure1
RJ-11 connectors, because of their small form factor and simplicity, were historically used in both business and residential telephone applications, and they remain in widespread use in homes. RJ-45 connectors, on the other hand, because of the number of conductors they support (eight total), are used primarily in LAN applications. Current recommendations are to install RJ-45 jacks for telephone applications because those jacks support both RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors.

Both types of connectors are made of plastic with metal “fingers” inside them (as you can see in Figure 1). These fingers are pushed down into the individual conductors in a twisted-pair cable during the crimping process. Once these fingers are crimped and make contact with the conductors in the twisted-pair cable, they are the contact points between the conductors and the pins inside the RJ-11 or RJ-45 jack.

Two versions RJ connectors are stranded-conductor and solid conductors
>>Stranded-conductor twisted-pair cables
Stranded-conductor twisted-pair cables are made up of many tiny hairlike strands of copper twisted together into a larger conductor. These conductors have more surface area to make contact with but are more difficult to crimp because they change shape easily. Because of their difficulty to connectorize, they are usually used as patch cables.
>>solid-conductor cables
Most UTP cable installed in the walls and ceilings between patch panels and wall plates is solid-conductor cable. Although they are not normally used as patch cables, solid-conductor cables are easiest to connectorize, so many people make their own patch cords out of solidconductor

Tools for Connector Crimping

The first tool you’re going to need is a Fiber Stripper, as shown in Figure 2. It will only cut through the outer jacket of the cable, not through the conductors inside. Many different kinds of cable strippers exist, but the most common are the small, plastic ones that easily fit into a shirt pocket. They are cheap to produce and purchase.
 
Figure2
Another tool you’re going to need when installing connectors on UTP or STP cable is a cable connector crimper. Many different styles of Network Cable Crimping Tool can crimp connectors on UTP or STP cables. Figure3 shows an example of a crimper that can crimp both RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors.
Notice the two holes for the different connectors and the cutting bar.

Figure3

The last tool you’re going to use is a cable tester. This device tests for a continuous signal from the source connector to the destination and also tests the quality of that connection

Installing the Connector
Now we’ll go over the steps for installing the connectors. Pay particular attention to the order of these steps(shown in Figure 4)and be sure to follow them exactly.
Equipment from some manufacturers may require you to perform Warnin g slightly different steps. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before installing any connector.
Figure4
Check

Check to ensure all conductors are making contact and that all pins have been crimped into their respective conductors. If the connector didn’t crimp properly, cut off the connector and redo it.

Telephone Modular Jack Wiki

Modular connector, electrical connectors originally used in telephone wiring, now is used for many other purposes. Probably the most well known applications of modular connectors are for Phone Jacks and for Ethernet jacks in Ethernet Cabling, both of which are nearly always modular connectors.

Modular connectors also called Telephone Modular Jack, RJ connector (RJ stands for Registered Jack- a physical connector interface most often used for telephone wire terminals), and Western jack/plug. The term “modular connector” arose from its original use in a novel system of cabling designed to make telephone equipment more modular. This includes the 4P4C handset connector which is sometimes called an “RJ9″ or an “RJ22″ — but such RJ specifications are absent in the current FCC documents. 8P8C modular connector type is often called RJ45 plug, and RJ45 plugs are also used with different signals, such as for Ethernet over twisted pair. RJ11 is the most familiar of the registered jacks, due to the fact that virtually all single line telephone jacks in most homes and offices use this connector type.

Modular jacks are defined as “male” or “female”, depending on if they will be inserted or if a component will be inserted into them. Male connectors are called plugs, while female connectors are called jacks or sometimes sockets. Plugs are used to terminate loose cables and cords, while jacks are used for fixed locations on surfaces such as walls, panels and on equipment. Phone jacks and plugs have very similar packaging even though the functions that they perform are not similar at all. Modular jacks come in a wide range of different types from modular connectors and plugs, phone jacks, computer and Ethernet jacks, to Internet connections and electronic components.

Another very common type of modular jack is that of the telephone or Ethernet jack. This small unit is connected to a telephone cord which then transmits a telephone analog signal from a special phone outlet placed on a wall, desk or cubicle to the actual phone unit. If the telephone jack becomes loose or is removed from the telephone outlet for any reason, the signal is lost and phone calls cannot be made. Telephone jacks are generally small square plastic attachments which contain tiny wires inside as well as a release tab.

A third type of modular jack belongs to the personal computer that can be connected to a local or worldwide network, such as the Internet. While older desktop computers or those connecting to an internal network can connect via a telephone jack sending a signal down telephone lines facilitated by the use of a dialing modem, many computers use cable or digital signals to connect to the Internet. In some cases, the signal can also be sent wirelessly through a router, which is connected to this modular jack with a special cable.

Modular jacks are in wide use in many buildings around the globe due to their ease of use. They are an inexpensive alternative to direct wiring of electronic devices. In many buildings, the most common form of modular jack is the electrical connection, cord, or plug. Outlets which provide electricity to electrical-powered devices connect them via a wire or cord that hooks together in a special modular ending, such as a set of metal prongs found on the average electrical cord. Once the prongs are inserted correctly into the associated outlet, electrical power is transferred from the outlet to the device and it is ready for use. The modular jack must correspond with the outlet in order for this power exchange to take place.

What is The Fiber Identifier

The Fiber Identifier acts as the fiber optic installer or technician’s infrared eyes. By placing a slight macrobend in an optical fiber or fiber-optic cable, it can detect infrared light traveling through the optical fiber and determine the direction of light travel. Some fiber identifiers can also detect test pulses from an infrared (800–1700nm) light source.
The fiber identifier typically contains two photodiodes that are used to detect the infrared light. The photodiodes are mounted so that they will be on opposite ends of the macrobend of the optical fiber or fiber-optic cable being tested. The electronics in the fiber identifier measure the detected light energy and display the direction of light travel through the optical fiber.

The optical fiber identifier is used very much like the Fiber Locator (VFL) when it comes to troubleshooting. But there are two difference: One key difference is that the fiber identifier replaces your eyes. Another difference is that fiber optic cable under test typically does not have to be disconnected from an active circuit – it can remain plugged into the transmitter and receiver.The fiber identifier can typically be used with coated optical fiber, tight-buffered optical fiber, a single optical fiber cable, or a ribbon cable. Each of these must be placed in the center of the photodiodes during testing. Selecting the correct attachment for the optical fiber or optical-fiber cable type under test typically does this.


Figure 1 shows Fiber identifier optical fiber and fiber-optic cable attachments

The fiber identifier can also be used with external light source. Often the external light source is an Fiber OTDR. Many OTDR manufacturers build or program in a pulsed output function. When set for a pulsed output, the OTDR emits a continuous pulse train at a predetermined frequency. The electronics in the fiber identifier can detect preset frequencies and illuminate the corresponding LED. This feature can be very helpful when you are trying to identify an unmarked tight-buffered optical fiber within a bundle of tight-buffered optical fibers. This feature can also be helpful when you are trying to approximate the location of a break in the optical fiber.
The fiber identifier can be used with the OTDR to narrow down the location of a break in an optical fiber when a VFL is not available or when the light from the VFL is not visible through the jacket of the fiber optic cable. If the index of refraction is correct, the OTDR should provide an accurate distance to the fault. The OTDR measures the length of optical fiber to the fault, not the length of fiber optic cable. The cable length may be shorter than the optical fiber length.

Once you have found the approximate location of the fault with the OTDR, set the OTDR or infrared light source to pulse at a predetermined frequency. Clamp the fibr identifier on the faulted fiber optic cable several meters before the approximate location of the fault. Check the fiber identifier for the predetermined frequency. If the fiber identifier does not detect the predetermined frequency, move the fiber identifier several meters closer to the OTDR or infrared light source and recheck for the predetermined pulse. If you have choosen the correct fiber optic cable test to the fault of the distance with you, you should be testing a predetermined frequency. If you still don’t test frequency, carefully check everything, and test again. If you still do not detect the predetermined frequency, there may not be enough optical energy for the fiber identifier to function properly.


Figure 2 shows optical fiber identifier

If you are able to detect the predetermined frequency, move the fiber identifier down the fiber optic cable away from the OTDR or infrared light source in one meter increments. Continue to do this until the fiber identifier no longer detects the predetermined pulse. You now know within one meter where the break in the optical fiber is located. At this point, you may want to disconnect the OTDR or infrared light source and connect the visible fault locator. The visible fault locator may illuminate the exact location of the fault. If the visible fault locator does not illuminate and conditions permit, darken the area around the fault. This may allow you to see the illuminated fault.

Essential Fiber Tools To Your Tool Bag

Here’s a list of fiber optic tools are essential to your tool bag when performing network admin duties.

Network Cable Crimper

Cable crimp tool is a tool designed to crimp or connect a connector to the end of a cable. For example, network cables and phone cables are created using a Network Cable Crimping Tool to connect the RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectors to the end of the cable. It can bend, cut, strip and crimp insulated

Wiring in a snap. For cable and phone installation specialists, a handy crimp tool can cut and strip electrical wiring in a few seconds. Most crimpers will be able to terminate both RJ-45 (8P8C) and RJ-11 styles of modular plug and may also feature a built-in wire cutter. Some ratchet and some don’t. When shopping mind:

Thick steel construction which extends for the entire length of both handles;
Several pounds of pull between the handles; a weak spring makes for a flimsy feel;
The “teeth” should be mounted on a floating hinge to ensure that pressure is applied evenly across all pins when crimping;
Should not rattle when shaken.

Cable Stripper

The fiber Fiber Stripper plays an important role in fiber optic cable splicing process. While you can make due with a cable cutter like knife or the scissors, a cable jacket stripper reduces crimping time and leaves a nice clean cut with a lower likelihood of nicking the inner wires. Only with a properly strip of the fiber cable jacket can make an undamaged exposed fiber which is also a must for successful splicing of two optical fibers. What to look for when shopping:

Sharp blade;
Ability to spin easily around a cable with one finger.

Punch Down Tool

Punch Down Tool, also called punchdown tool or Krone punch down tool, is a small hand tool used by telecommunication and network technicians. Most punch down tools are of the impact type, consisting of a handle, an internal spring mechanism, and a removable slotted blade. Impact tools or punch down tools are used to terminate individual wires on patch panels or 110/66 blocks. What to look for:

Adjustable spring tension;
Should include at least a 110-type blade (needed for Cat 5 patch panels).

Fiber Cable Slitter

Among all the types of fiber optic tools, the Cable Slitter is an efficient and indispensable tool for fiber optic cable termination, it is usually designed allows jacket or shield slitting on non-fiber optic configurations as well. They are always using for splicing wire, cutting harness ties, insulation materials, medium gauge wires and electrical tape or stripping fiber cable jacket. There are round cable slitters, armored cable slitters, longitudinal cable slitters and more cable slitter kits available. What to look for when shopping:

Blade Rotates 90º for Mid-Span Cutting;
Adjustable Blade Depths.

Cable Tester

Network Cable Tester is always being used to test LAN Datacom and Telecom cables. Network Cable Line Tester can find all problems associated with testing such faults as opens, shorts, cable integrity and it also find cable length of individual cables or distance to a fault, and its powerful and user-friendly features enable network installers to accurately check pin configurations of various voice and data communication cables.

If you’ve ever shopped for a LAN Cable Tester, you know that there are various types available. The one piece of gear in your tool kit you should absolutely not scrimp on is the cable tester. What to look for when shopping:

A reputable brand name;
Detachable termination component for remote wire mapping;
Tone generation capability;
Link speed detection;
Power over Ethernet detection.

Suggestions for modifications or additions are welcome, you may be need other cost-effective tools. The fiber optic tools mentioned above all you can have a wide selection at FiberStore Technology, especially it provides large discounts for a large quantity.