PROclick™ Fiber Connectors
Hubbell PROclick™ Fiber Connectors
Launch: June 2010
PROclick™ Fiber Connectors
Hubbell’s New PROclick™ Pre-Polished Fiber Connectors
 Competitively priced
 High quality
 Exceeds Telcordia GR-326 and TIA-568-C.3
 Co
Color
o coded to
o suppo
support a
all fiber
be types
ypes
• Beige - OM1 62.5/125 μm
• Black - OM2 50/125 μm
• Aqua - OM3, 50/125 μm 10 GbE
• Blue - Singlemode
• Green - Singlemode angle polish APC (SC only)
 Supports 10 GbE Network Applications
 Termination in less than 60 Seconds
PROclick™ Connector Concept
Pre-Polished Internal Splice Connector
 Pre-polished fiber segment with precision cleave
 Gel splice mating of two cleaved fibers
Index matching gel
Fiber Clamp
Precision cleave
Factory polished
end face
Ceramic Ferrule
Fiber segment
Splice element
Cleaved building fiber
The Concept of Fiber Cleaving
Cleaving is CRITICAL to achieve a good fiber splice
 Cleaving is a controlled crack propagation against the fiber grain
 Two
T basic
b i requirements
i
t for
f a successful
f l cleave:
l
• Micro defect from a scoring device to initiate fracture
• Controlled tensile stress applied to the fiber
Scoring device
Grain direction
Scored Fiber
Pull
Pull
Cleaved Fiber
Cleaved separation
The Concept of Fiber Cleaving
Cleaving vs. Breaking a Glass Fiber
 Cleaving is controlled crack propagation in a single plane
 Breaking
B ki th
the fib
fiber iis uncontrolled
t ll d ffragmentation
t ti iin allll di
directions
ti
Fib grain
Fiber
i direction
di ti
Cleaved fiber
Broken fiber
Field Cleaving Techniques
Cleaving with the OFCLV3 cleave tool:
 Use OFCLV3 for Multimode fibers only.
 Be sure the cleave tool is clean.
clean Strip and alcohol-wipe the fiber
fiber.
 Open the lever and insert the fiber to the 10 mm mark
 Gently depress the lever to score the fiber
 NOTE: Repeat if the fiber breaks during scoring or cleaving
 WARNING: Don’t insert a broken fiber into the connector
Field Cleaving Techniques
Cleaving with the OFCLV3 cleave tool:
 Apply tension to the fiber and gently bend the flexible tongue
 Cleave
Cl
separation
ti off the
th fib
fiber will
ill occur d
during
i th
the ““snap””
 TIP: For best cleave results, bend the tongue in a large radius
 CAUTION: Over-bending the tongue will damage the tool
CAUTION: Don’t wipe or
set down the cleaved
fiber, or contamination
will be p
picked up
p
PROclick™ Standard Cleave Length
All PROclick connectors use a standard 10 mm cleave length
 SC or LC connectors
 Any cable type
Indoor Cable
10 mm
900
Micron
Buffer
1.0 mm ((LC or SC Connector))
250 μm Buffer
Fanout
Tubing
Outdoor Cable
10 mm
NOTE: The 250 micron buffer
MUST protrude from the
fanout tubing
PROclick™ Connector Preparation
Seating the clamp wedge clip into the connector
 Squeeze firmly to seat the wedge clip into the connector
• This assures the fiber clamp is fully open
PROclick™ Connector Termination
Cleaved Fiber Insertion
 Insert the cleaved fiber and bottom out gently
 Grip the fiber approximately 60 mm away form the connector
 Form a slight bow to hold a light force on the fiber
60 mm
PROclick™ Connector Termination
CAUTION Statement on fiber insertion: [See Instructions]
“Gripping the fiber too close or applying excessive force may
cause the fiber to break, or result in damage to the glass fiber
inside the connector, possibly resulting in transmission failure. It
is the sole responsibility of the installer to exercise caution while
seating the cleaved fiber into the connector
connector.”
60 mm
PROclick™ OSP Cable Termination
Notes on OSP fiber prep and insertion: [See Instructions]
 Clamp the fanout tubing before fiber insertion with a suitable clamp
• This prevents fiber “push-back” into the fanout tube during insertion
• Do not allow the fiber to slip back up into the fanout tubing
 The cleaved fiber end must bottom out inside the connector first
Clamp
6 to 8”
Insertion Direction
Fanout
Tubing
NOTE: The 250 micron buffer MUST protrude
at least 1 mm from the fanout tubing
PROclick™ Connector Termination
Fiber Clamp Activation
 Flip the front latch open and firmly squeeze the sides of the wedge clip
• Hold the connector steady and maintain a gentle force on the fiber
• Don’t let the connector jump forward during this step
PROclick™ Connector Testing
Testing with a VFL for Proper Fiber Mating
 Connector a Visual Fault Locator (VFL) to check the termination
• Excessive light from the front slot indicates an optical coupling problem
• WARNING: Stop and solve the problem before proceeding
• Use the VFL until confidence in the termination yield is established
• Refer to Hubbell’s troubleshooting and diagnostic tips
Good Termination
Bad Termination
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Mechanical Splice Termination Failures
 Mechanical splice connector performance is sensitive to many factors
 Possible causes of fiber splice failures:
• Contamination
• Glass fragmentation inside the splice
• Bad cleave or broken fiber
• Excessive fiber gap
• Excessive cleave angle
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Hubbell Policy Regarding Connector Re-work
 Onlyy one fiber re-insertion is p
permitted,, during
g termination
 Multiple fiber insertions are not recommended
• Why?
 The indexing matching gel gets displaced out of the splice
 Gel spreads onto the fiber clamp surfaces, reducing fiber grip
Index matching gel between
fibers fills in the air gaps to
optimize
transmission
p
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: Contamination
 Contamination is carried into the splice gel on the cleaved fiber
 Embedded contamination cannot be “cleaned out”
• Not correctable by re-termination, and connector may be scrap
 Possible causes of splice contamination:
• Dirty cleave tool (clean surfaces thoroughly with alcohol wipes)
• Wiping the fiber after cleaving (never wipe the fiber after cleaving)
• Setting the connector or fiber down on a dusty surface
• Heavy airborne dust environment
• Glass fragments from inserting broken fibers, or applying excessive force
Poor
Transmission
Contamination embedded in the splice gel
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: Glass Fragmentation Inside the Splice
 Glass fragmentation is produced from applying excessive insertion force
• Worse case if a broken fiber is inserted
 Embedded glass fragments will cause fiber gaps and optical failure
• Cannot be cleaned out
• Connector is scrap
Poor
T
Transmission
i i
Glass fragments embedded in the splice gel
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: Bad Cleave or Broken Fiber
 Optical splice transmission is sensitive to cleave quality
 Cleave
Cl
quality
lit and
db
broken
k fib
fibers are diffi
difficult
lt tto iinspectt iin th
the fifield
ld
 Possible causes of bad cleaves or broken fiber during the cleaving process:
• Dull or chipped cleave tool blade – not scoring the fiber properly
g on the cleave tool – concentrating
g bend stress on the fiber
• Bent tongue
• Bending the fiber too much or too tight of a radius
• Applying no tension or insufficient tension to the fiber while cleaving
 NOTE: Bad cleaves can be repaired with one re-termination allowed
• As long
g as there are no g
glass fragments
g
embedded in the splice
p
Poor
Transmission
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: Excessive Fiber Gap
 Optical splice transmission is sensitive to gaps
 Cleaved
Cl
d fib
fibers iin th
the splice
li should
h ld mate
t flflush
h with
ith physical
h i l contact
t t
 Possible causes of excessive fiber gap:
• Fiber cleave length too short
g termination
• Fiber not fullyy inserted, or pulled back during
• Steady force not held on the fiber during termination
• Fiber push-back into the fan-out tubing when terminating outdoor cable
 NOTE: Excessive fiber gap can be corrected or repaired one time
Poor
Transmission
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: Excessive Cleave Angle
 Optical splice transmission is sensitive to cleave angle
 Cleave angle is difficult to inspect in the field
 Possible causes of cleave angle produced by the cleaving process:
• Bent tongue on the cleave tool – concentrating bend stress on the fiber
• Bending the fiber too much or too tight of a radius
• Applying no tension or insufficient tension to the fiber while cleaving
 NOTE: Cleave angles can be corrected by fine tuning with a VFL
Poor
Transmission
“Worst Case” cleave angle orientation
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Cleave Angle from “Score and Snap” Cleave Tools
 “Score and Snap” cleave tools produce a wider cleave angle variation
 Cleave angle is difficult to control in the field
 To minimize “Score and Snap” cleave angles:
• Apply firm tension on the fiber during cleaving
• Bend the fiber guide in the largest radius as possible
Score and Snap cleave angle
Typical Range: 1 to 3 degrees
PROclick™ Connector Troubleshooting
Cleave Angle from Precision Cleave Tools
 Precision cleave tools produce a narrow range of cleave angle variation
 Cleave angle is more controlled from not bending of the fiber
 Termination yield percentage is greatly improved with precision cleaving
Precision tool cleave angle
Typical Range: 0.5
0 5 to 1
1.0
0 degree
PROclick™ Connector Field VFL Tuning
Tuning a Cleave Angle Using a VFL
 A cleave angle can be “fine tuned” for optimum transmission
 This is accomplished by rotating the fiber while using a VFL
 Terminate the connector at the position of optimum transmission
Poor Transmission
VFL
Light diffraction from the splice
VFL
Optimum
Transmission
PROclick™ Fiber Connectors
Summary and Recommendations
 Mechanical splice connectors are sensitive to technique and operator skill
 The installer must be consistent with cleaving and termination
 Avoid scrap and lost labor dollars:
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations
• Always test as you go to stay in control and avoid re-work
• Build confidence in the termination process by testing frequently
• Use a VFL during termination to reduce risk of testing failures
• Keep precision fiber termination tools clean and protected
 It is the installer
installer’s
s responsibility to employ good working practices
• Consistent fiber cleaving and fiber insertion is critical for success
Hubbell PROclick™ Connectors…..The First Choice Among PRO’s