INTERCONNECT: Tips

When you implement a cross-sectioning capability IN-HOUSE, this enables you to conduct routine audits and rapid failure analysis. Implementing a cross-sectioning capability in-house, in your own testing environment We can help you set up the equipment, then ...

Fiber Optic Center, Inc. (FOC), has stock on the shelf of SMA connectors in over 40 hole sizes from 127 to 2645 um, in volumes of as little as 10 to over 20,000 pieces, depending on design and hole size. On any given day, these can include: 144, 150, 172, 201, 205,...

Observations: There is a substantial gap between the end of the stripped buffer area to the point of breakage (just inside the internal chamfer of the ceramic ferrule). Also evident is the shrinkage of epoxy which is quite apparent against the chamfer. It ...

With APC ferrules, we have an angled surface that MUST be oriented in a specific location relative to the connector key (if not, then two angled connectors would never mate together when connected). Any rotational deviation from this angle-to-key orientation is known...

From Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning and Analysis observations from “Connector B” notes Observations:  This connector has (1) distinctive fiber fracture at the beginning of the ceramic internal chamfer (photo B.2). I did notice more than usual...

From Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning and Analysis observations from “Connector A” notes. Observations: This particular connector had multiple fractures inside ceramic ferrule (photo A.1-A.3) and a substantial length of fiber missing. See photos...

Laser cleaving shows also a significant process advantage for large-core fiber applications with SMA connectors terminated as the laser beam cuts thicker fibers which are more difficult to scribe.   Additional resources from the FOC team include: Category...

For high power connectivity, where epoxy-less free-standing SMA’s is used, most companies use supportive wax like CrystalBond in the SMA connector to prevent the fiber from breaking during polishing while it needs to be removed afterward which is a time-consuming...

There are solutions to ensure that clean fibers will provide clean connections. Very simply, in addition to using clean test cords and keeping them clean at all times, the step of cleaning connectors during the installation phase must become a mandatory part of the...

The first widely used connector in the data world, at least in North America, was the ST, sometimes called Snap and Twist. This connector dealt successfully with many of the limitations of the SMA. Ceramic ferrules could be molded and machined with the submicron...