Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 11.11
Fiber-optic cable terminations, showing unterminated LC connector components, assembled
simplex and duplex connectors, and an LC adaptor.
ing in place of the epoxy. Both quick-termination and field-termination methods are
available for most of the new-style connectors, including the SC and SFF connectors.
An individual connector is designed either for quick or field termination, so
you must obtain the appropriate connector for your proposed application. You
should be aware that there might be a significant difference in the expected connec-
tor losses between the two termination methods.
For example, Avaya (formerly Lucent Technologies), one of the SFF manufac-
turers, offers a 0.2-dB loss expectation in their quick-termination LC connector, and
achieves half that (0.1 dB) with the field termination. So, field termination offers
better potential results, but may require more training, special equipment, and take
longer to install. This is not to say that an inexperienced installer cannot achieve
higher losses than the norms, so specific manufacturer training is quite appropriate.
A horizontal or backbone fiber run should be terminated in the same style of
connector at either end, unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise. In most
cases, fiber cabling runs should terminate in a patch field in the TR. The patch panel
to equipment cord is the appropriate place for a cable to adapt between different
connector types. For example, an SC equipment connector could easily be intercon-
nected to an SFF-connector patch panel with an appropriate adapter cord. Likewise,
the same type of transition could be made at the user cord.
