VDV Works Virtual Hands-On Training - Fiber Termination

VDV Works Virtual Hands-On Training

Fiber Optic Termination

Anaerobic Adhesive Connectors

BACK Using Quick Curing Anaerobic Adhesive

You will need:

Anaerobic Adhesive (Loctite(R) 648)

Alco Pads

Wipes

Contents

Step 1 - Getting Ready

Step 2 - Examine Connector Construction

Step 3 - Stripping the Cable

Step 4 - Epoxy

Step 5 - Applying the Connector to the Fiber

Step 6 - Scribe and Polish

Step 7 - Visual Inspection - Microscope

Step 8 - Test the Connector

Step 9 - The Quiz

Quick curing adhesives can great or very difficult. Some work too fast for the novice who often finds the fiber stuck halfway into the connector. They also are more difficult to get a good hard bead on the end of the ferrule, making them harder to cleave and polish. However, once you master them, they can provide the same low loss as epoxy connectors.

Just remember that these adhesives may not have the same wide temperature range as expoxies - they should not be used where extremes of temperture are encountered!

After you master the epoxy connectors, try our anaerobic solution which solves most of these problems!

Preparing The Fiber
Prepare the cable and strip the fiber exactly like you would for an epoxy connector (Step 3 ). Clean the fiber carefully with an Alco Pad.

Applying the Adhesive
There are several ways that are used to apply quick curing adhesives. We'll review the methods and comment on them.
1. Inject the adhesive into the connector with a syringe, dip the fiber in an accellerator solution then insert the fiber in the connector. With this method, you must work fast and make sure the fiber is inserted rapidly or the adhesive will set before the fiber is fully inserted.
2. Inject the adhesive into the connector with a syringe then insert the fiber in the connector. Spray an accellerator on the tip of the ferrule to make the adhesive cure at the end quickly to allow immediate polishing. After spraying the tip, residue will be left on the connector ferrule that must be cleaned. Most accellerators are hightly flammable, requiring care.

The adhesive we recommend (Loctite(R) 648) is an adhesive that will cure in 3-5 minutes without an accellerator, depending on the ambient temperature. If you are making more than one termination, you do not need an accellerator at all. This process will be described without using the accellerator and then the use of the accellerator will be described.
Applying adhesive
Apply the adhesive to the fiber directly. Hold the adhesive bottle upside down and a small drop will develop on the end of the applicator end. Wipe this along the fiber from the buffer coating almost to the end of the fiber. Small drops will appear along the fiber.
Inserting the fiber
Insert the fiber into the connector. Since the curing time of the adhesive is not too short, you do not have to rush this step. Crimp the connector to the cable if using a 3 mm jacket cable.
Set the connector aside for 3-5 minutes to allow the ahesive to cure. By the time you make a second connector, it will be cured.
Ready to crimp
If you want to cure the adhesive instantly, insert the fiber into the connector, then wipe the protruding fiber with the accellerator solution using the built-in brush in the cap. Pull the fiber slightly back into the connector, then push fully back in. The adhesive will set in 30 seconds. Then Crimp the connector.

Scribing and Cleaving the Fiber

This is a more critical process than with epoxy connectors, since there is no bead of epoxy to suppor the fiber.
Carefully scribe the fiber just above the surface of the ferrule. Be very gentle or you can break the fiber.
Lay the scribe aside, and grasp the glass. Carefully pull up and away from the scribe. The glass should break cleanly at the scribe point, but there will be a little bit left at the tip and it may be sharp! Discard the glass fiber fragment in the fiber disposal bin!

Air Polish First

The first step of the polishing process is to air polish the end of the ferrule very carefully with 12 micron film. Start with virtually NO PRESSURE since the fiber is not supported - it's just sticking out of the ferrule. Slightly more pressure can be applied as you progress. Polish about 40-50 quick strokes.
First polish
Next polish on the 3 micorn film. Polish on a soft rubber pad, not a hard surface! We supply a special film with both 3 and 0.3 micron finishes on one film. Start with the dark color film. Insert the connector in the polishing bushing and GENTLY lay it on the film, one side first then lay it on the film. Using virtually NO PRESSURE, make 8-10 figure 8s. You will feel drag from the fiber end lessen as you polish. Gently add more pressure (only a few ounces!) and polish another 6 or so 8s.
Final polish
Finish polishing on the 0.3 micron film with about 6-10 figure 8s.
You're finished!

Inspect the connector in the microscope (Step 7). You may see more "hackle" or roughness around the edges, but the center should be smooth and scratch free.

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BACK	Using Quick Curing Anaerobic Adhesive
You will need: Anaerobic Adhesive (Loctite(R) 648) Alco Pads Wipes Contents Step 1 - Getting Ready Step 2 - Examine Connector Construction Step 3 - Stripping the Cable Step 4 - Epoxy Step 5 - Applying the Connector to the Fiber Step 6 - Scribe and Polish Step 7 - Visual Inspection - Microscope Step 8 - Test the Connector Step 9 - The Quiz	Quick curing adhesives can great or very difficult. Some work too fast for the novice who often finds the fiber stuck halfway into the connector. They also are more difficult to get a good hard bead on the end of the ferrule, making them harder to cleave and polish. However, once you master them, they can provide the same low loss as epoxy connectors. Just remember that these adhesives may not have the same wide temperature range as expoxies - they should not be used where extremes of temperture are encountered! After you master the epoxy connectors, try our anaerobic solution which solves most of these problems!
	Preparing The Fiber Prepare the cable and strip the fiber exactly like you would for an epoxy connector (Step 3 ). Clean the fiber carefully with an Alco Pad. Applying the Adhesive There are several ways that are used to apply quick curing adhesives. We'll review the methods and comment on them. 1. Inject the adhesive into the connector with a syringe, dip the fiber in an accellerator solution then insert the fiber in the connector. With this method, you must work fast and make sure the fiber is inserted rapidly or the adhesive will set before the fiber is fully inserted. 2. Inject the adhesive into the connector with a syringe then insert the fiber in the connector. Spray an accellerator on the tip of the ferrule to make the adhesive cure at the end quickly to allow immediate polishing. After spraying the tip, residue will be left on the connector ferrule that must be cleaned. Most accellerators are hightly flammable, requiring care. The adhesive we recommend (Loctite(R) 648) is an adhesive that will cure in 3-5 minutes without an accellerator, depending on the ambient temperature. If you are making more than one termination, you do not need an accellerator at all. This process will be described without using the accellerator and then the use of the accellerator will be described. Apply the adhesive to the fiber directly. Hold the adhesive bottle upside down and a small drop will develop on the end of the applicator end. Wipe this along the fiber from the buffer coating almost to the end of the fiber. Small drops will appear along the fiber. Insert the fiber into the connector. Since the curing time of the adhesive is not too short, you do not have to rush this step. Crimp the connector to the cable if using a 3 mm jacket cable. Set the connector aside for 3-5 minutes to allow the ahesive to cure. By the time you make a second connector, it will be cured. If you want to cure the adhesive instantly, insert the fiber into the connector, then wipe the protruding fiber with the accellerator solution using the built-in brush in the cap. Pull the fiber slightly back into the connector, then push fully back in. The adhesive will set in 30 seconds. Then Crimp the connector. Scribing and Cleaving the Fiber This is a more critical process than with epoxy connectors, since there is no bead of epoxy to suppor the fiber. Carefully scribe the fiber just above the surface of the ferrule. Be very gentle or you can break the fiber. Lay the scribe aside, and grasp the glass. Carefully pull up and away from the scribe. The glass should break cleanly at the scribe point, but there will be a little bit left at the tip and it may be sharp! Discard the glass fiber fragment in the fiber disposal bin! Air Polish First The first step of the polishing process is to air polish the end of the ferrule very carefully with 12 micron film. Start with virtually NO PRESSURE since the fiber is not supported - it's just sticking out of the ferrule. Slightly more pressure can be applied as you progress. Polish about 40-50 quick strokes. Next polish on the 3 micorn film. Polish on a soft rubber pad, not a hard surface! We supply a special film with both 3 and 0.3 micron finishes on one film. Start with the dark color film. Insert the connector in the polishing bushing and GENTLY lay it on the film, one side first then lay it on the film. Using virtually NO PRESSURE, make 8-10 figure 8s. You will feel drag from the fiber end lessen as you polish. Gently add more pressure (only a few ounces!) and polish another 6 or so 8s. Finish polishing on the 0.3 micron film with about 6-10 figure 8s. You're finished!
	Inspect the connector in the microscope (Step 7). You may see more "hackle" or roughness around the edges, but the center should be smooth and scratch free.
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