TABLE OF CONTENTS The ideal traveling environment for a pulse of light is an unbroken optical fiber. At some point, however, that fiber must connect to a piece of equipment or join another fiber in order to extend its length or change the type of fiber being used.
One of the most common methods for terminating a fiber, or making its end useful, is to use a connector. A connector is a device that protects the end of the fiber while allowing it to be quickly and reliably joined to equipment, patch panels, or other fibers. Connectors are often used to join two fibers together instead of splices because they allow the fibers to be disconnected and reconnected easily. Splices, on the other hand, are permanent connections between two fibers. Connectors can be useful when network assignments must be changed, when equipment must be removed from the link and replaced, or when expansion is anticipated.
This chapter describes several common connectors used in optical fiber termination. It describes the factors that affect connector performance and methods used to improve performance. The chapter also discusses methods used to install connectors so they meet performance standards.
The job of a fiber optic connector is to couple a fiber end mechanically to a piece of hardware or to another fiber so that the cores line up accurately and produce the smallest amount of loss. Inherent in this requirement is the need for the connector to protect the fiber from...
