News & Information

Fiber Optic News and Information A Basic Fiber Optic Presentation in PowerPoint An Overview of Fiber to the Home for Developers Critical Steps for 1 and 2-fiber UniCam® Connectors SRP-006-083 Issue 6 Fiber Optic Cable Types, Choosing the right cable Fiber Optic Specifications, Multimode & Singlemode Installation Instructions for 1 and 2-Fiber UniCam Connectors SP-006-150 Issue 4 Splicing and Fiber Assembly Compatibility for Non-Zero Dispersion-Shifted Fiber and Standard Single-Mode Fiber What cables can use UniCam Connector? See the chart entitled UniCam Connector Cable Compatibility Answers To Common FAQ Questions... I have a high-loss link; how do I determine which end is bad? Troubleshooting high-loss UniCam Connector links can be done with an OTDR or with a VFL and a patch cord. Using the VFL and patch cord, remove the UniCam Connector from the adapter and slide the boot down the cable to expose the cam. Now attach the VFL and patch cord to the UniCam Connector observing the brightness of the cam. Replace the brightest UniCam Connector in the link and then retest. If using an OTDR refer to the operation instructions of the device. How do I know if my FBC-001 Cleaver is bad? Or my FBC-012? Can I change the blade? What is the life? The best way in the field to determine if a cleaver has gone bad is to change cleavers and compare the results of terminations with the new and old cleaver. The cleaver blade life is different for the FBC-001 and FBC-012. The FBC-001 is designed to be a disposable cleaver. The blade should last 1,000 cleaves and be replaced with a new cleaver. The FBC-012 is designed to last 24,000 cleaves per blade (12 positions per blade). After the 24,000 cleaves the blade is replaceable in the field. What can I do to improve insertion loss? Cleave quality and proper fiber insertion are keys to success. The Elite Tool Kit is the best means to improve insertion loss. The Elite Tool Kit includes the CTS System, a VFL-350 visual fault locator and the FBC-012 high-precision cleaver. When using the Continuity Test Set (CTS), I cant get my light to go out; what does "significantly dim" mean? CTS is a guide to help an installer determine when the field fiber has contacted the factory fiber. "Significantly dim" is an apparent change in the CTS brightness when the connector is cammed. A "dark" or "dim" termination is not an indication of the performance loss. Refer to section 2.2 in SRP-006-150 for further instructions. Is a UniCam Connector appropriate for 1 Gig E, 10 Gig E, video and OC-192? LC, SC, ST Compatible, MTP and MT-RJ laser-optimized multimode UniCam Connectors meet or exceed the optical performance standards for 1 Gig E, 10 Gig E and Fibre Channel. Single-Mode UPC polished SC, ST Compatible and LC connectors have been tested to high data-rate OC-192 standards. For digital video, where reflectance is required to be near UPC (-55 dB) levels, the UniCam Connector is appropriate and has a successful track record. For analog video and CATV environments where an angled polish (-65 dB) is the requirement, a UniCam Connector is not appropriate as it is not available with an APC polish. Corning Cable Systems recommends fusion spliced pigtails for APC applications (depending on the installation environment). Can I use UniCam Connectors in outdoor cabinets? UniCam Connectors meet or exceed the requirements of TIA/EIA 568.B, which includes operation from 0° to 60°C. Corning Cable Systems does not recommend the use of UniCam Connectors on loose tube cable, even with a fan-out kit, in an uncontrolled temperature environment that exceeds the temperature range specified in TIA/EIA 568.B. Do I need to clean my UniCam Connector end-face? Corning Cable Systems recommends cleaning all connectors prior to testing or insertion into an adapter. The UniCam Connector is manufactured in a clean room environment with the strictest care taken to keep the connector end-face clean. However, once the connector leaves the factory, Corning has no bearing on the connector cleanliness and therefore, recommends that it be cleaned prior to testing.