2
Termination Guide
Step-by-Step Plastic Cable
Connectoring Instructions
The following step-by-step guide
describes how to terminate plastic
fiber optic cable. It is ideal for
both field and factory installa-
tions. Connectors can be easily
installed on cable ends with
standard tools such as wire
strippers and cutters.
Finishing the cable is accom-
plished with the Hewlett-Packard
HFBR-4593 Polishing Kit,
consisting of a polishing fixture,
600 grid abrasive paper and 3 µm
pink lapping film (3M Company,
OC3-14). The connector can be
used immediately after polishing.
The following materials are
needed for plastic fiber
termination:
1. Plastic optical fiber cable
(Example: HFBR-RUD500)
2. Wire cutters or scissors
3. 16 gauge wire stripper
(Example: Ideal Stripmaster
type 45-092)
4. HFBR-4593 polishing kit
(optional)
5. Crimpless connectors
Step 1: Stripping the Fiber
The zip cord structure of the
duplex cable permits easy
separation of the channels. The
channels should be separated a
minimum of 100 mm (4 in) to a
maximum of 150 mm (6 in) back
from the ends to permit connec-
toring, polishing and cable end
flexibility.
After cutting the cable to the
desired length, strip off
approximately 7 mm (0.3 in) of
the outer jacket with the 16
gauge wire strippers.
When using the duplex connector
arrangement, the separated
duplex cable should be stripped
to roughly equal lengths on each
cable end.
For the non-latching version
(HFBR-4531), the same
connector is used for simplex and
duplex arrangement. No crimping
is necessary. The top half of the
connector will snap into the
ferrule half to secure the fiber.
Step 2: Putting on the
Connector
Place the connector on each end
of the fiber, and slide the
connector down until the fiber
jacket stops it. The fiber should
protrude no less than 1.5 mm
(0.06 in) from the end of the
connector.
To install simplex connectors flip
the top half of the connector over
and snap it into the ferrule half
(with your fingers). When the top
half latches inside the body of the
ferrule half, proper connector-to-
cable attachment is achieved.
For duplex connector installation
place one connector on top of the
other, so that the top half of each
connector is over the ferrule half
of the opposite connector.
Manually press connectors
together in the center of the
arrangement. Then latch by
pressing on the sides of each
connector. As with the simplex
version, connectors are secured
when top halves latch into the
ferrule halves.
Step 3: Trimming and
Polishing
Any fiber in excess of 1.5 mm
(0.06 in) protruding from the
connector end should be cut off
with wire cutters or scissors.
Insert the connector fully into the
polishing fixture with the
trimmed fiber protruding from
the bottom of the fixture. This
plastic polishing fixture can be
used to polish two simplex
connectors simultaneously or one
duplex connector.