Optical fiber connectors 'polish off' severe environments

摘要

In the realm of optical fiber connectivity, the installer or network provider has a seemingly unlimited number of connector designs to choose from. Throughout the evolution of the optical fiber connector, installers have pushed for less complex and quicker installation methods. The no-epoxy, no-polish (NENP) connector has led the way. Connectors of this type are generally called "crimp-on" or "quick-mount" connectors. As the name suggests, NENP connectors do not require epoxy to bond the fiber to the connector. In addition, they do not require polishing of the fiber during installation. Typical installation time for the NENP connector is about 1 minute versus 5 to 20 minutes for typical epoxy-and-polish connectors. For this reason, labor cost can be significantly reduced by using NENP connectors. Additionally, cost for epoxy and polishing films are eliminated.