TM
Fiber Optic Connectors
and Cable Assemblies
Thomas & Betts, Aster Products offers a complete line of superior singlemode and
multimode fiberoptic connectors and cable assemblies. The product line for
connectors includes: SC, FC, ST
®
, Biconic and SMA connectors. Examples of the
extensive line of cable assemblies available incude: pigtails, hybrids, duplex, service
drop, multi-fiber breakout and ribbon.
Our singlemode and multimode connector’s zirconia ferrules are pre-radiused, pro-
viding a positive contact end face with superior optical performance. The final polish
obtained on the selected fiber optic connector will depend upon the optical perfor-
mance required by your system.
Thomas & Betts, Aster Products offers a choice of singlemode SC, FC, ST
®
and
Biconic field installable connectors that can be installed on 900µm buffered fiber up
to 3.0mm cable. These connectors can be provided as state-of-the-art cable assem-
blies or pigtails that provide the optical and mechanical characteristics required by
Bellcore. Key connector parameters to look for in a singlemode cable assembly are:
low insertion back-reflection, apex off-set and fiber height. Thomas & Betts, Aster
Products has the latest optical test equipment to insure these parameters are met.
The cable assemblies supplied are intermatable with other EIA/TIA 604 industry
standard connectors and adapters.
Thomas & Betts, Aster Products’ multicode connector choices are ST
®
, SC, FC,
Biconic and SMA and are available as field installable connectors, factory supplied
cable assemblies or pigtails.
Termination kits are available to support all field installable connectors.
The high-precision alignment sleeves used in Thomas & Betts, Aster Products’
fiber optic connector adapters provide optimum optical performance and are
designed to meet or exceed the recognized industry standards.
Thomas & Betts is a leading supplier of fiber optic components and fiber
management systems that are designed to support the growing demands of the
telecommunications industry.
Applications
• Communications
• Telephony
• CATV
• High Speed Digital Systems
• Data Transport
Cable Assembly Features
• Conform to Bellcore requirements GR-000326-CORE, Issue II
• Low back reflections for singlemode assemblies
• Superior optical performance
• Floating ferrules on the SM and MM SC and FC II connectors
• Environmentally stable
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1
TM
Fiber Optic Connectors
and Cable Assemblies
Specifications
SC connectors have a non-optical disconnect (pull-proof) floating ferrule designed
to be used in a push-pull housing. The SC cable assemblies are available with either
a SPC (< -45 dB back reflection), UPC polish (< -55 dB back reflection) or an APC
polish (< -65 dB back reflection).
FC connectors feature a fixed key design that achieves optimum transmission per-
formance upon initial insertion. The bulkhead adapter is available with either a 2.16mm
(.085 inch) key slot for use with a <-55dB back-reflection connectors or a 2.05mm
(.081 inch) key slot used with a FC/APC connector to achieve <-65dB back reflec-
tion. The FC is available in either a non-optical disconnect (FCII) or a non-pull proof
(FCI) design.
ST
®
connectors are a keyed bayonet-latching style design with a locking
mechanism to guarantee consistent alignment. The ST
®
nut is a closed ramp “J” hook.
Biconic connectors are intermateable with industry standard devices. The field
installable SM and MM connectors have a smaller cavity design providing a fiber
guide for easy-to-assemble termination with less internal fiber breakage during
assembly.
Connector Material Specifications
Cable Assembly/
Pigtails
SM Ferrule
Hole I.D.
Concentricity
MM Ferrule
Hole I.D.
Concentricity
Hardware/
Body
Hardware/
Coupling
Tensile strength
on 3.0mm (min.)
Boot Color
<-45dB
<-55dB
<-65dB (APC)
Multimode
SC
Zirconia Ceramic
125
µm
<1
µm
Zirconia Ceramic
126
µm
<3
µm
Brass Nickel Plate
PBT
Plastic
20 lbs. force
FC 2
Zirconia Ceramic
125
µm
<1
µm
Zirconia Ceramic
126
µm
<3
µm
N:Ag Alloy
N:Ag Alloy
20 lbs. force
ST
Zirconia Ceramic
126
µm
<1
µm
Zirconia Ceramic
128
µm
<4
µm
Zinc Nickel Plate
Zinc Nickel Plate
20 lbs. force
Biconic
Glass Epoxy
127
µm
<2
µm
Glass Epoxy
or Arcap (Alloy)
127
µm
<4
µm
PES
PES
20 lbs. force
SMA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Arcap (Alloy)
128
µm
<2
µm
Brass Nickel Plate
Brass Nickel Plate
20 lbs. force
White
Blue
Green
Black
White
Blue
Green
Black
White
Blue
Green
Black
Yellow
N/A
N/A
Black
N/A
N/A
N/A
Black
Cable assemblies and pigtails can be supplied with 900
µm
buffered fiber up to 3.0mm Kevlar reinforced cable (tensile strength on 3.0mm cable
is 20 lbs. force minimum.
ST
®
is a registered trademark of AT&T
2
Telecom 1-800-685-9452
TM
Fiber Optic Connectors
and Cable Assemblies
Connector Material/Optical Specifications
Connectors
Singlemode
Insertion Loss
Back Reflection (PC)
Back Reflection (APC)
SC
<0.3dB
<-50dB
<-65dB
<0.2dB
FC 2
<0.3dB
<-50dB
<-65dB
<0.2dB
-40˚ to +85˚ C
ST
<0.3dB
<-50dB
N/A
<0.5dB
Biconic
<0.7dB
N/A
N/A
<0.8dB
SMA
N/A
N/A
N/A
<0.7dB
Multimode
Insertion Loss
Operating Temp.
Mating Durability
200 total, clean 25
(change)
≤0.2dB
≤0.2dB
≤0.2dB
≤0.2dB
≤0.4dB
All values for insertion loss and back reflection are typical.
Material/Adapter Specifications
Adapters
Singlemode
Sleeve
Mounting
Application
Multimode
Sleeve
Bushing Mounting
Type
SC
Zirconia Split
Ceramic
Bulkhead or
Panel
PC or APC
Phospher Bronze
Bulkhead or Panel
Rectangular
Simplex or
Duplex
PBT
Yes
FC 2
Zirconia Split
Ceramic
Bulkhead or
Panel
PC or APC
Zirconia Ceramic
Bulkhead or Panel
Square Flange
Single “D” Hole
or Double “D”
Stainless Steel
Yes
ST
Zirconia Split
Ceramic
Bulkhead or
Panel
PC
Phosphor Bronze
Bulkhead or Panel
“D” Hole
Biconic
Glass Filled Epoxy
Bulkhead or
Panel
Flat
Glass Filled Epoxy
Bulkhead or Panel
Round Hole
SMA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Brass Nickel Plate
Bulkhead or Panel
“D” Hole
Body
Dust Cap
Zinc Nickel
Yes
PES
Yes
Zinc Nickel
Plate
Yes
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TM
Fiber Optic Connectors
and Cable Assemblies
Cable Assembly Model Numbers/Ordering Information
FJ #X X # X # X # X ###
Cable Assembly
Designation
Fiber and Cable Type
1B = 900µm Hard PVC Tight Buffer
1C = 3mm Hard PVC OFNR Riser
1E = 900µm Soft PVC Tight Buffer
1F = 3mm PVC OFNR Riser Soft
2A = 4x7mm Oval Hard PVC OFNR Riser
(3mm breakout)
2B = 3mm Zip Hard PVC OFNR Riser
Length
000 through 999 for length in whole
meters or feet. “A” in third place to
indicate 1/2 meter lengths (“07A” -
7.5). Sequential alpha characters
used for custom cables
Units
M = Length in Meters
F = Length in Feet
Second End Polish
X = No second end (pigtail)
Otherwise coded per first end list
Fiber Type
A = Corning SMF-28
B = M/M 50/125
µm
C = M/M 62.5/125
µm
Second End Connector
X = No second end (pigtail)
Otherwise coded per first end list
First End Polish
1 = APC (<-65dB)
2 = UPC (<-55dB)
3 = PC
Breakout Length
X = No breakout, single fiber
1 = 12 inch
2 = 24 inch
First End Connector
B = FC II
D = ST
E = SC Simplex
G = SC Duplex
4
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