HFBR-RXXYYYZ Series (POF)
HFBR-EXXYYYZ Series (POF)
Plastic Optical Fiber Cable and Accessories
for Versatile Link
Data Sheet
Cable Description
The HFBR-R/EXXYYYZ series of plastic fiber optic
cables are constructed of a single step-index fiber
sheathed in a black polyethylene jacket. The duplex
fiber consists of two simplex fibers joined with a
zipcord web.
Standard attenuation and extra low loss POF cables
are identical except for attenuation specifications.
Polyethylene jackets on all plastic fiber cables comply
with UL VW-1 flame retardant specification (UL file #
E89328).
Cables are available in unconnectored or connectored
options. Refer to the Ordering Guide for part number
information.
500
Features
• Compatible with Avago Versatile Link family of
connectors and fiber optic components
• 1 mm diameter Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) in two
grades: low cost standard POF with 0.22 dB/m typical
attenuation, or high performance extra low loss POF
with 0.19 dB/m typical attenuation
Applications
• Industrial data links for factory automation and plant
control
• Intra-system links; board-to-board, rack-to-rack
• Telecommunications switching systems
• Computer-to-peripheral data links, PC bus extension
• Proprietary LANs
• Digitized video
• Medical instruments
• Reduction of lightning and voltage transient
susceptibility
• High voltage isolation
α
R
– ATTENUATION – dB/km
400
300
200
100
620
640
660
680
700
λ
– WAVELENGTH – nm
Figure 1. Typical POF attenuation vs. wavelength.
Plastic Optical Fiber Specifications: HFBR-R/EXXYYYZ
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Storage and Operating Temperature
Recommended Operating Temperature
Installation Temperature
Short Term Tensile
Single Channel
Force
Dual Channel
Short Term Bend Radius
Long Term Bend Radius
Long Term Tensile Load
Flexing
Symbol
T
S,O
T
O
T
I
F
T
F
T
r
r
F
T
Min.
-55
-40
-20
Max.
+85
+85
+70
50
100
Unit
°C
°C
°C
N
N
mm
mm
N
Cycles
Note
1
2
3, 4
25
35
1
1000
4
Mechanical/Optical Characteristics,
T
A
= -40 to +85°C unless otherwise specified.
Parameter
Cable
Attenuation
Standard Cable,
Type "R"
Extra Low Loss,
Type "E"
Standard Cable,
Type "R"
Extra Low Loss,
Type "E"
Symbol
α
O
Min.
0.15
0.15
α
R
0.12
0.12
NA
D
C
D
J
l/v
I
L
n
0.46
0.94
2.13
Typ.
[5]
0.22
0.19
0.19
0.16
0.47
1.00
2.20
5.0
5.3
12
1.492
1.417
Max.
0.27
0.23
0.24
0.19
0.50
1.06
2.27
dB/m
Unit
dB/m
Condition
Source is HFBR-15XXZ
(660 mm LED, 0.5 NA)
= 50 meters
Source is 650 nm,
0.5 NA monochrometer,
= 50 meters
Note 7, Figure 1
>2 meters
Simplex Cable
Note 6
Without Connectors
50 kV, = 0.3 meters
Reference
Attenuation
Numerical Aperture
Diameter, Core and Cladding
Diameter, Jacket
Propagation Delay Constant
Mass per Unit Length/Channel
Cable Leakage Current
Refractive Index
Core
Cladding
mm
mm
ns/m
g/m
nA
Notes:
1. Installation temperature is the range over which the cable can be bent and pulled without damage. Below -20°C the cable becomes brittle and
should not be subjected to mechanical stress.
2. Short Term Tensile Force is for less than 30 minutes.
3. Short Term Bend Radius is for less than 1 hour nonoperating.
4. 90° bend on 25 mm radius mandrel. Bend radius is the radius of the mandrel around which the cable is bent.
5. Typical data are at 25°C.
6. Propagation delay constant is the reciprocal of the group velocity for propagation delay of optical power. Group velocity is v=c/n where c is the
velocity of light in free space (3xl0
8
m/s) and n is the effective core index of refraction.
7. Note that
α
R
rises at the rate of about 0.0067 dB/°C, where the thermal rise refers to the LED temperature changes above 25°C. Please refer to
Figure 1 which shows the typical plastic optical fiber attenuation versus wavelength at 25°C.
2
Plastic Fiber Connector Styles
Connector Description
Four connector styles are available
for termination of plastic optical
fiber: simplex, simplex latching,
duplex and duplex latching. All
connectors provide a snap-in
action when mated to Versatile
Link components. Simplex
connectors are color coded to
facilitate identification of trans-
mitter and receiver connections.
Duplex connectors are keyed so
that proper orientation is ensured
during insertion. If the POF cable/
connector will be used at extreme
operating temperatures or
experience frequent and wide
temperature cycling effects, the
cable/connector attachment can
be strengthened with an RTV
adhesive (see Plastic Connector-
ing Instructions for more detail).
The connectors are made of a
flame retardant VALOX UL94 V-0
material (UL file # E121562).
SIMPLEX CONNECTOR STYLES
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z – Simplex
HFBR-4503Z/4513Z – Simplex Latching
HFBR-4525Z
latching connector is available in
parchment, off-white (HFBR-
4506Z).
HFBR-4516Z – Duplex Latching
The simplex latching connector is
designed for rugged applications
requiring a greater retention force
— 80 Newtons ( 18 lb.) — than
provided by a simplex nonlatching
connector. When inserting the
simplex latching connector into a
module, the connector latch
mechanism should be aligned with
the top surface of the horizontal
modules, or with the tall vertical
side of the vertical modules.
Misalignment of an inserted
latching connector into either
module will not result in a positive
latch. The connector is released
by depressing the rear section of
the connector lever, and then
pulling the connector assembly
away from the module housing.
The simplex latching connector is
available in gray (HFBR-4503Z) or
blue (HFBR-4513Z).
DUPLEX CONNECTOR STYLES
HFBR-4506Z – Duplex
HFBR-4526Z
HFBR-4526Z
The duplex latching connector is
designed for rugged applications
requiring greater retention force
than the nonlatching duplex con-
nector. When inserting the duplex
latching connector into a module,
the connector latch mechanism
should be aligned with the top
surface of the dual combination of
horizontal or vertical Versatile Link
components. The duplex latching
connector is available in gray
(HFBR-4516Z).
,
Feedthrough/Splice
HFBR-4505Z/4515Z Bulkhead Adapter
, HFBR-4525Z
The simplex connector provides a
quick and stable connection for
applications that require a
component-to-connector retention
force of 8 Newtons (1.8 lb.).
These connectors are available in
gray (HFBR-4501Z) or blue
(HFBR-4511Z).
Duplex connectors provide con-
venient duplex cable termination
and are keyed to prevent incorrect
insertion into duplex configured
modules. The duplex connector is
compatible with dual combina-
tions of horizontal or vertical
Versatile Link components (e.g.,
two horizontal transmitters, two
vertical receivers, a horizontal
transmitter with a horizontal
receiver, etc.). The duplex non-
The HFBR-4505Z/4515Z adapter
mates two simplex connectors for
panel/bulkhead feedthrough of
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z terminated
plastic fiber cable. Maximum panel
thickness is 4.1 mm (0.16 inch).
This adapter can serve as a cable
in-line splice using two simplex
connectors. The adapters are
available in gray (HFBR-4505Z)
and blue (HFBR-4515Z). This
adapter is not compatible with POF
duplex, POF simplex latching, or
HCS connectors.
3
Plastic Optical Fiber Connector Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Storage and Operating Temperature
Recommended Operating Temperature
Installation Temperature
Nut Torque
HFBR-4505Z/4515Z Adapter
Symbol
T
S,O
T
O
T
l
T
N
Min.
-40
-40
0
Max.
85
85
70
0.7
100
Unit
°C
°C
°C
N-m
OzF-in.
Note
1
1
1
2
Notes:
1. Storage and Operating Temperatures refer to the ranges over which the connectors can be used when not subjected to mechanical stress.
Installation Temperature refers to the ranges over which connectors may be installed onto the fiber and over which connectors can be connected
and disconnected from transmitter and receiver modules.
2. Recommended nut torque is 0.57 N-m.
Plastic Optical Fiber Connector Mechanical/Optical Characteristics
T
A
= -40 to +85°C, Unless Otherwise Specified.
Parameter
Retention Force,
Connector to
Versatile Link
Transmitters and
Receivers
Part Number
Simplex,
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503Z/4513Z
Duplex,
HFBR-4506Z
Duplex Latching,
HFBR-4516Z
Simplex,
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503Z/4513Z
Duplex, HFBR-4506Z
Duplex Latching,
HFBR-4516Z
HFBR-4505Z/4515Z with
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z
HFBR-4505Z/4515Z with
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z
Simplex,
HFBR-4501Z/4511Z
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503Z/4513Z
Duplex, HFBR-4506Z
Duplex Latching
HFBR-4516Z
Symbol
F
R-C
Min.
7
3
47
11
7
4
50
15
8.5
8.5
14
14
α
CC
F
R-B
F
I
0.7
7
Typ.
[1]
8
80
12
80
22
22
35
35
1.5
8
8
16
13
22
30
35
46
51
2.8
dB
N
N
6
25
4, 5
N
Max.
Units
N
Temp.
°C
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
Note
2
Tensile Force,
Connector to Cable
F
T
3
Adapter Connector
to Connector Loss
Retention Force
Connector to Adapter
Insertion Force,
Connector to Versatile
Link Transmitters and
Receivers
Notes:
1. Typical data are at +25°C.
2. No perceivable reduction in retention force was observed after 2000 insertions. Retention force of non-latching connectors is lower at elevated
temperatures. Latching connectors are recommended for applications where a high retention force at high temperatures is desired.
3. For applications where frequent temperature cycling over temperature extremes is expected, please contact Avago Technologies for alternate
connectoring techniques.
4. Minimum and maximum limit for
α
CC
for 0°C to +70°C temperature range. Typical value of
α
CC
is at +25°C.
5. Factory polish or field polish per recommended procedure.
6. Destructive insertion force was typically at 178 N (40 lb.).
4
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 installation.
Connectors can be easily installed
on cable ends with wire strippers,
cutters and a crimping tool.
Finishing the cable is accom-
plished with the Avago
HFBR-4593Z Polishing Kit,
consisting of a Polishing Fixture,
600 grit abrasive paper and 3
µm
pink lapping film (3M Company,
OC3-14). The connector can be
used immediately after polishing.
Materials needed for plastic fiber
termination are:
1. Avago Plastic Optical Fiber
Cable (Example: HFBR-
RUS500Z, HFBR-RUD500Z,
HFBR-EUS500Z, or HFBR-
EUD500Z)
2. Industrial Razor Blade or Wire
Cutters
3. 16 Gauge Latching Wire
Strippers (Example: Ideal
Stripmaster
TM
type 45-092).
4. HFBR-4597Z Crimping Tool
5. HFBR-4593Z Polishing Kit
6. One of the following
connectors:
a) HFBR-4501Z/4503Z Gray
Simplex/Simplex Latching
Connector and HFBR-4525Z
Simplex Crimp Ring
b) HFBR-4511Z/4513Z Blue
Simplex/Simplex Latching
Connector and HFBR-4525Z
Simplex Crimp Ring
c) HFBR-4506Z Parchment
(off-white) Duplex
Connector and HFBR-4526Z
Duplex Crimp Ring
d) HFBR-4516Z Gray Latching
Duplex Connector and
HFBR-4526Z Duplex Crimp
Ring
Step 1
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
connectoring and polishing.
After cutting the cable to the
desired length, strip off approxi-
mately 7 mm (0.3 in.) of the outer
jacket with the 16 gauge wire
strippers. Excess webbing on the
duplex cable may have to be
trimmed to allow the simplex or
simplex latching connector to
slide over the cable.
When using the duplex connector
and duplex cable, the separated
duplex cable must be stripped to
equal lengths on each cable. This
allows easy and proper seating of
the cable into the duplex
connector.
Step 2
Place the crimp ring and connec-
tor over the end of the cable; the
fiber should protrude about 3 mm
(0.12 in.) through the end of the
connector. Carefully position the
ring so that it is entirely on the
connector with the rim of the
crimp ring flush with the connec-
tor, leaving a small space between
the crimp ring and the flange.
Then crimp the ring in place with
the crimping tool. One crimp tool
is used for all POF connector
crimping requirements.
For applications with extreme
temperature operation or frequent
temperature cycling, improved
connector to cable attachment
can be achieved with the use of an
RTV (GE Company, RTV-128 or
Dow Corning 3145-RTV)
adhesive. The RTV is placed into
the connector prior to insertion of
the fiber and the fiber is crimped
normally. The connector can be
polished after the RTV has cured
and is then ready for use.
Note:
By convention, place the
gray connector on the trans-
mitter cable end and the blue
connector on the receiver cable
end to maintain color coding
(different color connectors are
mechanically identical).
Simplex connector crimp rings
cannot be used with duplex con-
nectors and duplex connector
crimp rings cannot be used
with simplex connectors because
of size differences. The simplex
crimp has a dull luster appear-
ance; the duplex ring is glossy
and has a thinner wall.
5
