Instruction Sheet
408-9971
ST Ceramic Ferrule Connector Kits
and Coupling Receptacle
24 SEP 13 Rev L
Small Diameter Tubing
(Used with 250-µm
Coated Fiber)
Short Boot
Connector Kit
Bare Buffer Boot
(Used with 900-µm
Buffered Fiber)
PVC
Tubing
Connector
Assembly
TYGON
Tubing
Bend-Limiting
Strain Relief
Crimp
Eyelet
Coupling Receptacle Kit
Protective
Cover
Right-Angle Boot
(Used with Jacketed
Cable)
Protective
Cap
Nut
Lockwasher
Protective
Cap
Coupling
Receptacle
Figure 1
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DESCRIPTION (Figure 1)
This instruction sheet covers the application of all
ceramic ferrule epoxy style ST fiber optic connector
kits to fiber optic cable with a jacket diameter no larger
than 3.0 mm [.118 in.].
Each connector kit typically consists of a connector
assembly, a protective cover, a crimp eyelet, and
strain relief or boot.
NOTE
iNOTE For stainless steel ferrule ST connectors, refer to
instruction sheet 408-4151.
Coupling receptacle 501381-1 is used to mate two
bayonet connectors in free-hanging or panel-mount
applications.
Some kits include a clear tubing and a bare buffer boot
(both used with 900-µm buffered fiber), small diameter
tubing (for use with 250-µm coated fiber), PVC tubing
(for use with cables having a jacket diameter less than
2.5 mm [.098 in.], right-angle boots, or bend-limiting
strain relief (for use with jacketed cable).
NOTE
The coupling receptacle kit consists of a coupling
receptacle, lock washer, nut, and two protective caps.
customary units in brackets]. Figures are for reference
only and are not drawn to scale.
3. ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
iNOTE All numerical values are in metric units [with U.S.
Read these instructions and all referenced instructions
thoroughly before starting assembly.
Reasons for reissue of this instruction sheet are
provided in Section 5, REVISION SUMMARY.
3.1. Required Tools and Consumables
The following tools and consumables are
recommended for assembling the connector kits
(related instruction sheets are in parenthesis).
TYGON is a trademark.
©2013 Tyco Electronics Corporation, a TE Connectivity Ltd. company
All Rights Reserved
*Trademark
TOOLING ASSISTANCE CENTER 1-800-722-1111
PRODUCT INFORMATION 1-800-522-6752
This controlled document is subject to change.
For latest revision and Regional Customer Service,
visit our website at www.te.com
TE Connectivity, TE connectivity (logo), and TE (logo) are trademarks. Other logos, product and/or company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
1 of 7
408-9971
A. Tools
A. Jacketed Cable
— cable preparation template 501814-1 or
template kit 501818-1
— aramid shears 1278637-1
— cable strip tool 1754708-1 or
jacket stripper 501198-1 (408-9394) and
fiber stripper 504024-1 (size 203 for 125-µm
fiber—red handle) (408-9485)
— PRO-CRIMPER* III hand tool frame assembly
58433-4 with die assembly 58424-1 (for 3.0-mm
[.118-in.] cable diameter) (408-9671)
— protective sleeve 502259-2
— heat cure oven assembly 502134-1 (120V)
(408-9460)
— Fiber optic sapphire scribe tool 504064-1
(408-4293)
— polish bushing 503337-1 (metal) or 503304-1
(black polymer)
— polish plate 501197-1
— inspection microscope kit 1754767-1
1. Slide the short strain relief (small diameter end
first) onto the cable. If the cable jacket diameter is
less than 2.5 mm [.1 in.], slide the PVC tubing onto
the cable. Slide the crimp eyelet (rolled end first)
onto the cable.
2. Refer to the “OPTIMATE 2.5mm Bayonet
(Ceramic)” strip length template (from the cable
preparation template kit) or refer to Figure 2, Detail
A, and using the cable stripper, strip the jacket to
the dimension shown. Using the shears, trim the
strength members to dimension shown. Using the
fiber stripper, strip the buffer, then the coating to the
dimension shown.
NOTE
iNOTE For specific techniques on stripping (using the fiber
stripper), see instruction sheet 408-9485.
Recommended Stripping Dimensions
Note: Note to Scale
Detail A — Jacketed Cable
B. Consumables
— alcohol fiber wipe packet 501857-2
— epoxy adhesive 1918652-1 or an anaerobic
adhesive and anaerobic primer (LOCTITE 648
anaerobic adhesive and LOCTITE 7649 activator
is recommended)
NOTE
iNOTE For characteristics and safety data on epoxy, refer to
material safety data sheet (MSDS) supplied by the
manufacturer.
— epoxy applicator kit 501473-3
— resilient polishing pad 501523-1
Detail B — Buffered Fiber or Coated Fiber
— polishing pad 501858-1
— 5-µm polishing film 228433-8
— 1-µm polishing film 228433-7
— .3-µm polishing film 228433-5
— lint-free cloth or tissue
— final polishing film 502748-2
NOTE
iNOTE Professional installer's tool kits 501258-7, -8, and -9
include all the tools and consumables (except epoxy)
required for assembly.
3.2. Cable Preparation
!
DANGER
ALWAYS wear safety glasses when working with optical
fibers. BE VERY CAREFUL to dispose of fiber ends
properly. The fibers create slivers that easily puncture
the skin and cause irritation.
LOCTITE 648 and LOCTITE 7649 are trademarks.
Rev L
Note: Dimensions are in millimeters with inches in brackets.
Figure 2
3. Clean the fiber thoroughly using an alcohol fiber
wipe.
4. Evenly “fan out” the strength members from the
buffer.
B. 900-µm Buffered or 250-µm Coated Fiber
1. For buffered fiber, slide the bare buffer boot
(small diameter end first), crimp eyelet (rolled end
first), and clear tubing onto the buffered fiber.
2 of 7
408-9971
For coated fiber, slide the bare buffer boot (small
diameter end first), crimp eyelet (rolled end first),
clear tubing, and small diameter tubing onto the
coated fiber.
2. Strip the buffer and/or coating so that 16 to 17 mm
[.630 to .670 in.] of bare glass is exposed. Refer to
the strip template or Figure 2, Detail B.
3.4. Terminating the Fiber
1. Remove the protective cap from the connector.
Hold the connector with the knurled end up. Insert
the tip of the epoxy applicator as far as possible into
the connector body. See Figure 4, Detail A.
iNOTE For specific techniques on stripping (using the fiber
2. Inject the epoxy into the connector until a small
bead with a diameter of approximately 0.76 mm
[.030 in.] appears at the tip of the ferrule. DO NOT
allow the bead get too large or smear.
3. Clean the fiber thoroughly using an alcohol fiber
wipe.
3. Withdraw the applicator while simultaneously
injecting the epoxy into the bore of the connector
until it is approximately three-quarters full.
NOTE
stripper), see instruction sheet 408-9485.
3.3. Preparing the Epoxy
1. Remove the separating clip from the epoxy
package, and mix the epoxy thoroughly for 20 to 30
seconds.
2. Install the needle tip on the epoxy applicator.
Make sure it is secure. Remove the plunger.
3. Cut the epoxy packet open, and squeeze the
epoxy into the back of the applicator. Re-assemble
the plunger. Hold the applicator vertically, and
slowly push on the plunger until the entrapped air
escapes and a bead of epoxy appears at the tip.
NOTE
iNOTE An alternate method in preparing the epoxy is as
follows:
1. Remove the tip of the epoxy applicator by twisting it
one-quarter turn and pulling it away from the body of the
applicator.
4. For jacketed cable, apply a drop of epoxy to the
outside of the knurled end of the connector, and
distribute it evenly around the circumference of the
knurled end. See Figure 4, Detail B. DO NOT allow
any epoxy on the coupling nut or spring area.
5. Using a twisting motion, gently insert the fiber into
the connector until it bottoms. The fiber should
appear at the tip of the ferrule. Refer to Figure 4,
Detail C.
For jacketed cable, make sure that the strength
members are spread out evenly over the knurled
end of the connector. See Figure 4, Detail C.
6. Twist the connector, and move it back and forth
axially approximately 1.5 mm [.060 in.] to distribute
the epoxy in the bore of the connector.
2. Install the open end of the epoxy applicator into the
epoxy, and pull back on the plunger to draw epoxy into
the applicator. See Figure 3.
7. For jacketed cable, slide the crimp eyelet toward
the connector until it contacts the connector
shoulder, trapping the strength members against
the knurled end. If using the PVC tubing, slide it
under the crimp eyelet until it bottoms. See Figure 5.
3. Slide the tip onto the applicator, making sure it is
firmly secured. Hold the applicator vertically, and slowly
push on the plunger until a bead of epoxy appears at the
tip.
For buffered fiber, slide the clear tubing against the
back of the connector, then slide the crimp eyelet
over the clear tubing and onto the connector. See
Figure 5.
For coated fiber, slide the small diameter tubing and
clear tubing against the back of the connector, then
slide the crimp eyelet over the clear tubing and onto
the connector. See Figure 5.
Epoxy Applicator
(Tip Removed)
Package
Epoxy
3.5. Crimping the Connector
!
CAUTION
Make sure to crimp the connector before the epoxy
cures.
1. Position the connector in the die assembly as
shown in Figure 6.
NOTE
iNOTE On all multi-fiber cable where the fibers lie in a plane,
position the connector alignment keys in the same
orientation during crimping.
Figure 3
Rev L
2. Actuate the tool according to the instructions
packaged with the tool.
3 of 7
408-9971
Detail A
Detail C
Detail B
Knurled End
of Connector
Cable
For Jacketed Cable, Strength
Members Spread Evenly Over
Knurled End of Connector
Epoxy
Applicator
Epoxy
Connector
Body
Fiber
Ferrule Tip
Figure 4
Jacketed Cable
Terminating the Connector
Hand Tool 58433-4
Crimp Eyelet
1
If Using PVC Tubing
2
Die Assembly
1
Crimp Eyelet
PVC2 Tubing
Buffered Fiber
Alignment
Key
Clear Tubing
(Under Crimp Eyelet)
Coated Fiber
Small Diameter Tubing
and Clear Tubing
(Under Crimp Eyelet)
Crimp Eyelet
Crimp Eyelet
Resting Against Die
Figure 6
3. Slide the protective sleeve onto the connector,
and snap it into place using the coupling nut.
Crimp
Eyelet
4. Clean excess epoxy from the connector, tool, and
die assembly.
Figure 5
5. Taking care not to break the protruding fiber,
firmly hold the front of the connector, and slide the
short strain relief or bare buffer boot over the crimp
eyelet and onto connector shoulder until it bottoms.
3.6. Curing the Epoxy
1. Hang the connector vertically with the tip down.
2. Using the heat cure oven assembly, cure the
assembly for 1 hour at 65°C [149°F].
Rev L
4 of 7
408-9971
3.7. Cleaving the Fiber
!
3.8. Polishing the Fiber
DANGER
ALWAYS wear safety glasses when working with optical
fibers. BE VERY CAREFUL to dispose of fiber ends
properly. The fibers create slivers that easily puncture
the skin and cause irritation.
1. Choose a flat end finish or physical contact (PC)
end finish.
NOTE
iNOTE The flat end finish is recommended when the connector
might be exposed to a tough mechanical environment,
and the PC end finish is recommended for singlemode
connectors and will provide better performance by
reducing the optical power reflected back to the source.
1. Carefully remove the protective sleeve from the
connector.
2. Firmly support the connector assembly.
3. Place the blade of the scribe tool directly above
the epoxy, and lightly draw the beveled edge across
the fiber parallel to the tip of the ferrule. See
Figure 7. After scoring the fiber, pull it straight away
from the connector.
Pull Fiber Straight Away
Fiber
Epoxy
Ferrule Tip
Scribe Tool
Figure 7
!
DANGER
BE VERY CAREFUL to dispose of fiber ends properly.
The fibers create slivers that can easily puncture the
skin and cause irritation.
2. For the flat end finish, place the white polishing
pad on the polishing plate. For the PC end finish,
place the green polishing pad on the polishing plate.
3. Place the 5-µm polishing film on top of the
polishing pad.
!
CAUTION
ALWAYS place the polishing bushing on a clean area of
the polishing film. NEVER start polishing on or across a
dirty section of the film.
4. Holding the polishing bushing, not the connector,
start polishing very lightly. Polish in an elongated
figure 8 pattern. See Figure 9. Initially a small
amount of exposed fiber will be worn away. This is
indicated by a narrow white trace on the film. As the
exposed fiber wears away, the trace will widen and
darken, indicating that epoxy is being removed. At
this point a moderate downward force may be
applied while polishing. Check the tip of the ferrule
often, and stop polishing on the 5-µm film when the
epoxy is light blue.
5. Clean the polishing bushing and connector
assembly with an alcohol fiber wipe.
Figure 8 Pattern
4. Insert the connector into the polishing bushing.
See Figure 8.
Polishing Bushing
Short Strain Relief
(Ref)
Figure 8
Figure 9
6. For the flat end finish, use the 1-µm film on the
white polishing pad, and polish the fiber until only a
very light blue trace of epoxy remains.
For the PC end finish, use the 1-µm film on the
green polishing pad, and polish the fiber for about
20 seconds.
7. Clean the polish bushing and connector
assembly with an alcohol fiber wipe.
Rev L
5 of 7
408-9971
8. For both type end finishes, using the.3-µm film on
the appropriate polishing pad, polish the fiber until
all the epoxy is gone. Use only a light force on the
polishing bushing. DO NOT over polish. Using the
microscope, examine the tip of the ferrule. Stop
polishing as soon as all the epoxy has been
removed.
Ferrule
Tip
Acceptable
Fiber
Small
Peripheral
Chips
9. For the flat end finish, clean the connector with an
alcohol fiber wipe, and dry with a lint-free cloth or
tissue.
For the PC end finish, remove the connector from
the polishing bushing and place the final polishing
film on the polishing pad. Apply a few drops of water
to an unused area of the film. Move the connector
on the water in 20-mm [.75-in.] diameter circles for
25 seconds to polish the fiber.
Fine Polishing
Lines
Unacceptable
NOTE NOTE
i
One piece of final polishing film will be sufficient for 10 to
20 connectors.
10. Clean the connector with an alcohol fiber wipe,
and wipe dry with a lint-free cloth or tissue.
Dark
Scratches
Ferrule
Tip
Fiber
Lot of Pits
3.9. Inspecting the Endface
!
DANGER
NEVER inspect or look into the end of a fiber when
optical power is applied to the fiber. The infrared light
used, although it cannot be seen, can cause injury to the
eyes.
1. Inspect the polished fiber and ferrule (endface)
with the microscope. Refer to Figure 10, and check
for the following:
— Dark scratches on the endface indicate that dirt
was present during the polishing process. For PC
end finish, some scratches can be removed by
further polishing with polishing compound. Apply a
fresh drop of compound to an unused area of the
polishing cloth, and polish for 10 seconds.
Re-examine the endface. DO NOT polish again if
scratches remain. For flat end finish, polish for 15
seconds on the .3-µm film. Re-examine the
endface.
— Small pits in the endface indicate that the fiber
was polished too long on either the 5- or 1-µm film.
Some pitting might not interfere with connector
performance if it is not in the core area.
— A lot of pits in the endface indicate that the fiber
was polished too long with the 5-µm film.
— A large fracture at the edge of the fiber indicates
that the fiber was broken below the surface of the
ferrule during cleaving or initial polishing (small
chips in the outer rim of the fiber are permissible).
2. Place the protective cap on the ferrule of the
connector if the connector is not going to be mated
immediately.
Rev L
Figure 10
3.10. Using the Coupling Receptacle Kit
The coupling receptacle can be used free hanging or it
can be mounted on a panel. To mount the receptacle
on a panel, proceed as follows:
1. Cut out the panel according to the dimensions
given in Figure 11.
2. Assemble the coupling receptacle, lockwasher,
and nut as shown in Figure 11.
3. Lock the connectors into place using the coupling
nut.
NOTE
iNOTE After coupling, ALWAYS push in axially on the back of
each connector to ensure intimate contact.
4. Place the protective caps on the coupling
receptacle if the connectors are not going to be
mated immediately.
4. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR
Kit components are not repairable. Replace any
damaged or defective components. DO NOT re-use
terminated connectors by removing the cable.
6 of 7
408-9971
Recommended Panel Cutout
Mounting Coupling Receptacle
Note: Not to Scale
7.88 mm
[.311 in.]
(Min)
Coupling
Receptacle
Panel
Lockwasher
9.68 mm [.381 in.] Dia (Min)
Nut
Figure 11
5. REVISION SUMMARY
Revisions to this instruction sheet include:
• Removed “polymer” from name of product
• Added instruction sheet reference to fiber stripper
and changed hand tool frame assembly part
number in Paragraph 3.1.A
• Removed epoxy mixer
• Replaced steps 1 and 2 in Paragraph 3.6
Rev L
7 of 7