January 30, 2007 -- 3M (www.3M.com) has added a new no-polish connector to its fiber connector family. The company says the new connector is designed to enable fast, on-site installation of singlemode and multimode connections.
The no-polish connector utilizes a one-piece, pre-assembled design, eliminating field polishing and loose parts. Systems integrators and installers for communication companies and private networks will find the connector provides an easy way to make field terminations that improve cable management inside buildings or in the outside plant, says 3M.
With the factory-polished ferrule assembly and a mechanical splice, the company says its no polish connector can be installed quickly, without electrical power and using a simple tool, with minimal set-up time and capital investment. (Fiber installers have historically installed connectors using field-polishing, notes the company.)
A bell-shaped boot permanently attached to the connector body reduces the chance of losing it or forgetting to install it before inserting the fiber. The bell feature maintains the minimum fiber bend radius for excellent strain relief.
The easy-to-use assembly tool allows the installer to align a prepared fiber in the connector and activate the splice and buffer clamp using the same tool. Finger grips on the tool make it easy to handle even without a flat work surface. A connector installation can be completed in less than two minutes, contends the company.