3M PC3, FC User Manual

Instructions

SC & FC/PC3 Pull-Proof
Fiber Optic Connectors

Termination Procedures for
Single-mode and Multimode
Field-Mountable Connectors
using Epoxy

Issue 1, May 1993

Contents:

A) Warnings, Recommendations and Overview................................................................................................ 3

B) Jacketed Cable Preparation.......................................................................................................................... 5

C) Mounting........................................................................................................................................................ 8

D) Scoring .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

E) Standard Polishing Process for Single-mode and Multimode Connectors (>30dB)..................................... 13

F) Polishing Process for Single-mode Connector Return Loss >40dB ............................................................. 16

G) Final Cleaning ............................................................................................................................................... 20

H) Mounting Unjacketed/900 ϑm Buffered Fiber ............................................................................................... 20

I) Connector Assembly and Installation............................................................................................................ 22

J) 3M SC and FC/PC3 Epoxy Field Termination Kits........................................................................................ 24

.972 in.

.068 in.

(1.73 mm)

.352 in.

(8.94 mm)

(24.7

mm)

.205 in.

(5.2 mm)

.283 in.

(7.19 mm)

.235 in.

(5.97 mm)

Ø .386 in.

(9.8 mm)

.289 in.

(7.34 mm)

.218 in.

(5.54 mm)

.266 in.

(6.75 mm)

Ø .0984 in.
(2.499 mm)

Ø .234 in.
(5.94 mm)

.154 in.

(3.9 mm)

Ø .094 in.

(2.499

mm)

Key-Shell

SC Connector

.925 in.

(23.5 mm)

FC/PC3
Connector

.925 in.

(23.5 mm)

.289 in.

(7.34 mm)

SC Connector

Crimp Ring Boot

1.97 in.

(50.0 mm)

BootCrimp Ring

1.66 in.

(15.0 mm)

2.27 in.

(57.7 mm)

FC/PC3 Connector

2

SECTION A
Warnings, Recommendations and Overview

1. Most fibers can be mechanically stripped without the aid of chemicals or heat. If the fiber is not mechanically
strippable, contact 3M's Training Department or the cable manufacturer for their recommendations.

2. The recommended cleaning solvent for connectors and tools is isopropyl alcohol (reagent grade, 99% or
better). It may be purchased from laboratory supply companies. Isopropyl alcohol may also be used to clean
the lapping acetate and stripping tool when necessary. Do not use acetone for cleaning.

3. For safety reasons, no chemicals have been shipped with the 3M brand Field Termination Kit. We have,
however, included bottles for the alcohol and water.

Note: Carefully follow safety,health and disposal information on container label or Material Safety Data

Sheet for isopropyl alcohol being used.

4. Please contact the 3M Telecom Systems Training Department if you have any questions concerning
chemicals or procedures.

Warning: Do not view fiber ends if they are laser illuminated. Eye damage may result. Illuminate fiber

ends with white light only.

5. The connectors described in this manual have pre-radiused PC "domed" ferrule ends to ensure low
attenuation and the best reflection performance. All polishing should be done on the soft polishing pad
only, as described in this manual.

6. The 3M brand connectors with PC finishes are completely intermateable with flat finished connectors. PC to
flat terminations actually provide improved performance over flat to flat terminations. PC to PC terminations
as produced while using this manual, however, offer the best performance.

7. Safety glasses should be worn when working with optical fibers.

8. Appropriate containers of clean, dry, compressed air may be obtained from photographic supply stores. Do
not use types that leave a residue.

3

SECTION A
Warnings, Recommendations and Overview

This manual is for terminating the following field mountable connectors:

Identification

SC Single-mode Product Number Housing (Color) Ferrule Collar Strain Relief Boot

125 ϑm 8305 Blue Black White
126 ϑm 8306 Blue Yellow White
127 ϑm 8307 Blue Silver White

SC Multimode

125 ϑm 6306 Beige Black Beige

FC Single-mode

125 ϑm 8202 Gray Black White
126 ϑm 8203 Gray Yellow White
127 ϑm 8204 Gray Silver White

FC Multimode

125 ϑm 6202 Beige Black Beige

Field Termination Kits

Field Termination Kit for SC & FC/PC3 Connectors (110V) 8350
Field Termination Kit for SC & FC/PC3 Connectors (220V) 8351
(See section J for kit listing)

SC Connector FC/PC3

(A)

(C)

(B)

(D)

(A)

(A) - Strain Relief Boot
(B) - Crimp Ring
(C) - Connector
(D) - Housing

Connector

(C)

(B)

4

SECTION B
Jacketed Cable Preparation

This section is for mounting the 3M brand SC and FC/PC3 field­mountable connectors on 2.4 mm cable and 3.0 mm cable.

The process for mounting on 900 ϑm buffered fiber can be found in
Section H.

1. TURN THE OVEN ON
When the oven is heated to the proper temperature the heater

light will go off.

2. ASSEMBLE THE CURING STAND ACCORDING TO FIGURE B11

3. PREPARE CONTAINERS AS LABELED
a. Fill one bottle with isopropyl alcohol (reagent grade).
b. Fill one bottle with water.

Note: Carefully follow safety, health and disposal information on

container label or Material Safety Data sheet for isopropyl
alcohol being used.

Fig. B1

4. PREPARE THE CRIMP TOOL
Included in the field termination kit is a crimp tool set. The package

includes a base tool and three die sets to be used as follows:

Die Marking Cavity Marking Application
BIC/ST .151 ST* Bayonet, FC-1 & Biconic

.213 TECS 200/230 connector
.178 Not used

SC / FC3 .120 2.4 mm Jacketed Cable

.137 3.0 mm Jacketed Cable
.190 Kevlar crimp

PPST (Push-Pull ST) .120 2.4 mm Jacketed Cable

.137 3.0 mm Jacketed Cable
.226 Kevlar crimp

Select the jaw labeled "SC/FC3." Secure the jaws loosely with the
thumb screws. Close the jaws to the fully closed position allowing
the jaws to align, then tighten the screws (Fig. B1).

5

SECTION B
Jacketed Cable Preparation

5. SLIP THE STRAIN RELIEF BOOT AND THE CORRECT CRIMP
RING ONTO THE CABLE

DO NOT FORGET TO DO THIS STEP. The boot will not fit over a
mounted connector assembly so it is essential that it be slipped
onto the cable at this time. Slip the smaller diameter of the boot
onto the cable first.

Red crimp rings for 2.4 mm cable and black crimp rings for 3.0
mm cable are provided with each connector. Slide the appropriate
crimp ring onto the cable, small opening first (Fig. B2).

6. CUT AND REMOVE 1 3/16" (30 mm) OF THE CABLE'S OUTER
JACKET

Adjust the yellow handled stripper to cut the jacket and not the
Kevlar1.

Using the ruler supplied in the field kit, measure and mark the
cable 1 3/16" (30 mm) from the end of the jacket. Close the yellow
handled stripper on the cable until the outer jacket is cut (Fig. B3).
Remove the jacket with your fingers.

Fig. B2

Fig. B3

7. CUT AND FLARE THE STRENGTH MEMBERS
Gather the Kevlar and pull it off to one side giving it a slight twist.

Using the serrated scissors cut the Kevlar leaving about 5/16" (8
mm) sticking out of the outer jacket (Fig. B4). Slip the smaller
hole of the blue stripping collar over the buffer and flare out all of
the Kevlar evenly (Fig. B5). Reverse the collar and slide the
larger hole over the buffer and outer jacket. Push down gently
until the stripping collar folds the Kevlar back and seats.

8. HOLD THE CABLE SECURELY
Before stripping the buffer it is important to hold the cable in a

configuration which will prevent the buffered fiber from being
pulled out of the outer jacket.

Grasp the end of the outer jacket between your thumb and
forefinger. Wind the cable between your fingers (Fig.B6).
Squeezing with all fingers will clamp the buffered fiber in the outer
jacket (Fig. B6).

Fig. B4

Fig. B5

6

Fig. B6

SECTION B
Jacketed Cable Preparation

9. BUFFER REMOVAL
With the modified No-Nik tool's arrow pointing in the direction of

the stripping, remove the fiber's buffer in small bites, about 3/16"
(5 mm).

Be sure to remove the stripped material from the tool after each
incremental cut. When stripping the last increment, the end of the
stripping collar should gently rest against the fiber guide inside of
the clearance hole of the No-Nik (Fig. B7). This will ensure the
correct
9/16" (14 mm) buffer length remaining.

10. CLEAN THE FIBER WITH ALCOHOL
With the collar still in place, moisten a lint free cloth with isopropyl

alcohol from the bottle and wipe the fiber clean (Fig. B8). Make
sure there is absolutely no buffer residue or dirt on the fiber by
holding it to a light and inspecting for a smooth shiny surface. If
necessary, wipe the fiber a second time to be sure that it is clean.

11. REMOVE THE STRIPPING COLLAR
Remove the stripping collar and position the cut Kevlar so that it is

evenly distributed around the buffer. At this time, verify the strip
length dimensions. It is very important that the exposed buffer

measures 9/16" (14 mm) from the end of the cut jacket as
shown in Fig. B9. (Figure not to scale). Confirm all dimensions

using the ruler provided (Fig. B10).

12. PROTECT PREPARED FIBERS
Clip the cable in the curing stand where the fiber end will not

touch anything (Fig. B11). When mounting more than one
connector, prepare all fiber ends before mixing the epoxy.

Fig. B7

Fig. B8

1 3/16"

(30 mm)

9/16"

(14 mm)

Outer Jacket

Kevlar

5/16" (8 mm)

Fig. B9

Fig. B10

Fig. B11

7

SECTION C
Mounting

1. INSPECT THE CONNECTOR
Before mounting, hold the connector up to a light to ensure that

the capillary hole of the ceramic ferrule is clear. If the hole is
obstructed, blow it clear with air or use a piece of stainless steel
wire supplied with the kit. To clear simply insert a wire through the
back end of the connector so that the wire forces any debris
through the front end of the ceramic ferrule (Fig. C1).

2. MULTIMODE CONNECTOR MOUNTING
The 125 ϑm size connector will fit standard 125 ϑm multimode

fibers. Since dry fitting is therefore not necessary, advance to C3
in this section.

For 140 ϑm size fibers contact your local 3M sales representative.
SINGLE-MODE CONNECTOR FITTING
In order to achieve the lowest attenuation, it is important to dry fit

single-mode connectors onto individual fibers.
Single-mode connectors are available in three closely toleranced

ferrules sizes for mounting on single-mode fiber. Refer to page 4
for connector identification.

Fig. C1

Fig. C2

Select a 125 ϑm size connector. Line up the connector straight
with the fiber and thread it onto the fiber while slightly rotating the
connector between thumb and forefinger (Fig. C2). Do not try to
force the connector onto the fiber. If the ferrule is too tight, the
fiber will begin to buckle. If this is the case, carefully remove the
125 ϑm size and select a 126 ϑm size connector. Check to see
that the ferrule hole is clear and dry fit. If the 126 ϑm size is too
tight then a 127 ϑm connector should be used. If the connector
cannot be threaded onto the fiber, re-inspect the fiber and the
connector. Re-clean if necessary.

Note: At times when fitting connectors, a fiber particle may

become lodged in the ferrule. In order to clear the ferrule
it may be necessary to insert a stainless steel wire through
the front of the ferrule and push the fiber out through the
rear. Be sure to blow the connector clean after using the
wire.

Slide the correct size connector all the way onto the fiber until the
buffer bottoms against the ferrule. At this point, there should be
no more than 1/16" (2 mm) space between the end of the cable
and the back end of the connector (Fig. C3). After the fit is
confirmed, carefully remove the connector from the fiber and
place the fiber in the curing stand.

3. INSTALL THE LOAD ADAPTER ONTO THE CONNECTOR
After the connector has been fitted, insert it into the load adapter

(Fig. C4) and place the connector in the stand with its matching
fiber.

Fig. C3

Fig. C4

8