Fiber Optic Termination Kit
Instructions
Overview
The Ocean Optics Fiber Termination Kit allows you to change the fiber terminations on your Ocean
Optics fibers yourself. The kit is a complete, self-contained fiber polishing and termination tool kit.
Through the use of this kit, you can modify or re-terminate the connector on the ends of your fibers
and polish the fibers to ensure maximum transmission efficiency of the fiber after a termination
change.
Package Contents
The following items are included in the Fiber Optic Termination Kit:
DFSMA-PUCK – SMA polishing puck
DFSORINGTOOL – Carbide scribe
DFPOLISH-001 – 1 µm lapping film 4.5 in. x 4 in. Al Oxide 4 sheets cut
DFPOLISH-002 – 3 µm lapping film 4.5 in. x 4 in. Al Oxide 4 sheets cut
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Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
DFPOLISH-003 – 12 µm lapping film 4.5 in. x 4 in. Al Oxide 4 sheets cut
DFEPOXY – Room temperature ½ hour cure adhesive
DFWIPES – Optic wipes
DFCRIMPTOOL – 5-cavity crimp tool (0.105 in., 0.137 in., 0.151 in., 0.178 in., 0.255 in.)
DFPLATE – 6 in. x 6 in. glass with four rubber feet
DFMICROSCOPE – Basic inspection scope
DFMS SMA – 9025 SMA scope adapter
DFSMACONN – Assortment of 50/100, 200, 400, 600, and 1000 µm SMA connectors (4
each)
DF-LUNCH CASE – Blue carrying case
Using the Fiber Optic Termination Kit
Polishing and finishing a fiber is a two-step process. You must first attach and crimp the SMA
connector onto the fiber (if working with a jacketed fiber). Once completed, you then polish the end of
the fiber to ensure that light can pass through the fiber unobstructed and enter or exit the fiber.
The following sections provide instructions on crimping fiber cables and polishing fiber ends.
Crimping the Fiber Optic Termination Kit
The figure below shows the various portions of the SMA connector that you will use when crimping a
fiber cable:
Parts of the SMA Connector
The Fiber Optic Termination Kit can be used to change or repair fibers and connectors on jacketed
fibers as well as bare fibers. The SMA crimp sleeve is only required when working with jacketed
fibers, which are composed of an outer jacketing (typically PVC or Tefzel), a strength layer composed
of durable Kevlar fibers, and a black inner tube coating that protects the fiber from damage and
insulates against stray light.
Figure 2 below illustrates the composition of a typical jacketed fiber:
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Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
Typical Jacketed Fiber Construction
When working with a jacketed fiber, you must pare away the jacketing to expose the enclosed fiber.
The procedures for crimping and polishing are the same. However, when working with a jacketed
fiber, you will need to expose the fiber by removing a few millimeters of the black inner tube
jacketing.
Crimping Jacketed Fibers
Follow the steps below to attach and crimp an SMA connector to the end of a jacketed fiber using your
Fiber Optic Termination Kit.
► Procedure
1. Trim the end of the fiber jacketing to the appropriate length, exposing the enough of the bare
fiber so that it can thread through the hole in the SMA Ferrule. Use a razor blade or some
other stripping tool to expose the appropriate length of fiber (this tool is not included with the
Fiber Optic Termination Kit).
2. Place the SMA crimp sleeve (the hollow tube that accompanies the SMA connectors) into the
0.178 channel of the 5-cavity crimp tool and close the crimp tool so that it gently secures the
crimp sleeve into place.
3. Apply some epoxy to the inside of the SMA crimp sleeve and slide the crimp sleeve onto the
jacketing of the fiber.
4. Thread the exposed end of the bare fiber and the protective inner tube through the SMA
connector barrel and out of the hole in the SMA ferrule.
5. Spread the Kevlar strength member so that it encloses the SMA connector barrel.
6. Apply some epoxy to the exterior of the SMA connector barrel and slide the SMA connector
barrel inside the connector sleeve.
7. Firmly crimp the SMA connector barrel and the SMA crimp sleeve together so that the crimp
sleeve covers the Kevlar strength member, the SMA connector barrel, and the end of the outer
jacketing.
8. Apply a drop of epoxy to the tip of the SMA ferrule, directly where the bare fiber is protruding
from the ferrule tip.
9. Allow the epoxy to cure for a minimum of two hours.
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Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
Polishing Fiber Ends
WARNING
Safety glasses should be worn when polishing short sections of fiber (12 inches or
less). Use caution when handling alcohol to avoid any spills. Apply alcohol to the
SMA connector with cotton-tipped applicators.
Once you have allowed the epoxy to cure and the SMA connector and sleeve are securely crimped to
the cable, perform the steps below to polish the fiber end.
Polishing the Fiber End
► Procedure
1. Place the exposed bare fiber on the 6” x 6” glass table, and use the scoring tool to score a
notch in the fiber as close as possible to the tip of the SMA ferrule.
2. Snap the excess bare fiber off at the scored point of the fiber.
3. Screw the SMA connector into the SMA polishing puck so that the tip of the bare fiber and tip
of the SMA ferrule are exposed.
4. Place a sheet of the 12
5. Hold the SMA polishing puck by the fiber cable channel and place the SMA connector
vertical to the lapping film.
µm lapping film on the 6” x 6” glass.
Note
Holding the SMA polishing puck in a 90° vertical manner ensures flatness on the tip
of the fiber.
6. Gently rub the bare fiber tip on the lapping film in a “figure-8” motion until the excess epoxy
is removed and the fiber is flush against the tip of the SMA ferrule.
7. Place a sheet of the 3 µm lapping film on the 6” x 6” glass.
8. Hold the SMA polishing puck by the fiber cable channel (in the vertical position) and gently
rub the fiber tip on the lapping film in a “figure-8” motion approximately 50 times.
9. Repeat Steps 7-8, using the 1 µm lapping film.
10. Wipe the fiber end with the optic wipes to remove contaminants created during polishing and
to clean the end of the fiber.
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Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
Inspecting the Fiber End
► Procedure
Perform the steps below to inspect the condition of the fiber after polishing:
1. Ensure that the 9025 SMA Scope Adapter is attached to the inspection scope.
2. Connect the SMA connector and fiber to be examined to the SMA adapter on the end of the
inspection scope.
3. Turn the inspection scope’s light on.
4. Look through the end of the inspection scope to verify the condition of the fiber. If there are
no visible cracks, grooves, or scuffs on the fiber surface, the fiber polishing procedure is
complete.
If you locate cracks, grooves, scuffs, or other imperfections on the fiber surface, repeat Steps
7-10 of the
Polishing the Fiber End section (above), then re-examine the condition of the fiber
after repolishing.
Accessories
You can greatly enhance the potential uses of the Fiber Optic Termination Kit by purchasing any of
the following Ocean Optics products:
Product Part No. Description
Fiber Tinkerer Kit FT-KIT Includes an assortment of randomly selected UV-VIS
and VIS-NIR optical fibers. Each kit has at least 1 meter
of consecutive length of each fiber type.
Bare Fiber Adapter Kit BFA-KIT Includes six SMA 905 Connectors of various sizes and a
connect-and-release adapter to fasten the SMA
connectors onto bare optical fiber.
SMA Connector
Supplies
Fibers See
Connector Kit The SMA 905 Connector Kits are available in six
different sizes, each with 10 SMA 905 Connectors of the
same size, drilled for precise alignment with our optical
fiber. Kits vary according to the diameter size of the
SMA 905 Connector and whether you prefer Standard
SMA 905 connectors or Premium SMA 905 connectors:
150 µm, 270 µm, 380 µm, 490 µm, 710 µm and
1300 µm diameter connectors are available.
http://www.oceanoptics.com/products/opticalfibers.asp
for our available fibers.
View any of these products at http://www.oceanoptics.com/products/fiberkits.asp or contact an
Ocean Optics Application Sales Engineer for assistance.
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Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
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