How to Know You Have the "Right" Connector for the Job

by Adam Broughton, senior technical manager, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave

Two Field Termination Methods, Your Call

A little over a month ago when I was at OFC, one of the questions that came up on the show floor was about the difference between mechanical and splice-on connectors. “Which one is better?”

If you asked 10 field technicians that question, my hunch is that maybe half of them would answer one or the other purely based on their experience and their typical job assignments. The other half would ask for details about the specific installation scenario.

That’s what I would do too, because neither answer is categorically better. Rather than going through the deployment variables in the abstract, let’s tackle the question through some of our customers’ own experiences.

Traveling Light

Picture a field technician making broadband connections, one residential subscriber at a time. In situations where each home is served by a single fiber drop cable, mechanical connectors are worth their weight in gold. Technicians can hook up an SC APC connector in less than a minute without setting up a fusion splicer at every stop. A built-in visual indicator confirms success, and the installer moves on.

This portability is a must-have in many mass transit installations where technicians simply can’t carry much more than a small bag containing mechanical connectors, a cleaver, and cleaning supplies.

In network testing, troubleshooting, and emergency restoration scenarios, mechanical connectors can be installed quickly, then removed and reused up to five times.

Factory Performance, On-Site Flexibility

Technicians working in enterprise, data center, and commercial broadband applications are more likely to reach for splice-on connectors. These connectors stand out when it comes to creating high-performance, permanent connections; they use the same materials and polishing process as factory-terminated assemblies that meet Telcordia GR-326-CORE requirements, with results verified by the fusion splicer in real time during installation.

Splice-on connectors give installers the flexibility to build factory-quality, custom-length assemblies on-site. This flexibility matters when cable lengths aren't known at the time of order or crowded conduits make pre-terminated assemblies impractical. And when a project timeline won't wait for factory assemblies, technicians can make them on the spot without sacrificing performance.

It's Not Either/Or

I want to highlight that many networks are built with a combination of field- and factory-installable terminations. Especially when speed of deployment is the priority, a cable assembly configured as a trunk with one bare end is the winning solution. It can be plugged in on one side and mass terminated with MPO splice-on connectors on the other. Often, a “unique to you” solution is the fastest path to turning up service.

That’s why Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s fiber termination offering includes the award-winning Lynx-CustomFit™ splice-on connectors, pre-terminated solutions, mechanical connectors, and industry-leading fusion splicing equipment and service.

If we can help you determine the right product mix for your next installation, connect with us. You can also explore many of our resources on our website and YouTube, including how-to installation videos for Lynx-CustomFit™ splice-on connectors and Quick-SC & LC mechanical connectors.

About the author: Adam Broughton, senior technical manager, brings deep expertise in fiber optic connectivity and field-termination solutions to customers across a wide range of network applications.