Connectors - SEFRAM 7849B User Manual

18.2.2 Connectors

Like for RF, connectors are very important and their selection has consequences on the quality of the re-
ceived signal.
With optical fibers, there are several kinds of connectors according to the type of fiber (single-mode or mul-
timode) and to the selected connection.
Thus, there are plastic SC connector for indoor uses and metal FC connectors for indoor and outdoor uses.
Similarly, there are various « polishing » of the fiber core:
- straight PC (Physical Contact) SPC (Super Physical Contact) or UPC (Ultra Physical Contact), or
- angled APC (Angled Physical Contact)
APC polishing generates advantageously less losses by reflection. APC connectors are recognizable
thanks to their green color.
If you plug an APC connector to a non-APC connector, in addition to an increased risk of damaging the
connector, there will be automatically a 4dB decrease of the optical level, which means 8dB for RF.
Thus, you will have to take great care of the connections and the types of connectors for your installation.
On the measurement device, the connector is FC APC, but 2 jumper cables are provided with the ap-
pliance to switch from FC APC to FC PC (UPC or SPC) and from FC APC to SC APC.
Warning: Before connecting a fiber, it is compulsory to clean both connectors with a
compressed air spray. Never use clothes, alcohol, water or any other liquid or solvent.
Warning: The wavelengths inside the optical fibers are generated by lasers; you cannot
see them, but they are particularly dangerous for your eyes and may lead to irreversible
damages. Thus, you must be very careful when manipulating these fibers (i.e. do not
watch inside a connector when linked to the live head).
The measurement device has no optical source: it does not emit any light.
7849B – 7859B – 7817B
p.
80