Ocean Optics Optical Fiber Assemblies - Manual (Page 3)

Optical Fiber Assemblies Installation and Operation Instructions
Patch Cords
Patch cords are single strands of optical fiber. The active part of the patch cord consists of a silica core
surrounded by a silica cladding material. See buffer and cabling material information above for more
information.
Bifurcated Assemblies and Splitters
Bifurcated assemblies and splitters allow you to route light from a single location to multiple locations, or
to collect light from multiple locations and route that light to a single location. The assemblies are “Y”
shaped, with a breakout typically located midway down the length of the fiber.
The common end of bifurcated fiber assemblies has two fibers side-by-side. The spatial difference
between each of the fibers may be critical to your application. If this difference is important, you will
need a splitter. The common end of a bifurcated fiber can be coupled to a larger diameter single fiber with
a splice bushing, creating a functional splitter.
Splice Bushings and Bulkhead Fittings
Splice Bushings couple two SMA 905-terminated fibers. To couple the fibers, screw each fiber into the
splice bushing until tight. Tighten by hand only.
Bulkhead Fittings are used to fix a fiber onto a panel. Install the bulkhead by drilling a hole in the wall
where you intend to mount the fiber. Fasten the back of the bulkhead fitting using the lock washer and nut
provided.
Solarization-resistant Fibers
When using an ultraviolet light source with standard fibers, the UV radiation from the light source
degrades the silica over time. This results in increased absorption and invalid data, a phenomenon referred
to as fiber solarization.
Ocean Optics solarization-resistant fibers consist of a silica core surrounded by silica cladding material.
Optical Fiber Color Codes
When using an Ocean Optics optical fiber assembly, you can determine the fiber diameter and the fiber
type by examining the color bands on the ends of each fiber. The table below contains color-coding data
to assist you in identifying fiber information:
Each optical fiber consists of a color-coded boot (flush against the SMA 905 Connector) and a color band
(at the base of the boot).
000-30000-010-01-1204 3