6

Step 3

Any excess fiber protruding from the connector end may

be cut off; however, the trimmed fiber should extend at

least 1.5 mm (0.06 in) from the connector end.

Insert the connector fully into the polishing fixture with

the trimmed fiber protruding from the bottom of the

fixture.This plastic polishing fixture can be used to polish

two simplex connectors or simplex latching connectors

simultaneously, or one duplex connector.

Note: The four dots on the bottom of the polishing fixture

are wear indicators. Replace the polishing fixture when any

dot is no longer visible. Typically, the polishing fixture can

be used 10 times; 10 duplex connectors or 20 simplex con­

nectors, two at a time.

Place the 600 grit abrasive paper on a flat smooth surface,

pressing down on the connector, polish the fiber and the

connector using a figure eight pattern of strokes until

the connector is flush with the bottom of the polishing

fixture. Wipe the connector and fixture with a clean cloth

or tissue.

Step 4

Place the flush connector and polishing fixture on the dull

side of the 3 µm pink lapping film and continue to polish

the fiber and connector for approximately 25 strokes.The

fiber end should be flat, smooth and clean.

This cable is now ready for use.

Note:Useofthepinklappingfilmfinepolishingstepresultsin

approximately 2 dB improvement in coupling performance

ofeitheratransmitter­receiverlinkorabulkhead/spliceover

a 600 grit polish alone. This fine polish is comparable to the

Broadcom factory polish. The fine polishing step may be

omittedwhereanextra2dBofopticalpowerisnotessential,

as with short link lengths. Proper polishing of the tip of the

fiber/connector face results in a tip diameter between 2.5

mm (0.098 in.) minimum and 3.2 mm (0.126 in.) maximum..

AFBR-4594Z Polishing Kit