Optical Connector Protector Benefits

• Protects optical test ports’ internal (calibrated) end-face from the damage associated with repeated mating and contamination.
• Avoids costly repairs due to damaged connectors.
• Eliminates the costly downtime of having to send test sets to a service center for connector replacement and recalibration.
• Adds flexibility to switch between APC and UPC end-faces, as required by individual jobs.
• Optimized design, in which only damaged ferrules get replaced, significantly minimizes carbon footprint, material waste and environmental impact.

Optical Connector Protector Highlights

• Field-replaceable. No tools, splicing or expertise required.
• Low insertion loss.
• Ferrules are available in single-mode APC and UPC versions.
• Connector Adapters¹ available for SC, FC and LC form factors.
• Internal (calibrated) APC end-faces are protected to prevent accidental touch and contamination. (Other replaceable optical cassette/module systems use regular SC connectors, which expose their internal end-faces to accidental contact and contamination during the exchange process.)
• Cost-effective 4-pack APC or UPC spare ferrule replacement¹.
• Available Protective Base Cover and Dust Cap options¹.
• Existing test sets² may be retrofitted¹ with this new solution, when sent to a service center for regular maintenance, repair or recalibration.
• The most compact, robust and fully integrated optical connector protector solution available on the market.
• International patent pending.

The Connector Protector Solution

This innovative optical ferrule system adds an extra layer of protection to the internal end-face of calibrated optical test ports, preventing contamination and accidental damage. This extends the instrument’s lifespan, reduces downtime and improves productivity.

Components

	The keyed Connector Adapters allow users to change the optical connector body type conveniently and safely whenever needed, keeping the calibrated internal connector protected throughout this simple routine process. Replaceable keyed connectors are available for SC, FC and LC.
	A Locking Ring secures the replaceable ferrule at its optimum position for the best performance.
	The internal Field-replaceable Ferrules allow users to replace a damaged end-face, or switch between APC and UPC end-faces for the optical test ports, adapting to any test application requirement. Its attached ceramic sleeve helps protect the internal end-face from accidental contact and contamination.
	The Optical Connector Protector Base is a fixed panel-mount base made from high-grade stainless steel using a precision CNC machining process, to guarantee proper alignment of the replaceable ferrule, minimizing insertion loss.

Users can order affordable spare ferrules to eliminate delays. In the event of any damage to the external optical end-face, users can quickly replace the cost-effective ferrule without the need for tools, maintaining the integrity of the instrument’s factory calibration. This novel approach eliminates the downtime, logistical hurdles and high cost associated with sending test sets to a service center for repairs and recalibration, or having to place orders for replacement connector cassettes/modules and wait for them to be delivered.

Find a clean working area/environment with a stable flat surface to work on.

Before starting, remove the plastic Dust Cap and Base Cover, to expose the optical connector protector assembly.

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Removing Old or Damaged Ferrule

Inserting New Ferrule

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Clean and inspect (scope) all the connectors, as required, before mating them with any patch cords, launch fibers, devices under test, etc.

V90-series test set with the Optical Connector Protector option

V90-series test set with Optical Connector Protector and Dust Cap options

Installing a “Dragonfly” field-replaceable ferrule on a V90-series test set