Field-installable plastic multifiber connector

A plastic molded five-fiber connector has been developed and is now being introduced for use in optical subscriber loops [1]. The connector has excellent characteristics, such as low insertion loss and satisfactory mechanical and environmental stability, and is suitable for mass production. The connector can be used for joining five single fibers as well as a five-fiber ribbon. The connector ferrule was designed to have a suitable configuration for easy fiber installation in the factory or in the field. The ferrule is manufactured by a precision transfer molding. The mold was designed to realize a high-precision ferrule with five capillaries positioned precisely between two alignment pins. This paper describes the connector configurations, manufacturing methods, mounting procedures, characteristics, and long-term stability.