Sumitomo Electric Lightwave intros cross-compatible splice-on connector
JANUARY 23, 2007 -- Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (search for Sumitomo Electric Lightwave) has introduced the Lynx CustomFit Splice-On Connector, which it claims is the industry's first fully integrable and cross-compatible splice-on connector enabling customized FTTH/FTTP, outside plant, and inside plant field terminations.
The Lynx CustomFit Splice-On Connector is fully compatible with an array of existing splicer and fiber holder brands, eliminating the need for customers to invest in specially designated splicer equipment, thereby reducing their cost of ownership, claim company representatives.
According to Sumitomo, its splice-on connector provides not only low cost of ownership for termination deployments, but offers numerous advantages over existing termination methods, namely preterminated jumpers and mechanical splices.
The method of termination provided by Sumitomo's Lynx CustomFit connector eliminates the guess work in predetermining the length of preterminated jumpers required for a given application, allowing the field technician to customize the termination in the field, ensuring quick, accurate, and permanent connectorizations, explains the company. Moreover, says Sumitomo, the use of the Lynx CustomFit connector eliminates the necessity and associated costs of maintaining an inventory of splice trays and varying lengths of preterminated jumpers.
Unlike mechanical splicing methods, which require index matching gel with a limited shelf life, the Lynx CustomFit Splice-On Connector provides a quick method of permanently splicing the factory polished connector without hazardous adhesives. By fusion splicing the connector, technicians achieve superior results over mechanical splicing with regard to splice loss (less than 0.1 dB for fusion splicing versus 0.3 dB for mechanical splicing, says the company). Fusion splicing also results in lower light loss and back reflection when compared to mechanical splicing, thereby making termination to an APC connector possible.
"The introduction of the Lynx CustomFit Splice-On Connector, along with Sumitomo's recent innovation of the industry's first and only dual heater single and mass fusion splicers, manifests Sumitomo's mission to provide our customers with better, quicker, and more cost effective solutions," contends Joshua Seawell, product manager for fusion splicing equipment at Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. "Our commitment to continuous innovation ensures that our customers achieve faster deployments and quicker turn-up when servicing their customers, a necessity for achieving competitiveness and profitability," he adds.
Sumitomo's Lynx CustomFit Splice-On SC Connector will be available for mass distribution in the second quarter of 2007.