1.0 Product Description & Requirements
The 3M™ ST* MM Crimplok™ Connector is designed to provide the customer with an easily installed, low-
cost, high performance, epoxy-free, multimode connector for use in indoor applications, such as local area
networks. The main advantage of this connector is a lower installed cost, due to time saved at installation and a
minimal initial investment in tooling.
Some mechanical connectors grip the fiber buffer coating which results in poor performance characteristics in
initial insertion loss measurements, as well as during temperature cycling. Reliability of this method is also
questionable due to differences in buffer coating materials (and Tolerances) encountered with different
manufacturers. Other mechanical connectors grip the glass portion of the fiber with soft compliant materials,
such as plastics, which have demonstrated poor performance characteristics at initial insertion loss and during
temperature cycle testing. Reliability is again questionable due to the materials/properties involved, which
provide inadequate grip onto the glass fiber.
The 3M ST* MM Crimplok Connector grips the glass fiber with a small Fiberlok™-style element that is
integrated inside the backbone of the ST* connector version. Activation of the element is achieved by depressing
an element cap located in the ST* backbone. The 6955-T Crimplok Activation Tool, which is part of the new
6955 kit, activates the element cap and secures the fiber. The Activation tool also sets the amount of fiber
protrusion within strict tolerance limits for faster polishing times. The connector is removed, and a simple one
step polish is performed on a fine grit lapping film that requires less than 30 seconds to complete. The connector
is then ready for use.
2.0 Test Program
The purpose of the test program is to assess the long-term performance of the 3M ST* Crimplok fiber optic
connector product. A series of optical, environmental and mechanical tests were conducted, which expose them
to conditions more severe than those anticipated in actual use. All tests are performed in accordance with TIA-
568A. Field mount Crimplok connectors in the evaluation were obtained directly from 3M factory stock,
assembled on cable, and spliced into the test system. A list of tests performed is presented below.
New Product
New Product
Environmental Group 0
Cold
Temperature Life
Humidity
Mechanical Group 1
Impact
Flex
Twist
Cable Retention
Mechanical Group 2
Vibration
Connector Durability
Connector Intermatability
Sample Preparation:
The ST* Crimplok Connectors were cleaved using the Model 6955-T Crimplok Activation Tool, and were
processed according to the Crimplok Instruction Manual P/N 78-8073-7660-9, Issue 2, July 1997. The fiber
protrusion specification after cleaving is 105
±
25
µm
(using the 6955-T Activation Tool), and the final fiber
protrusion specification after polishing is 10-50
µm
(typical values range from 15-40
µm).
The ST* Crimplok Connectors tested in this report had a fiber protrusion range of 98-119
µm
after cleaving, and
the final fiber protrusions after polishing were:
Mean .................................. 25.7
(µm)
Sigma ................................ 4.5
Minimum .......................... 15.2
Maximum .......................... 31.2
2
2.3 Temperature Life (Group 0)
Procedure:
Testing is performed on samples after exposure to the Cold Test. Measurements of loss and return loss at 850 nm
and 1310 nm wavelengths are performed at the start and finish of test at 22°C. The test samples are subjected to
336 hours (14 days) at 60°C. Additional measurements are made every hour at 60°C during test to monitor
performance.
Sample Size:
10
Results:
LOSS (dB)
Wavelength
850
1310
Initial Mean
0.15
0.12
Initial Std. Dev.
0.05
0.06
Mean During
0.20
0.18
Std. Dev. During
0.07
0.07
Mean Final
0.15
0.13
Std. Dev. Final
0.04
0.05
RETURN LOSS (dB)
Wavelength
Initial Mean
850
1310
-31.2
-31.1
Initial Std. Dev.
1.90
3.22
Mean During
-30.8
-30.4
Std. Dev. During
1.81
3.59
Mean Final
-31.2
-30.9
Std. Dev. Final
1.97
3.42
2.4 Humidity (Group 0)
Procedure:
Testing is performed on samples after exposure to the Temperature Life Test. Measurements of loss and return
loss at 850 nm and 1310 nm wavelengths are performed at the start and finish of the test at 22°C, and every 15
min. during the test at 40°C with 90%-95% Relative Humidity.
Sample Size:
10
Results:
LOSS (dB)
Wavelength
850
1310
Initial Mean
0.15
0.13
Initial Std. Dev.
0.04
0.05
Mean During
0.14
0.12
Std. Dev. During
0.04
0.05
Mean Final
0.15
0.13
Std. Dev. Final
0.04
0.05
RETURN LOSS (dB)
Wavelength
Initial Mean
850
1310
-30.6
-30.2
Initial Std. Dev.
1.80
3.61
Mean During
-30.5
-30.1
Std. Dev. During
1.84
3.51
Mean Final
-30.9
-30.4
Std. Dev. Final
1.84
3.51
4
3.0 Mechanical Tests (Group 1)
3.1 Impact
Procedure:
The connector is placed in the impact test fixture. The connector is raised to the horizontal position and released
in a manner so that it strikes a concrete block. This is repeated 8 times, then cleaned and measured for loss and
return loss. The connector is also inspected for any physical damage.
Sample Size:
10
Results:
Wavelength
850
1310
Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
0.15
0.11
0.07
0.06
Return Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
-23.8
-25.9
1.37
1.74
3.2 Flex
Procedure:
Testing was performed on samples subjected to the Impact Test. The connector - coupling is mounted onto the
swingarm of the 3M Flex Tester. A 0.5 kg load is attached to the cable 25 cm from the pivot point. The
connector is then cycled through 0°, +90°, 0°, -90°, 0°, about the center axis of the connector for 100 cycles. At
the completion of the test, the connector is measured for Insertion Loss and Return Loss.
Sample Size:
10
Results:
Wavelength
850
1310
Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
0.16
0.12
0.06
0.06
Return Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
-23.6
-26.1
1.02
1.50
3.3 Twist
Procedure:
Testing was performed on samples subjected to the Flex Test. The connector - coupling is mounted onto the
swingarm of the 3M Flex Tester and the swingarm is locked in the 0° position. A 15 N (3.3 lbs.) load is attached
to the cable 25 cm from the pivot point. The weight is rotated about the cable axis 2.5 revolutions in one
direction, reversed for 5 revolutions, and reversed for 5 more revolutions for a total of 10 cycles. At the
completion of the test, the connector is measured for Insertion Loss and Return Loss.
Sample Size:
10
Results:
Wavelength
850
1310
Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
0.15
0.11
0.08
0.05
5
Return Loss (dB)
Mean
Std. Dev.
-23.8
-26.2
0.96
1.46
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