Pigtail is often the final link in a PON (Passive Optical Network) It facilitates physical connectivity via a patch cord between the active and the PON this normally takes place in the ODF (Optical Distribution Frame) In a SMF (Single-Mode Fibre) network and 99.9% of all instances the "Fibre Pigtail" will be spliced to the cable. A spliced joint is used because it offers the best possible performance with minimal return loss and attenuation.
You can also find pigtails in the Distribution box, demarcation box, street cabinets, Central Office and POPS (Points of Presence) CMW (Cable Management Warehouse) can supply pigtails in a myriad of variations, Fibre type/length/colour /connector type/singles or colour coded sets. This article will provide basic knowledge to understand better "Fibre Pigtails".
Pigtails are mass-produced in termination laboratories, commonly known as a "Termination House."
With sophisticated polishing machines, they can achieve high throughput, excellent performance and a high yield, across a range of connector types.
Pigtail consists of a connector and a length of Fibre 1or 2 meters typically. This would be manufactured as a 2 or 4mtr length tested end to end via the connectors, then split to make up two single-ended pigtails.
The definition between Pigtail & Patch Cord is quite simple:
A length of fibre typically1-2mtrs, with a diameter of Ø250um / Ø900um with1connector terminated at one end. Normally spliced and routed within a splice tray, this gives protection to the fibre tail. Fig 1
Length of ruggedised simplex cable typically 0.5mtr – 10mtrs with a diameter between Ø1.8-3.00mm with connectors terminated at both ends. These patch cords are external, but within a cabinet environment and have the added protection of being up-jacketed. Fig 2
The combination of Connector Types, Fibre Types, and length gives significant variability, and the table below gives an indicator.
The table serves as an indicator of the wide variability associated with pigtails. This can be further complicated with different coloured jackets and connector bodies.
Connectors are generally application-specific with reasonable overlap as you transition from the basic ST to the high-end low loss E2000.
We then have to consider the performance of the connector and their application.
The accuracy and tolerance on an MMF OM1 are basic, compared to that of an OM3/4/5 with SMF demanding stringent accuracy due to the small core diameter of Ø9um this will help to minimise loss.
An MMF has a large core and can be more easily terminated and is more tolerant of any miss-match between fibre core and light source. There-fore the connector has a zirconia ferrule suitably tolerance and selected for MMF applications.
An SMF has a very small core typically Ø9um and will not tolerate any miss match, and it is imperative that this is as near perfect alignment as possible between 2 cores.
Once again, a zirconia ferrule is to be used; this has been carefully selected to have a near-perfect core alignment and is only selected for the low loss high performance on SMF applications.
As bandwidth and performance increases, then the connector type and performance also needs to improve.
Connector polish and finish will go from PC / UPC / APC see Table 1.
This can be clearly defined in the table below:
ST Fibre optic connector This has a Ø2.5mm ferrule; it is a legacy connector, demand is small. Little or no demand for new applications.
FC Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø2.5mm ferrule, it is a legacy connector used predominantly in the telecoms and MOD markets, demand is small. Little or no demand for new applications.
SC Fibre Optic Connector This also has Ø2.5mm ferrule available and still utilised in MM/SM – PC/UPC & APC. In today's market, it is a large connector and takes up valuable space in an ODF.
LC Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø1.25mm ferrule widely regarded almost as an industry standard. It is a small form factor connector occupying half the space of an SC connector. Equipment manufacturers of Switches and SFP as a default fit LC connectivity, not exclusively but significantly. The LC is available in PC/UPC & APC. Used extensively in data centre telecoms & data comms
E2000 Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø1.25mm ferrule, with a protective shield across the ferrule face. It is also a small form-fit connector. This is a high-performance connector and is used in telecoms on the major trunks. Whilst available in UPC/APC the majority of these connectors are APC applications.
MPO/MTP Specialist Ribbon application where pigtails are used to create fanouts normally multiples of 12.
By special request, it is possible to have "Pigtails" manufactured with armour or specific coatings for particular and special applications to include Harsh environments / Rodent protection / Water Proof / Fire / MOD.
CMW can supply pigtails singularly or as a set, colour coded, identity tags, coloured boots, short boots long boots. Wherever possible, we recommend a standard product.
Pigtails are manufactured in Termination Houses to exacting tolerances and specifications, typically to a high-quality standard. Pigtails can be terminated using 2 possible methods:
1/ Fusion Splice
2/ Mechanical Splice
This requires a specialist item of equipment "Fusion Splice Machine." See Fig 4.
Ideally, with a core alignment facility to ensure perfect alignment of the 2 fibres. This is the preferred method to attach a pigtail to a fibre cable (1 x pigtail per fibre in cable ) This method is a permanent solution where the ends of both fibres to be joined are melted and fused to give a near-perfect joint, with very low loss, this is then protected with a splice protector. This activity can be carried out inside/outside/street cabinet /street chamber or up a pole. This now a well refine process giving excellent yield and performance.
This device, the mechanical splice, has evolved and is now a very capable product. However, it will never be as good as a fusion splice. It is viewed generally as a temporary fix, where you need to get service operational quickly, and there is no access to a fusion splice machine. It is quick, easy and effective to deploy. Normally followed up and replaced with a fusion splice at some scheduled point in the future. The mechanical splice is cost-prohibitive where there are reasonable volumes. Its niche, it is a small scale temporary fix.
CMW carry a significant stock of 900um buffered pigtails. Buffer material can be PVC or Easy Strip buffer, to speed up splicing process, this combined with a large selection of connector types and fiber performance. If your requirement is non-standard, we would be happy to hear from you and enable us to provide a solution.
The Fibre Optic Pigtail is a significant and key component of a PON (Passive Optical Network). The pigtail is the preferred solution by most operators; it is reliable and cost-effective saving operators time and money. It also a demarcation point, its where the external cable can now be integrated to the Optical Distribution Centre normally in a POP or ODF. The ability to fuse a pigtail on a cabled fibre after pulling cable through the ducts and located on a cable frame is a major advantage and common practice within the industry.
You can also find pigtails in the Distribution box, demarcation box, street cabinets, Central Office and POPS (Points of Presence) CMW (Cable Management Warehouse) can supply pigtails in a myriad of variations, Fibre type/length/colour /connector type/singles or colour coded sets. This article will provide basic knowledge to understand better "Fibre Pigtails".
Fibre Pigtail Specification
Pigtails are mass-produced in termination laboratories, commonly known as a "Termination House."
With sophisticated polishing machines, they can achieve high throughput, excellent performance and a high yield, across a range of connector types.
Pigtail consists of a connector and a length of Fibre 1or 2 meters typically. This would be manufactured as a 2 or 4mtr length tested end to end via the connectors, then split to make up two single-ended pigtails.
Fibre Pigtail v Fiber Patch Cord
The definition between Pigtail & Patch Cord is quite simple:
Pigtail
A length of fibre typically1-2mtrs, with a diameter of Ø250um / Ø900um with1connector terminated at one end. Normally spliced and routed within a splice tray, this gives protection to the fibre tail. Fig 1
Patch Cord
Length of ruggedised simplex cable typically 0.5mtr – 10mtrs with a diameter between Ø1.8-3.00mm with connectors terminated at both ends. These patch cords are external, but within a cabinet environment and have the added protection of being up-jacketed. Fig 2
Fibre Optic Pigtail Types
The combination of Connector Types, Fibre Types, and length gives significant variability, and the table below gives an indicator.
The table serves as an indicator of the wide variability associated with pigtails. This can be further complicated with different coloured jackets and connector bodies.
Connectors are generally application-specific with reasonable overlap as you transition from the basic ST to the high-end low loss E2000.
We then have to consider the performance of the connector and their application.
The accuracy and tolerance on an MMF OM1 are basic, compared to that of an OM3/4/5 with SMF demanding stringent accuracy due to the small core diameter of Ø9um this will help to minimise loss.
An MMF has a large core and can be more easily terminated and is more tolerant of any miss-match between fibre core and light source. There-fore the connector has a zirconia ferrule suitably tolerance and selected for MMF applications.
An SMF has a very small core typically Ø9um and will not tolerate any miss match, and it is imperative that this is as near perfect alignment as possible between 2 cores.
Once again, a zirconia ferrule is to be used; this has been carefully selected to have a near-perfect core alignment and is only selected for the low loss high performance on SMF applications.
As bandwidth and performance increases, then the connector type and performance also needs to improve.
Connector polish and finish will go from PC / UPC / APC see Table 1.
Pigtail Buffer Colours v Fibre Type
This can be clearly defined in the table below:
Connector Types
ST Fibre optic connector This has a Ø2.5mm ferrule; it is a legacy connector, demand is small. Little or no demand for new applications.
FC Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø2.5mm ferrule, it is a legacy connector used predominantly in the telecoms and MOD markets, demand is small. Little or no demand for new applications.
SC Fibre Optic Connector This also has Ø2.5mm ferrule available and still utilised in MM/SM – PC/UPC & APC. In today's market, it is a large connector and takes up valuable space in an ODF.
LC Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø1.25mm ferrule widely regarded almost as an industry standard. It is a small form factor connector occupying half the space of an SC connector. Equipment manufacturers of Switches and SFP as a default fit LC connectivity, not exclusively but significantly. The LC is available in PC/UPC & APC. Used extensively in data centre telecoms & data comms
E2000 Fibre Optic Connector This has a Ø1.25mm ferrule, with a protective shield across the ferrule face. It is also a small form-fit connector. This is a high-performance connector and is used in telecoms on the major trunks. Whilst available in UPC/APC the majority of these connectors are APC applications.
MPO/MTP Specialist Ribbon application where pigtails are used to create fanouts normally multiples of 12.
Application & Environment
By special request, it is possible to have "Pigtails" manufactured with armour or specific coatings for particular and special applications to include Harsh environments / Rodent protection / Water Proof / Fire / MOD.
CMW can supply pigtails singularly or as a set, colour coded, identity tags, coloured boots, short boots long boots. Wherever possible, we recommend a standard product.
Pigtail Installation Fusion and Mechanical Splice
Pigtails are manufactured in Termination Houses to exacting tolerances and specifications, typically to a high-quality standard. Pigtails can be terminated using 2 possible methods:
1/ Fusion Splice
2/ Mechanical Splice
Fusion
This requires a specialist item of equipment "Fusion Splice Machine." See Fig 4.
Ideally, with a core alignment facility to ensure perfect alignment of the 2 fibres. This is the preferred method to attach a pigtail to a fibre cable (1 x pigtail per fibre in cable ) This method is a permanent solution where the ends of both fibres to be joined are melted and fused to give a near-perfect joint, with very low loss, this is then protected with a splice protector. This activity can be carried out inside/outside/street cabinet /street chamber or up a pole. This now a well refine process giving excellent yield and performance.
Mechanical
This device, the mechanical splice, has evolved and is now a very capable product. However, it will never be as good as a fusion splice. It is viewed generally as a temporary fix, where you need to get service operational quickly, and there is no access to a fusion splice machine. It is quick, easy and effective to deploy. Normally followed up and replaced with a fusion splice at some scheduled point in the future. The mechanical splice is cost-prohibitive where there are reasonable volumes. Its niche, it is a small scale temporary fix.
Supply
CMW carry a significant stock of 900um buffered pigtails. Buffer material can be PVC or Easy Strip buffer, to speed up splicing process, this combined with a large selection of connector types and fiber performance. If your requirement is non-standard, we would be happy to hear from you and enable us to provide a solution.
Conclusion
The Fibre Optic Pigtail is a significant and key component of a PON (Passive Optical Network). The pigtail is the preferred solution by most operators; it is reliable and cost-effective saving operators time and money. It also a demarcation point, its where the external cable can now be integrated to the Optical Distribution Centre normally in a POP or ODF. The ability to fuse a pigtail on a cabled fibre after pulling cable through the ducts and located on a cable frame is a major advantage and common practice within the industry.
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