HFBR-RXXYYY Series (POF)
HFBR-EXXYYY Series (POF)
Plastic Optical Fiber Cable and Accessories
for Versatile Link
Data Sheet
Cable Description
The HFBR-R/EXXYYY series of plastic fiber optic cables
are constructed of a single step-index fiber sheathed
in a black polyethylene jacket. The duplex fiber consists
of two simplex fibers joined with a zipcord web.
Standard attenuation and extra low loss POF cables are
identical except for attenuation specifications.
Polyethylene jackets on all plastic fiber cables com-
ply with UL VW-1 flame retardant specification (UL file
# E89328).
Cables are available in unconnectored or connectored
options. Refer to the Ordering Guide for part number
information.
Features
•
Compatible with Avago Versatile Link Family of con-
nectors and fiber optic components
•
1 mm diameter Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) in two
grades: low cost standard POF with 0.22 dB/m typical
attenuation, or high performance extra low loss POF
with 0.19 dB/m typical attenuation
Applications
•
Industrial data links for factory automation and plant
control
•
Intra-system links; board-to-board, rack-to-rack
•
Telecommunications switching systems
•
Computer-to-peripheral data links, PC bus extension
•
Proprietary LANs
•
Digitized video
•
Medical instruments
•
Reduction of lightning and voltage transient suscep-
tibility
•
High voltage isolation
500
α
R
– ATTENUATION – dB/km
400
300
200
100
620
640
660
680
700
λ
– WAVELENGTH – nm
Figure 1. Typical POF attenuation vs. wavelength.
HFBR-RXXYYY fig p2
Plastic Optical Fiber Specifications: HFBR-R/EXXYYY
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Storage and Operating Temperature
Recommended Operating Temperature
Installation Temperature
Short Term Tensile Single Channel
Force Dual Channel
Short Term Bend Radius
Long Term Bend Radius
Long Term Tensile Load
Flexing
Symbol
T
S,O
T
O
T
I
F
T
F
T
r
r
F
T
Min.
-55
-40
-20
25
35
Max.
+85
+85
+70
50
100
1
1000
Unit
°C
°C
°C
N
N
mm
mm
N
Cycles
Note
1
2
3, 4
4
Mechanical/Optical Characteristics,
T
A
= -40 to +85°C unless otherwise specified.
Parameter
Symbol
Min.
Typ.
[5]
Max.
Cable
Attenuation
Reference
Attenuation
Standard Cable,
Type "R"
Extra Low Loss,
Type "E"
Standard Cable,
Type "R"
Extra Low Loss,
Type "E"
α
O
α
R
NA
D
C
D
J
l/v
I
L
n
0.15
0.15
0.12
0.12
0.46
0.94
2.13
0.22
0.19
0.19
0.16
0.47
1.00
2.20
5.0
5.3
12
1.492
1.417
0.27
0.23
0.24
0.19
0.50
1.06
2.27
Unit
dB/m
dB/m
mm
mm
ns/m
g/m
nA
Condition
Source is HFBR-15XX
(660 mm LED, 0.5 NA)
= 50 meters
Source is 650 nm,
0.5 NA monochrometer,
= 50 meters
Note 7, Figure 1
>2 meters
Simplex Cable
Note 6
Without Connectors
50 kV, = 0.3 meters
Numerical Aperture
Diameter, Core and Cladding
Diameter, Jacket
Propagation Delay Constant
Mass per Unit Length/Channel
Cable Leakage Current
Refractive Index
Core
Cladding
Notes:
1. Installation temperature is the range over which the cable can be bent and pulled without damage. Below -20°C the cable becomes brittle
and should not be subjected to mechanical stress.
2. Short Term Tensile Force is for less than 30 minutes.
3. Short Term Bend Radius is for less than 1 hour nonoperating.
4. 90° bend on 25 mm radius mandrel. Bend radius is the radius of the mandrel around which the cable is bent.
5. Typical data are at 25°C.
6. Propagation delay constant is the reciprocal of the group velocity for propagation delay of optical power. Group velocity is v=c/n where c is
the velocity of light in free space (3xl0
8
m/s) and n is the effective core index of refraction.
7. Note that α
R
rises at the rate of about 0.0067 dB/°C, where the thermal rise refers to the LED temperature changes above 25°C. Please refer to
Figure 1 which shows the typical plastic optical fiber attenuation versus wavelength at 25°C.
2
Plastic Fiber Connector Styles
Connector Description
Four connector styles are available for termination of plastic
optical fiber: simplex, simplex latching, duplex and duplex
latching. All connectors provide a snap-in action when
mated to Versatile Link components. Simplex connectors
are color coded to facilitate identification of transmitter
and receiver connections. Duplex connectors are keyed
so that proper orientation is ensured during insertion. If
the POF cable/connector will be used at extreme operat-
ing temperatures or experience frequent and wide tem-
perature cycling effects, the cable/connector attachment
can be strengthened with an RTV adhesive (see Plastic
Connectoring Instructions for more detail). The connectors
are made of a flame retardant VALOX UL94 V-0 material
(UL file # E121562).
DUPLEX CONNECTOR STYLES
HFBR-4506 – Duplex
HFBR-4526
Duplex connectors provide convenient duplex cable
termination and are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion
into duplex configured modules. The duplex connector is
compatible with dual combinations of horizontal or vertical
Versatile Link components (e.g., two horizontal transmit-
ters, two vertical receivers, a horizontal transmitter with a
horizontal receiver, etc.). The duplex non-latching connec-
tor is available in parchment, off-white (HFBR-4506).
SIMPLEX CONNECTOR STYLES
HFBR-4501/4511 – Simplex
HFBR-4516 – Duplex Latching
, HFBR-4525
DUPLEX
CRIMP RING
HFBR-4526
The simplex connector provides a quick and stable connec-
tion for applications that require a component-to-connec-
tor retention force of 8 Newtons (1.8 lb.). These connectors
are available in gray (HFBR-4501) or blue (HFBR-4511).
HFBR-4503/4513 – Simplex Latching
HFBR-4525
The simplex latching connector is designed for rugged
applications requiring a greater retention force — 80 New-
tons ( 18 lb.) — than provided by a simplex nonlatching
connector. When inserting the simplex latching connector
into a module, the connector latch mechanism should be
aligned with the top surface of the horizontal modules,
or with the tall vertical side of the vertical modules. Mis-
alignment of an inserted latching connector into either
module will not result in a positive latch. The connector is
released by depressing the rear section of the connector
lever, and then pulling the connector assembly away from
the module housing.
The simplex latching connector is available in gray (HFBR-
4503) or blue (HFBR-4513).
The duplex latching connector is designed for rugged
applications requiring greater retention force than the
nonlatching duplex connector. When inserting the duplex
latching connector into a module, the connector latch
mechanism should be aligned with the top surface of the
dual combination of horizontal or vertical Versatile Link
components. The duplex latching connector is available
in gray (HFBR-4516).
Feedthrough/Splice
HFBR-4505/4515 Bulkhead Adapter
The HFBR-4505/4515 adapter mates two simplex connec-
tors for panel/bulkhead feedthrough of HFBR-4501/4511
terminated plastic fiber cable. Maximum panel thickness
is 4.1 mm (0.16 inch). This adapter can serve as a cable in-
line splice using two simplex connectors. The adapters are
available in gray (HFBR-4505) and blue (HFBR-4515). This
adapter is not compatible with POF duplex, POF simplex
latching, or HCS connectors.
3
Plastic Optical Fiber Connector Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Storage and Operating Temperature
Recommended Operating Temperature
Installation Temperature
Nut Torque
HFBR-4505/4515 Adapter
Symbol
T
S,O
T
O
T
l
T
N
Min.
-40
-40
0
Max.
85
85
70
0.7
100
Unit
°C
°C
°C
N-m
OzF-in.
Note
1
1
1
2
Notes:
1. Storage and Operating Temperatures refer to the ranges over which the connectors can be used when not subjected to mechanical stress.
Installation Temperature refers to the ranges over which connectors may be installed onto the fiber and over which connectors can be con-
nected and disconnected from transmitter and receiver modules.
2. Recommended nut torque is 0.57 N-m.
Plastic Optical Fiber Connector Mechanical/Optical Characteristics
T
A
= -40 to +85°C, Unless Otherwise Specified.
Parameter
Part Number
Retention Force,
Connector to
Versatile Link Transmit-
ters and Receivers
Tensile Force,
Connector to Cable
Adapter Connector
to Connector Loss
Retention Force
Connector to Adapter
Insertion Force,
Connector to Versatile
Link Transmitters and
Receivers
Simplex,
HFBR-4501/4511
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503/4513
Duplex,
HFBR-4506
Duplex Latching,
HFBR-4516
Simplex,
HFBR-4501/4511
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503/4513
Duplex, HFBR-4506
Duplex Latching,
HFBR-4516
HFBR-4505/4515 with
HFBR-4501/4511
HFBR-4505/4515 with
HFBR-4501/4511
Simplex,
HFBR-4501/4511
Simplex Latching,
HFBR-4503/4513
Duplex, HFBR-4506
Duplex Latching
HFBR-4516
Symbol
F
R-C
F
T
α
CC
F
R-B
F
I
Min.
7
3
47
11
7
4
50
15
8.5
8.5
14
14
0.7
7
Typ.
[1]
8
80
12
80
22
22
35
35
1.5
8
8
16
13
22
Max.
Units
N
N
Temp. °C
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
+25
-40 to +85
Note
2
3
2.8
30
35
46
51
dB
N
N
25
4, 5
6
Notes:
1. Typical data are at +25°C.
2. No perceivable reduction in retention force was observed after 2000 insertions. Retention force of non-latching connectors is lower at elevated
temperatures. Latching connectors are recommended for applications where a high retention force at high temperatures is desired.
3. For applications where frequent temperature cycling over temperature extremes is expected, please contact Avago Technologies for alternate
connectoring techniques.
4. Minimum and maximum limit for α
CC
for 0°C to +70°C temperature range. Typical value of α
CC
is at +25°C.
5. Factory polish or field polish per recommended procedure.
6. Destructive insertion force was typically at 178 N (40 lb.).
4
Step-by-Step Plastic Cable Connectoring Instructions
The following step-by-step guide describes how to termi-
nate plastic fiber optic cable. It is ideal for both field and
factory installation. Connectors can be easily installed
on cable ends with wire strippers, cutters and a crimping
tool.
Finishing the cable is accomplished with the Avago
HFBR-4593 Polishing Kit, consisting of a Polishing Fixture,
600 grit abrasive paper and 3 µm pink lapping film (3M
Company, OC3-14). The connector can be used immedi-
ately after polishing.
Materials needed for plastic fiber termination are:
1. Avago Plastic Optical Fiber Cable (Example: HFBR-
RUS500, HFBR-RUD500, HFBR-EUS500, or HFBR-
EUD500)
2. Industrial Razor Blade or Wire Cutters
3. 16 Gauge Latching Wire Strippers (Example: Ideal
Stripmaster
TM
type 45-092).
4. HFBR-4597 Crimping Tool
5. HFBR-4593 Polishing Kit
6. One of the following connectors:
a) HFBR-4501/4503 Gray Simplex/Simplex Latching
Connector and HFBR-4525 Simplex Crimp Ring
b) HFBR-4511/4513 Blue Simplex/Simplex Latching
Connector and HFBR-4525 Simplex Crimp Ring
c) HFBR-4506 Parchment (off-white) Duplex Connector
and HFBR-4526 Duplex Crimp Ring
d) HFBR-4516 Gray Latching Duplex Connector and
HFBR-4526 Duplex Crimp Ring
Step 1
The zip cord structure of the duplex cable permits easy
separation of the channels. The channels should be sepa-
rated a minimum of 100 mm (4 in) to a maximum of 150
mm (6 in) back from the ends to permit connectoring
and polishing.
After cutting the cable to the desired length, strip off
approximately 7 mm (0.3 in.) of the outer jacket with the
16 gauge wire strippers. Excess webbing on the duplex
cable may have to be trimmed to allow the simplex or
simplex latching connector to slide over the cable.
Step 2
Place the crimp ring and connector over the end of the
cable; the fiber should protrude about 3 mm (0.12 in.)
through the end of the connector. Carefully position the
ring so that it is entirely on the connector with the rim of
the crimp ring flush with the connector, leaving a small
space between the crimp ring and the flange. Then crimp
the ring in place with the crimping tool. One crimp tool is
used for all POF connector crimping requirements.
For applications with extreme temperature operation
or frequent temperature cycling, improved connector
to cable attachment can be achieved with the use of an
RTV (GE Company, RTV-128 or Dow Corning 3145-RTV)
adhesive. The RTV is placed into the connector prior to
insertion of the fiber and the fiber is crimped normally.
The connector can be polished after the RTV has cured
and is then ready for use.
Note: By convention, place the gray connector on the trans
mitter cable end and the blue connector on the receiver cable
end to maintain color coding (different color connectors are
mechanically identical).
Simplex connector crimp rings cannot be used with duplex
connectors and duplex connector crimp rings cannot be
used with simplex connectors because of size differences.
The simplex crimp has a dull luster appearance; the duplex
ring is glossy and has a thinner wall.
When using the duplex connector and duplex cable, the
separated duplex cable must be stripped to equal lengths
on each cable. This allows easy and proper seating of the
cable into the duplex connector.
5