Qualification Test Report 501-586 26Feb09 Rev F LightCrimp* Plus Singlemode and Multimode LC Connector (Field Installable) 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Purpose Testing was perform ed on Tyco Electronics LightCrim p* Plus LC, singlem ode and m ultim ode, fiber optic connectors to determ ine their conform ance to the requirem ents of Tyco Electronics Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, which m eets the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. | 1.2. This report covers the optical, environm ental, and m echanical perform ance of LightCrim p Plus LC, singlem ode and m ultim ode, fiber optic connectors, m anufactured by Tyco Electronics, Fiber Optics Business Unit. Testing was perform ed between 17Jun04 and 09Oct07 on standard PC product term inated to 900 :m tight-buffered fiber, between 02Feb09 and 03Feb09 on APC digital product and between 20Sep06 and 14Nov06 for standard PC product term inated to 2.0 m m jacketed cable. The test file num bers for this testing are B049702-005, B072038-003, K414-008, and B108822-002. | | | | 1.3. | | Scope Conclusion LightCrim p Plus LC singlem ode standard PC fiber optic connectors, term inated to 900 :m tight-buffered fiber, m eet or exceed the optical, environm ental, and m echanical perform ance requirem ents of Tyco Electronics Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, and the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. | | | | | LightCrim p Plus LC singlem ode APC digital fiber optic connectors term inated to 900 :m tight-buffered fiber m eet the optical perform ance requirem ents of Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, and the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. Environm ental and m echanical perform ance are assum ed to be qualified by sim ilarity to the LightCrim p Plus LC singlem ode standard PC connector. | LightCrim p Plus LC singlem ode standard PC fiber optic connectors, term inated to 2.0 m m jacketed cable, m eet or exceed the optical, environm ental, and m echanical perform ance requirem ents of Tyco Electronics Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, and the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3, when two sim plex connectors are fastened together to form a duplex connector. | | | LightCrim p Plus LC m ultim ode fiber optic connectors, listed in paragraph 1.5, m eet the optical perform ance requirem ents of Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, and the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3, when term inated to 900 :m tight-buffered fiber or 2.0 m m jacketed cable. Environm ental and m echanical perform ance is assum ed to be qualified by sim ilarity to the singlem ode LightCrim p Plus LC connector. LightCrim p Plus LC XG fiber optic connectors, term inated to 900 :m tight-buffered fiber or 2.0 m m jacketed cable, are assum ed to be qualified to Product Specification 108-2189, Revision E, and the Optical Fiber Cabling Com ponents Standard ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 by sim ilarity to LightCrim p Plus LC m ultim ode 50/125 :m connectors. (c)2009 Tyco Electronics Corporation Harrisburg, PA All International Rights Reserved * Trademark | Indicates change 1 of 15 LOC B 501-586 1.4. Product Description Tyco Electronics LightCrim p Plus LC, singlem ode and m ultim ode, fiber optic connectors are field installable connectors that are used in data com m unication and telecom m unications networks and equipm ent. | | LightCrim p Plus LC APC digital fiber optic connectors can be used in digital applications where return loss requirem ents are less than 55 dB. 1.5. Test Specim ens Test specim ens were m anufactured using norm al production m eans and random ly selected for test. Specim ens term inated to 900 :m buffered fiber consisted of a sim plex LightCrim p Plus LC connector m ated to an epoxy-style LC connector and the following supplies outlined below. Specim ens term inated to 2.0 m m jacketed cable utilized zipcord cable and consisted of two LightCrim p Plus LC connectors fastened together with a duplex clip to form a duplex specim en. LightCrim p Plus connectors m ated to epoxy-style LC connectors to form a m ated connector pair. Component Identification Test Group | | Fiber size (micron/micron) | | Termination cable type (launch) 900 :m Tight Buffered Fiber, SM, LSZH | | | Termination cable PN 0-1594408-0 | | | | | | 1 2 3 4 9/125 5 6 50/125 62.5/125 5599208-6 599204-2 Connector kit PN 1754482-1 599200-6 6754482-1 1754483-2 1754483-1 LC, Simplex Coupling receptacle PN 1457062-1 Test lead connector type LC, Simplex, SM Mating connector kit PN (receive) 1588710-1 1938086-3 9 10 11 2.0 mm OFNP Zipcord Cable, SM 900 :m Tight Buffered Fiber 6457471-6 6828209-6 LightCrimp Plus LC, LightCrimp Plus Jacketed, Simplex, LC, APC Digital SM (see Note) LightCrimp Plus LC, Simplex, MM Coupling receptacle type 8 9/125 900 :m 900 :m 900 :m Tight Buffered Fiber, Tight Buffered Fiber, Tight-Buffered Fiber, Graded Index, MM Graded Index, MM SM, SMF-28e 400/400 MHz-Km 160/500 MHz-Km LightCrimp Plus LC, Simplex, SM Connector type 7 1918626-1 2064181-1 LC, Duplex LC, Duplex 6457567-4 6457567-4 LC, Simplex, MM LC, Duplex, SM, 1.6 to 2.0 mm LC/APC, SM Simplex, 2.0 mm 1588706-1 6588711-1 1828588-1 | Test specimen quantity (see Note) 8 8 8 10 24 24 8 8 8 8 30 | Control cable required 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 NOTE Rev F Two simplex LightCrimp Plus LC connectors are fastened together with LightCrimp Plus LC duplex clip PN 1754371-1 to form a duplex specimen. Refer to Product Specification 108-2189 for minimum specimen quantities required. 2 of 15 501-586 1.6. Qualification Test Sequence Test Groups | Test or Examination 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Test Sequence (a) | Visual and mechanical inspection 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | Attenuation (insertion loss) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 | Return loss 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Temperature life 4 4 Low temperature 5 5 Humidity, steady state 6 6 Temperature cycling, Part 1 (b) 7 7 Temperature cycling, Part 2 (b) 8 Cable retention, 0 degree 4 Cable retention, 90 degree 5 Flex 6 6 Twist 7 7 Strength of coupling mechanism 8 Impact 9 Mating durability NOTE Rev F (a) (b) (c) 5 4 5 4 4 8 4 4 The numbers indicate the sequence in which tests were performed. Test is not required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. Key FOCIS-10 dimensions were verified on a quantity of 32 specimens from Groups 1, 2, 3 and 7. 3 of 15 501-586 2. SUM M ARY OF TESTING 2.1. Visual and Mechanical Inspection - All Groups All specim ens subm itted for testing were m anufactured by Tyco Electronics, and were inspected and accepted by the Product Assurance Departm ent of the Fiber Optics Business Unit. For specim ens in Test Groups 1, 2, 3 and 7 (total quantity of 32), 6 dim ensions were verified and m et criteria per FOCIS 10 Fiber Optic Connector Interm ateability Standard - Type LC, TIA-604-10-B. 2.2. Initial Optical Perform ance - All Groups All attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specification requirem ents. Attenuation and return loss were m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm for singlem ode and 850 and 1300 nm for m ultim ode. Histogram s for attenuation data are provided in the Appendix. Attenuation (Insertion Loss) and Return Loss - Requirem ents for New Product (dB) Performance Requirements Singlemode 1310 and 1550 nm Multimode 850 and 1300 nm Maximum allowed attenuation for any individual specimen 0.75 0.75 Minimum allowed return loss for any individual specimen 26 20 Attenuation (Insertion Loss) and Return Loss - Actual for New Product (dB) Test Groups Rev F Maximum and Median Values for Attenuation Minimum and Median Values for Return Loss Singlemode 1310 nm 1550 nm 1310 nm 1550 nm | Groups 1, 2 and 3, Standard PC (900 :m tight buffered fiber) 0.63 maximum 0.21 median 0.42 maximum 0.19 median 46 minimum 55 median 45 minimum 57 median | Group 4, Standard PC (900 :m tight-buffered fiber) 0.41 maximum 0.20 median 0.34 maximum 0.22 median 48 minimum 56 median 51 minimum 58 median | | Groups 7, 8, 9 and 10, Standard PC (2.0 mm jacketed cable) 0.49 maximum 0.21 median 0.51 maximum 0.19 median 31 minimum 54 median 31 minimum 55 median | | Group 11, APC Digital (900 um tight-buffered fiber) 0.61 maximum 0.32 median 0.51 maximum 0.30 median 50 minimum 56 median 53 minimum 64 median Multimode 850 nm 1300 nm 850 nm 1300 nm Group 5 (50/125) (900 :m tight-buffered fiber) 0.43 maximum 0.17 median 0.34 maximum 0.13 median 24 minimum 40 median 24 minimum 41 median Group 6 (62.5/125) (900 :m tight-buffered fiber) 0.47 maximum 0.17 median 0.52 maximum 0.13 median 34 minimum 37 median 34 minimum 38 median 4 of 15 501-586 2.3. Attenuation, Attenuation Increase and Return Loss - Groups 1-4 and 7-10 All attenuation, attenuation increase and return loss m easurem ents m et the specification requirem ents. All m easurem ents were recorded at 1310 and 1550 nm for 9/125 :m fiber size. Values shown in the table below represent m axim um attenuation, m axim um attenuation increase and m inim um return loss. Requirements (1310 and 1550 nm) Group Condition 1 During After Before During After Before During After IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 0.37 NA 0.36(IL) 45(RL) 0.31 NA 0.29(IL) 52(RL) 0.36 0.04 0.35(IL) 47(RL) 0.29 0.05 0.29(IL) 45(RL) 0.35 0.03 0.36(IL) 42(RL) 0.29 0.02 0.29(IL) 44(RL) NA 0.75 Humidity, steady state 0.3 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.4 Temperature cycling, Part 1 (Note 2) NA NA NA 0.36 NA 0.36(IL) 41(RL) 0.29 NA 0.29(IL) 45(RL) Temperature cycling, Part 2 (Note 2) NA NA NA 0.31 NA 0.29(IL) 41(RL) 0.26 NA 0.26(IL) 45(RL) 0.63 0.61(IL) 0.01(IL8) 48(RL) 0.42 0.43(IL) 0.01(IL8) 50(RL) 0.61 0.57(IL) 0.00(IL8) 48(RL) 0.43 0.38(IL) 0.00(IL8) 50(RL) 0.68(IL) 34(RL) 0.38 0.68 0.67(IL) 34(RL) 0.47 0.46(IL) 37(RL) 0.61 0.61(IL) 43(RL) 0.43 0.43(IL) 46(RL) 0.56 0.60(IL) 48(RL) 0.41 0.44(IL) 50(RL) 0.30(IL) 48(RL) 0.28 0.41(IL) 49(RL) 0.34 0.59(IL) 0.27(IL8) 53(RL) 0.35 Cable retention, 0 degree 0.75(IL) 0.5(IL8) 26(RL) Cable retention, 90 degree 2 Flex 0.75 0.57 NA Twist 0.75(IL) 26(RL) Strength of coupling mechanism Impact 3 Mating durability 0.75 NA Strength of coupling mechanism 4 | 5 6 Actual (1550 nm) Before Temperature life Low temperature Actual (1310 nm) Cable retention, 0 degree Attenuation and Return loss 0.75 NA 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.33 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.41 0.75(IL) 0.5(IL8) 26(RL) 0.41 NA NA NA NA NA 0.47(IL) 37(RL) 0.30(IL) 45(RL) 0.35(IL) 52(RL) NA 0.51(IL) 0.22(IL8) 53(RL) See paragraph 2.2. Attenuation, Change in Attenuation, Attenuation Increase and Return Loss (continued) Rev F 5 of 15 501-586 Requirements (1310 and 1550 nm) Group Condition During After Before During After Before During After IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 IL IL8 IL, RL, IL8 0.50 NA 0.53(IL)43( RL) 0.37 NA 0.43(IL) 41(RL) 0.53 0.02 0.54(IL) 38(RL) 0.43 0.07 0.42 (IL) 37 (RL) 0.52 0.02 0.53(IL) 38(RL) 0.41 0.02 0.40(IL) 37(RL) NA 0.75 0.3 7 Humidity, steady state 8 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.4 Temperature cycling Part 1 (see Note) NA NA NA 0.52 NA 0.54(IL) 38(RL) 0.40 NA 0.43(IL) 36(RL) Strength of coupling mechanism 0.75 NA 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.32 NA 0.35(IL) 39(RL) 0.36 NA 0.35(IL) 33(RL) 0.41 0.46(IL) 0.05(IL8) 42(RL) 0.55 0.58(IL) 0.04 (IL8) 35(RL) 0.46 0.63(IL) 0.27(IL8) 42(RL) 0.58 0.60(IL) 0.26(IL8) 35(RL) 0.63 0.71(IL) 42(RL) 0.60 0.60(IL) 35(RL) 0.71 0.67(IL) 42(RL) 0.60 0.58(IL) 35(RL) 0.40 0.49(IL) 41(RL) 0.52 0.45(IL) 36(RL) 0.51(IL) 32(RL) 0.55 Cable retention, 0 degree 0.75(IL) 0.5(IL8) 26(RL) Cable retention, 90 degree 9 0.75 NA NA Flex 0.75(IL) 26(RL) Twist Impact | | | 10 Mating durability 11 Attenuation and Return Loss NOTE Actual (1550 nm) Before Temperature life Low temperature Actual (1310 nm) 0.75 NA 0.75(IL) 26(RL) 0.50 NA N/A NA 0.52(IL) 31(RL) See paragraph 2.2. Test is not required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 or 108-2189. (IL) - Insertion Loss (Attenuation) (IL8) - Insertion Loss (Attenuation) Increase (RL) - Return Loss Attenuation, Attenuation Increase and Return Loss (end) 2.4. Tem perature Life - Groups 1 and 7 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or term inated fiber after tem perature life. All attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et specified lim its before and after test. 2.5. Low Tem perature - Groups 1 and 7 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or term inated fiber and no increase in attenuation beyond the specified lim it during low tem perature exposure. All attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et requirem ents before and after test. Rev F 6 of 15 501-586 2.6. Hum idity, Steady State - Groups 1 and 7 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or term inated fiber and no increase in attenuation beyond the specified lim its during steady state hum idity. All attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et requirem ents before and after test. 2.7. Tem perature Cycling, Part 1 - Groups 1 and 7 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or term inated fiber due to tem perature cycling exposure. Although this test is not required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3, all attenuation and return loss m easurem ents recorded before and after tem perature cycling still m et the optical perform ance lim its stated in ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. 2.8. Tem perature Cycling, Part 2 - Group 1 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or term inated fiber due to tem perature cycling exposure. Although this test is not required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3, all attenuation and return loss m easurem ents recorded before and after tem perature cycling still m et the optical perform ance lim its stated in ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. 2.9. Cable Retention, 0 Degree - Groups 2, 4 and 9 There was no evidence of fiber pullout, or other dam age to the connector or attached fiber and no increase in attenuation beyond the specified lim its after cable retention. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after the 0 degree cable retention test. 2.10. Cable Retention, 90 Degree - Groups 2 and 9 There was no evidence of fiber pullout, or other dam age to the connector or attached fiber and no increase in attenuation beyond the specified lim its after 90 degree cable retention. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after the 90 degree cable retention test. 2.11. Flex - Groups 2 and 9 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or attached fiber. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after flex testing. 2.12. Twist - Groups 2 and 9 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or attached fiber. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after the twist test. 2.13. Strength of Coupling Mechanism - Groups 2, 4 and 8 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or attached fiber. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after strength of coupling m echanism test. 2.14. Im pact - Groups 2 and 9 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector due to im pact testing. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after test. 2.15. Durability - Groups 3 and 10 There was no evidence of physical dam age to the connector or attached fiber. Attenuation and return loss m easurem ents m et the specified lim its before and after durability. Rev F 7 of 15 501-586 3. TEST M ETHODS The singlem ode environm ental facility is an autom ated, TIA-455-20B com pliant test system . Following the installation of the specim ens, the sequential testing was perform ed. Multim ode optical tests and som e singlem ode m echanical tests were obtained using m anually operated TIA-455-20B com pliant test equipm ent. Initial specim en installation was perform ed according to TIA/EIA-455-171A procedures. Following the installation of the specim ens, the sequential testing was perform ed. 3.1. Visual and Mechanical Inspection Product drawings and inspection plans were used to exam ine the specim ens. They were exam ined visually and functionally. Thirty-two specim ens were m easured to verify conform ance to Dim ensions B, D, G, H1, H2 and S in the FOCIS 10 Fiber Optic Connector Interm ateability Standard - Type LC, TIA-604-10-B. Other dim ensions not m easured on actual test specim ens are assum ed to be com pliant with FOCIS 10 dim ensions from Tyco Electronics First Article approval, which included verification of product drawings per the dim ensions specified in TIA-604-10-B. 3.2. Attenuation (Insertion Loss) All singlem ode attenuation was m easured in accordance with TIA/EIA-455-171A, Method D3 processes, except that the launch was part of the specim en under test and was not reference quality. The initial optical power through each launch fiber was m easured. The LightCrim p Plus LC connector was term inated to the fiber and optical power was m easured from the connector end. The LightCrim p Plus connector was then m ated to an epoxy-style LC connector and optical power was m easured from the receive fiber. Attenuation was calculated by taking the difference between the first and third m easurem ents. The receive fiber was then spliced to a test lead attached to the optical m easurem ent equipm ent. Optical power readings were com pensated by changes in a source m onitor cable. In cases where a control cable was also used and exceeded lim its stated in the specification, the change in the control cable was also factored into the loss All m ultim ode attenuation was m easured in accordance with TIA/EIA-455-171A, Method D1 processes, except that the launch was part of the specim en under test and was not reference quality. The initial optical power through each launch fiber was m easured. The LightCrim p Plus LC connector was term inated to the fiber and optical power was m easured from the connector end. The LightCrim p Plus connector was then m ated to an epoxy-style LC connector and optical power was m easured from the receive fiber. Attenuation was calculated by taking the difference between the first and third m easurem ents. Optical power readings were com pensated by changes in a source m onitor cable. 3.3. Return Loss Return loss was m easured in accordance with TIA/EIA-455-107A or TIA/EIA-455-8. A single m easurem ent was recorded for return loss. Return loss was m easured initially and after each test evaluation. 3.4. Attenuation Increase Increase in attenuation was calculated by taking the difference between the initial m easurem ent before test and the during/after m easurem ents for each test as applicable. Attenuation increase represents the m axim um change in attenuation that results from a decrease in optical power (degraded perform ance). Rev F 8 of 15 501-586 3.5. Tem perature Life Mated specim ens were subjected to 60/C for a period of 96 hours (4 days). Optical perform ance for each sam ple was recorded before and after exposure with the specim ens in place in the test cham ber. Final optical perform ance was recorded 2 hours after the cham ber's return to am bient conditions. 3.6. Low Tem perature Mated specim ens were subjected to -10/C for a period of 96 hours (4 days). Optical perform ance for each sam ple was recorded before and after exposure with the sam ples in place in the test cham ber and at 10 m inute intervals throughout the exposure. Final optical perform ance was recorded 2 hours after the cham ber's return to am bient conditions. 3.7. Hum idity, Steady State Mated specim ens were preconditioned at 50 5/C and low hum idity for 24 hours then brought to am bient for at least 1 hour before starting hum idity exposure of 40 2/C at 90 to 95% RH for a period of 96 hours (4 days). Optical perform ance for each specim en was recorded before and after hum idity exposure with the specim ens in place in the test cham ber and at 10 m inute intervals throughout the exposure. Final optical perform ance was recorded 2 hours after the cham ber's return to am bient conditions. 3.8. Tem perature Cycling, Part 1 Mated specim ens were subjected to 5 cycles between -10 and 60/C with 1 hour dwells at each tem perature extrem e. Ram p rate was 1/C per m inute. Each cycle started with a cold ram p/dwell of -10/C then followed by a hot ram p/dwell to 60/C. Optical perform ance was recorded at am bient before and after exposure with the specim ens in place in the test cham ber and at 10 m inute intervals throughout the exposure. 3.9. Tem perature Cycling, Part 2 Mated specim ens were subjected to 5 cycles between -40 and 70/C with 1 hour dwells at each tem perature extrem e. Ram p rate was 1/C per m inute. Each cycle started with a cold ram p/dwell of -40/C then followed by a hot ram p/dwell to 70/C. Optical perform ance was recorded at am bient before and after exposure with the specim ens in place in the test cham ber and at 10 m inute intervals throughout the exposure. Tem perature exposure is m ore harsh than the range specified in ANSI/TIA-568-C.3. 3.10. Cable Retention, 0 Degree A. Group 2 Specim ens term inated to 900 :m buffered fiber were subjected to a sustained load of 2.2 N [0.5 lbf] for a m inim um of 5 seconds (load m eets TIA/EIA-568-B.3; see Group 4 for ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 perform ance). An adapter was secured to the test fixture. The tensile load was m anually applied by wrapping the buffered fiber around a m andrel at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the connector boot of a m ated specim en. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. B. Group 4 Specim ens were tested sim ilarly to Group 2 except the load was 5 N [1.1 lbf] (m eets ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ent). Load was applied at a rate of 0.5 N per second and held for a m inim um of 5 seconds. Rev F 9 of 15 501-586 C. Group 9 For connectors term inated to jacketed cable with strength m em bers, a load of 50 N [11.24 lbf] was applied to a duplex specim en for a m inim um of 5 seconds (m eets ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ent). A duplex adapter was secured to the test fixture. The tensile load was m anually applied by wrapping the jacketed cable around a 7.6 cm [3 in] m andrel at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the connector. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. 3.11. Cable Retention, 90 Degree Specim ens term inated to 900 :m buffered fiber were subjected to a sustained load of 2.2 N [0.5 lbf] for a m inim um of 5 seconds (load is slightly greater than ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ent). An adapter was secured to the test fixture. The load was m anually applied at a 90 degree pull angle by wrapping the buffered fiber around a m andrel at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the connector boot of a m ated specim en. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. For connectors term inated to jacketed cable with strength m em bers term inated to the connector, a load of 19.4 N [4.4 lbf] was applied to a duplex specim en for a m inim um of 5 seconds. A duplex adapter was secured to the test fixture. The load was m anually applied at a 90 degree pull angle by wrapping the jacketed cable around a 7.6 cm [3 in] m andrel at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the connector. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. 3.12. Flex Specim ens were subjected to 100 cycles of fiber flexing. The flex arc was 90 degree from a vertical position. Specim ens were tested at a rate of approxim ately 15 cycles per m inute. A m andrel was used to apply a tensile load to the buffered fiber or cable at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the boot of a m ated connector. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. For 900 :m buffered fiber, the load used was 2.2 N [0.5 lbf] (slightly greater load than required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3). For jacketed cable (with strength m em bers term inated to the connector), a load of 4.9 N [1.1 lbf] (m eets ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ent) was applied to a m ated, duplex specim en. 3.13. Twist Specim ens were m anually subjected to 10 cycles of twist. A m andrel was used to apply a tensile load to the buffered fiber or cable at a point approxim ately 23 cm [9 in] from the ferrule endface of a m ated specim en. The twist m otion for each cycle was 2.5 revolutions about the axis of the fiber. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. For 900 :m buffered fiber, the load used was 2.2 N [0.5 lbf] (slightly greater load than required by ANSI/TIA-568-C.3). For jacketed cable (with strength m em bers term inated to the connector), a load of 15 N [3.4 lbf] (m eets ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ent) was applied to a m ated, duplex specim en. 3.14. Strength of Coupling Mechanism A. Groups 2 and 8 A 33 N [7.4 lbf] tensile load (m eets TIA/EIA-568-B.3; see Group 4 for ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 perform ance) was applied between the connector plug and adapter at a rate of 25.4 m m [1 in] per m inute. The load was sustained for a m inim um of 5 seconds. Optical perform ance was m easured before and after test with the load rem oved. Rev F 10 of 15 501-586 B. Group 4 Specim ens were tested sim ilarly to Groups 2 and 8 except the load was 40 N [9.0 lbf] and was applied at a rate of 2 N [0.45 lbf] per second (m eets ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ents). 3.15. Im pact An unm ated connector was dropped from a height of 1.8 m [70.9 in] onto a concrete slab (exception to ANSI/TIA-568-C.3) while the fixed end was m ounted at a height of 0.60 m [2 ft] with cable length of 2 m [79 in]. A ferrule cap was used to protect the fiber endface. The im pact exposure was perform ed 8 tim es. Initial optical perform ance was recorded before the specim en was unm ated and exposed to testing. After com pletion of the 8 im pacts, each connector was inspected, cleaned and re-m ated before recording final optical m easurem ents. Test drop height and duration were harsher criteria than ANSI/TIA-568-C.3 requirem ents. 3.16. Durability The launch connector of each m ated specim en was subjected to 500 cycles of durability. Specim ens were m anually cycled at a rate not in excess of 300 cycles per hour. The connector and adapter were cleaned as necessary per m anufacturer's instructions. Attenuation and return loss were m easured before and after test. Specim ens were unm ated, cleaned, inspected, and re-m ated before final optical m easurem ents. Rev F 11 of 15 501-586 APPENDIX Histograms of Mated Pair Attenuation for LightCrimp Plus LC Connector Rev F 12 of 15 501-586 Rev F 13 of 15 501-586 Rev F 14 of 15 501-586 Rev F 15 of 15