New SFF optical connector
All,
Has anyone seen the LX.5 connector? I was shown one yesterday by someone
that is doing connector specifications evaluations for the next generation
of optical equipment. It has a more robust latch than is on the LC
connectors. It also has integrated covers that protect the ends of the
fiber plug and in the connector housing. I have been told that in meets
the same insertion life as the SC connector. The company that I work for
may not use SFF connectors because of the "bubba" factor, but it may be
worth looking at by the TF.
Field trials of equipment using LC connectors with 1.6mm fiber jackets are
having a much higher patch cord failure rate (~30%) than what is normally
seen with SC connectors with 2mm and 3mm fiber jackets. These failures are
fiber breaks within the jacket of the LC patch cord. The failure mechanism
is reported as "excessively rough handling", even though the installation
people took extra care. It may be that there is a point of diminishing
returns on small form factor connectors and cabling reliability because of
the "human" factor involved with installing and maintaining the
equipment. The LX.5 connector has a 1.7mm fiber jacket, so it may not be
any more robust for nominal data room deployment than the LC.
Thank you,
Roy Bynum