The opticalCON QUAD system is designed around four physical contact (PC) optical connectors, housed in a ruggedised latching body, suitable for point-to-point use in extreme environments such as touring, rental and outside broadcast. The cable connectors are supplied pre-assembled only onto a choice of four-fibre, or twelve-fibre triple-split breakout cables. The panel connector rear accepts two conventional LC-Duplex connectors. Unlike opticalCON DUO which will accept either opticalCON DUO assemblies or standard LC connectors at the front face, opticalCON QUAD will only mate with opticalCON QUAD cable assemblies at the front.
Neutrik have improved on the original opticalCON with the introduction of the opticalCON ADVANCED range, replacing the products listed here. This information will be updated shortly.
Fibres within both chassis and cable connectors are protected from dirt when unmated by integral, automatic, sealing-shutters with silicone gaskets, which lift when the connectors are mated. The shutters also block laser emission, should a source be left switched on inadvertently. Connector housings have an extremely hard-wearing ruthenium, dark bronze coloured, finish.
Multimode (MM), 50/125 micron, PC style assemblies are available as well as singlemode (SM), 9/125 micron, assemblies, in PC style. Please note that LC cables fitted to the rear of the chassis connector MUST match the mating opticalCON QUAD assembly type. Connections between MM 50 micron and either 62.5 micron or other fibre sizes may cause losses of 3dB or more.
Cable Connectors
The ruggedised, all-metal connector body houses four fibre ends and has a simple push-to-latch mating action; a pull-to-release outer sleeve allows un-mating. It incorporates a heavy-duty cable retention mechanism which attaches to the aramid yarn within the cable. In addition to the automatic sealing shutters, a rubber protective cap is fitted for use when unmated. When mated the connection is environmentally sealed up to IP65 (see chassis connector sealing options). Inserts are colour-coded to indicate multimode (black) and singlemode (blue). Triple-split cables have twelve cores which break out to three opticalCON QUAD connectors at each end, offering easy single-cable deployment and standard four-channel connectivity for multichannel point-to-point temporary installation.
Note: Cable connectors are pre-assembled onto cable and are not available as individual components.
Cable Assemblies
4M, 4S - opticalCON QUAD cable, MM or SM
This is a lightweight mobile field cable with rugged PUR jacket and excellent cable retention due to its aramid yarn wrap. Available in multimode (4M) or singlemode (4S) styles, suitable for demanding audio and broadcast application.
4XM - opticalCON QUAD X-treme armoured cable, MM
This has a double PUR jacket, with glass-yarn armouring offering resistance to chemicals, water, abrasion, cutting and rodent attack. Suitable for the most extreme touring, rental and outside broadcast conditions. Excellent cable retention is provided by an internal aramid yarn wrap. Singlemode assemblies are available to special order.
12S, 12SA - opticalCON QUAD triple-split cable, SM
This cable has twelve cores, with three OpticalCON QUAD break-out tails on each end. It is PUR jacketed throughout and incorporates a rugged, metal, strain-relief housing at the triple-split junction. Connectors are colour coded red, yellow and white; matching coloured gaskets are available for use with the panel connector. Multimode assemblies are available to special order.
Fibre assemblies are supplied either on an air-spool, in special opticalCON cases, or on an appropriate sized Schill cable-drum with cable-tail support-flange arms and 'docking' panel connector, depending on length and series of cable. Generally however, any lengths beyond 25 metres will be supplied on the Schill cable-drum.
Popular cable lengths are listed, custom lengths or configurations are available to special order.
Further technical data for the optical fibres is available, please see the linked resources.
Panel Connector
NO4FDW-R
The panel connector acts as a 'feed-through' and accepts two conventional LC-Duplex MM or SM connectors at the rear. It has an integral automatic sealing-shutter with silicone gaskets to protect the fibre ends and block laser emissions when unmated.
The connectors must be mounted on the front of cases, bulkheads or panels in a standard Neutrik 'D' cut-out and offer IP 52 sealing when mated. If mounting in a 'Universal Connection Panel', it is strongly recommended that the connectors are spaced alternately (horizontally) with blanking-plates, to allow sufficient access to the cable connector latching sleeve.
A sealing gasket (ordered separately) may be fitted behind the connector flange where environmental sealing up to IP65, when mated, is required. Although not required for sealing in wallbox, tailgate or termination panel applications (where the panels themselves are not sealed), six colours of gasket are available to identify either the fibre mode; multimode (black) or singlemode (blue), or the channel (red, yellow, white) when triple-split cables are used.
Note: The sealing gaskets are larger than the connector flange making them unsuitable for use on panels with designation strips and / or conventional 'D' cut-out separation (16 cut-outs in a 19 inch panel).
Dedicated, 2U, flat or angled panels are available, to accommodate up to 8 connectors with gaskets. See Canford Tailboard and Wallbox Termination Panels - Flat - Fibre - Unpopulated for flat or see Canford Tailboard and Wallbox Termination Panels - Angled - Fibre - Unpopulated for angled. NDO dummy plugs are also recommended for chassis connectors when not in use.
Couplers
These allow opticalCON QUAD cables to be joined inline. Three types are available, all are IP65 rated when mated, ruthenium finish.
Accessories
SCDX - Hinged Cover
These seal unmated 'D' size chassis connectors from water, dust and dirt and are rated at IP54. They are coloured to allow fibre mode coding.
NDO - Dummy Plug
Can be fitted into unused chassis sockets to avoid miss-wiring and protect against dust.
SCDR - Rear Cover
This soft plastic cover fits the rear end of several D-size chassis connectors including opticalCON QUAD. It is used to protect the gap between connector and cable. The protection cover works with all common wires, cables and fibres, simply cut off the cover end to the required diameter.
FOCD-CLETOP-S-B - Cleaning Tool - For cable connectors
This dry wiping-tape tool has an extended nose that cleans the fibre end without the need to disassemble the connector. Clean tape is automatically fed before each use.
FOCD-SFM-125 - Cleaning Tool - For chassis connectors
This dry wiping-tape tool cleans the fibre end once the LC connector has been removed from the opticalCON QUAD chassis. Clean tape is automatically fed before each use.