Fiber to the home (FTTH) is spreading at breakneck speed, requiring telecommunications companies to connect and manage large quantities of optical fibers in the distributors of the access networks. As this can be complicated and the distributor room is often cramped, Wetzikon, Switzerland-based R&M, a developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network infrastructures, is expanding its PRIME family with two modules for single fiber management on network level 3.

These modules are compact fiber inserts for the various PRIME sub-racks and distribution frames, each with Source: R&M12 modem termination system compact splice trays with optionally four times shrink (HS) or crimp (ANT) splice contactors. The inserts support the two- and four-fiber concepts for FTTH networks. At least two fibers are required to connect a subscriber or a house to the broadband network. The four-fiber concept opens up the access network to more offers and more competition among internet service providers.

The new PRIME single termination unit (STU) and the PRIME single splice unit (SSU) are used to provide as many fibers as possible for subscribers in a PRIME rack and to administer them securely. The STU fiber unit accommodates plug connectors for up to 48 fiber terminations. R&M uses the connector types LC-D, SC and E-2000.

The SSU fiber unit is used to connect 48 fibers per splice. The sub-racks occupy a 3/4 height unit and can be retrofitted into existing 1U or 3U sub-racks.