Single-Fibre Underwater Fibre Optic Connector CCP — Cable Mount, 6,000m Depth, Expanded Beam

Single-Fibre Underwater Fibre Optic Connector — CCP (Cable Mount) — Overview

This single-fibre cable-mount (CCP) underwater fibre optic connector is designed for direct cable-to-cable optical connections in subsea systems rated to 6,000 metres standard depth. Using expanded beam ball lens technology, it transmits a single optical fibre circuit — single-mode or multi-mode — across an air gap between two spherical lenses, providing reliable, low-loss optical connectivity without physical contact between the fibre end-faces.

The CCP (Cable-to-Cable Push-pull) configuration enables direct in-line cable connections without requiring a panel mount or pressure housing penetration — ideal for mid-run fibre extensions, sensor cable connections, and instrument tether fibre joints on ROV and AUV systems.

Key Design Features

• Expanded beam ball lens technology — tolerates contamination; field-cleanable in seconds without specialist equipment
• Single fibre — single-mode or multi-mode — supports high-speed data, video, and telemetry applications
• 6,000 metre standard depth rating — covers the vast majority of commercial and scientific subsea applications
• CCP cable-mount (push-pull) configuration — direct cable-to-cable connection, no panel mount required
• Unlimited mating cycles — no optical surface contact, no wear, no degradation over repeated connections
• Stainless Steel AISI 316 standard housing — corrosion-resistant; Nickel Aluminium Bronze and Titanium options available
• Field re-terminable — the spherical lens design allows on-deck re-termination without polishing equipment
• Minimum form factor — smallest connector in the fibre optic series; ideal for compact AUV and sensor cable harnesses

Technical Specifications

Typical Applications

• ROV umbilical mid-run single-fibre extension joints for video and high-speed data signals
• AUV tether single-fibre optical connections to payload sensors and cameras
• Underwater acoustic modem fibre optic data interfaces
• Subsea instrument single-fibre optical power and data connections
• Cabled observatory single-fibre sensor-to-node optical links
• Compact sensor harness mid-run fibre connections in space-constrained systems

Why Expanded Beam — The Advantage Over Physical Contact Fibre Connectors

1. Tolerates Contamination — No Precision Polishing Required Subsea

Expanded beam technology enlarges the light beam to approximately 1.5 mm in diameter before it crosses the air gap between the two lenses. At this diameter, a dust particle or water droplet on the lens face occupies only a tiny fraction of the beam cross-section, causing negligible signal loss. Physical contact connectors focus light through a 9 µm core (single-mode) — a single dust particle can completely obstruct the beam and cause catastrophic signal loss. In subsea environments where cleaning is difficult or impossible, expanded beam is the only reliable choice.

2. Unlimited Mating Cycles — No Wear Mechanism

Physical contact connectors degrade with every mating cycle as the polished ferrule faces abrade against each other. Expanded beam connectors mate lens-to-lens across an air gap — there is no physical contact between the optical surfaces, no abrasion, and no degradation of optical performance over time. Unlimited mating cycles are qualified without any change in insertion loss.

3. Field Re-terminable — No Specialist Polishing Equipment Required

The spherical ball lens design allows the connector to be re-terminated in the field using a simple termination kit. The lens can be cleaned with a cotton swab in seconds. Physical contact connectors require precision polishing machines and inspection microscopes to achieve an acceptable end-face geometry — impractical on a vessel deck or at a shoreside deployment site.

4. Multiple Housing Materials for Any Environment

Available in Nickel Aluminium Bronze C63000, Stainless Steel AISI 316, and Titanium Grade 2 — allowing system designers to optimise for corrosion resistance, weight, or cost depending on mission profile and deployment duration.

5. Mixed Single-Mode and Multi-Mode in One Connector

Both single-mode and multi-mode fibres can be accommodated within the same connector body, enabling a single connector to serve mixed data (single-mode, long-distance) and video (multi-mode, short-distance) circuits simultaneously — reducing connector count and penetration points on the pressure housing.

Installation, Cleaning, and Maintenance Guidelines

Lens Cleaning Procedure

• Inspect the ball lens face under a 400× inspection microscope before every mating cycle — even minor contamination visible at this magnification should be removed before connecting.
• Clean the lens face with a lint-free cotton swab dampened with isopropyl alcohol (IPA, 99%+ purity). Allow to dry completely before mating — residual IPA causes temporary elevated insertion loss.
• Do not use dry swabs — they generate static charge that attracts particles back to the lens surface.
• Never touch the lens surface with bare fingers — skin oils cause persistent contamination that requires repeated cleaning cycles.

Mating Procedure

• Verify lens faces are clean and free of contamination on both connectors before mating.
• Align the connector keying features before applying axial force — do not rotate the connector during insertion if it is a push-pull (CCP) type.
• For threaded types (BCR/FCR), engage threads carefully and tighten to the specified torque — do not overtighten as this can distort the housing and affect optical alignment.
• Verify optical continuity with an optical power meter after mating — acceptable insertion loss should be within the connector's specified range.

Storage and Protection

• Always install protective dust caps on unmated connector faces during storage, transit, and any period when the connector is not in use.
• Store connectors in a clean, dry environment — the ball lens is robust, but contamination accumulation over extended storage will require cleaning before use.
• For long-term seabed deployment with one connector face unmated, use a pressure-rated protective cap rated to the full deployment depth.