Fiber optic harness having reduced weight and bulk, and method

Abstract

A fiber optic harness assembly having reduced weight and bulk comprises a plurality of optical fibers and loose tube protective buffers therefor. At least two of the optical fibers and corresponding buffers are routed commonly along a first branch of the harness and respectively along the second and third branches of the harness. Similarly, strength elements extending parallel to corresponding optical fibers are routed commonly along the first branch to the intersection whereat the strength elements are divided into separate portions for extension respectively along the second and third branches. The strength elements and buffered optical fibers coextending along the harness branches are surrounded and held bundled together in contiguous relationship by respective branch portions of an outer jacket or sheath. The ends of the branches are terminated by connectors which have provision for terminating the strength elements to a connector body independently of optical contacts at the ends of the optical fibers, thereby to isolate the optical contacts from mechanical loads applied to the harness. The harness assembly can be repaired by detaching the optical contact from the end of the optical fiber to be repaired, withdrawing the optical fiber from the protective buffer, inserting a new optical fiber into the protective buffer, and connecting an optical contact to one or both ends of the new optical fiber.