UJC logo

 

Universal Jointing Consortium

UJC logo

Universal
Jointing Consortium

General
Fusioon Splicer UJS S200The Fusion Splicer UJS-S200 is designed specifically for optical fiber submarine cable jointing technology, which is typically carried out on board cable ships.
This fusion splicer automatically aligns a pair of optical fibers in both the X and Y (horizontal and vertical) planes and then fuses them together with heat from an electric arc to form a low-loss splice. Improved image processing software of this fusion splicer enables precise core alignment and accurately estimated splice loss.
A tensile proof test that is carried out by applying tension to the fusion splice verifies the long-term reliability of the fiber splice. Following a successful proof test, a heat-shrinkable splice protection sleeve is installed over the bare glass fiber and cured in the built-in heater.

Applicability of Numerous Fiber Splicing Conditions
Since the beginning of optical submarine cable installation, a wide range of optical fibers have been qualified with Universal Jointing and in each case, the specific fiber splicing conditions have been provided for repairing and installation of the Universal Joints and the Universal Couplings. As supplied, the fusion splicer UJS-S200 is pre-loaded with over 430 fiber splicing conditions, so it is ready to splice the fibers deployed in the optical submarine cables.

Long Term Reliability with Low Failure Probability of Fiber Splice Point
Conventionally long term reliability with low failure probability requires a high rate of fiber splice proof testing. By utilizing the specific fiber handling mechanism, and with providing 3mm of fiber cleave length, the fusion splicer UJS-S200 minimizes the strains such as twist, bend and tension to the fiber splice with a relatively lower proof test level. By incorporating this advanced technology, a low failure probability of 1x10-6 % for the fiber splice can be achieved for 25 years of submarine cable service life.

Click on the following link to view our Privacy Notice:

pdfUJ Consortium Privacy Notice

 

UJ Consortium Member Jointer Training Schools

Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) Jointer Training School

Calais, France

Global Marine Jointer Training School

Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom

KDDI Cableships & Subsea Engineering Inc. (KCS) Jointer Training School

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

SubCom Jointer Training School

Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Full contact details of all UJ Consortium Training Schools are provided on the UJC Training Schools Contacts page.

 

UJ Consortium Sponsored Jointer Training Schools

The provision of consistent, high quality jointer training is essential for the successful transfer of Universal Jointing technology from the designers into the field. The following non-UJC member training schools’ facilities and instructors are sponsored by a UJC member and are Sponsored as providing ‘UJC sponsored’ jointer training and certification, ensuring that high quality training is given and that full traceability can be maintained.

Limitations: UJC Sponsored Training Schools may train only their own jointing personnel in Universal Jointing (UJ/UC and UQJ) technologies and must only use the staff trained by the UJC certified instructors for this purpose. UJC Sponsored Training School instructors cannot in turn train or certify other instructors.

SB Submarine Systems sponsored by Global Marine.

Wujing, Shanghai, PR China

LS Marine Solution Co. Ltd. sponsored by Global Marine.

Koeje-shi, Kyeongsangnam-do, Korea

 

ASNsm Alcatel Submarine Networks
GMSsm Global Marine
KCSsm Kokusai Cable Ship Company Limited
subcom h sm SubCom

Design and Specification

Universal Jointing equipment is designed for functionality, accuracy, portability and reliability, thus giving consistent, optimum results in the harsh shipboard marine environment. Designs and manufacturing methods are frequently reviewed to optimise performance and, where appropriate, to minimise jointing times.

The UJ Consortium strongly recommends the use of only the jointing equipment items specified in the UJ and UQJ Construction Manuals. Details of jointing equipment items common to all UJs and UCs are provided on the Jointing Equipment Page of the UJ Consortium website.

Inspection, Qualification and Calibration

The quality management systems of all of the UJ Consortium suppliers are accredited against the relevant standards (i.e. ISO 9001) and they apply rigorous measures to ensure that the Universal Jointing equipment they supply is inspected, tested and, where appropriate, calibrated against traceable standards. Manufacturers of assured quality are utilized for equipment manufacture, working from UJ Consortium approved and controlled drawings, using certified materials and inspected using measuring equipment that is calibrated against traceable standards.

Maintenance and Re-calibration

Universal Jointing equipment is supplied with an Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM). Current issues of the Operation and Maintenance Manuals are provided on the UJ Explorer data stick. The UJ Consortium strongly recommends equipment users to have suitably qualified technicians maintain the equipment by reference to the appropriate manual and to operate a regular re-calibration program where this is specified in the Operation and Maintenance Manual.

Purchase of Jointing Equipment

UJ, UC and UQJ jointing equipment can be purchased from any Consortium Member. Contact details of each of the UJ Consortium Members can be found on the Contacts Page of this website.

Ferrule Press Jaws

  1. Jointer Training and Qualification
  2. UJ/UC and UQJ Piece Part Quality
  3. Make an Enquiry
  4. Component Diagrams

Subcategories

UJ Consortium Contacts

FAQ's - General

  • 1.01 - What are the UJ products?

    The Universal Joint (UJ) is a solution for connecting different types of submarine optical telecommunication cables, regardless of design or manufacture, using common construction equipment and standard piece-parts in the joint.

    Building on the UJ principles, the UQJ (Universal Quick Joint) has been developed to connect smaller diameter un-repeatered submarine cables taking account of the simpler cable construction and the requirement for a faster and simpler process.

    The UC (Universal Coupler) is a solution for coupling types of submarine optical telecommunication cables to submerged housing (repeater, equalizer, branching unit), regardless of design or manufacture, using common construction equipment and standard piece-parts in the joint.

    UJ, UQJ and UC products are therefore jointing piece parts or jointing tools produced and sold by each Consortium Member.

    Read More

  • 1.02 - What is the UJC and who are the UJC?

    UJC is the short name of for the Universal Jointing Consortium made up of four members:

    - Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN)

    - Global Marine

    - KDDI Cableships & Subsea Engineering Inc. (KCS)

    - SubCom

    The UJC members share a common aim to cooperate on the development and maintenance of a standardised cable jointing technology for underwater cables known as Universal Jointing (UJ), Universal Coupling (UC) and Universal Quick Joint (UQJ).

    The origin of universal jointing for fibre optic cables goes back to the late 1980s, when AT&T, BT (Marine) Ltd and Les Cables de Lyon, formed a consortium to supply an universal jointing and coupling solution for installation and maintenance purposes. The aim was to supply a standard jointing technology platform that offers common tools and piece parts for assembly of joints in different cable types. By the early 1990s, the four members listed above were actively involved in the development of the universal jointing technology. The first consortium agreement was signed in 2000 to develop and improve the universal jointing technologies. The members have recently renewed the agreement to continuing their commitment and collaboration in this field.

    Today, the majority of maintenance authorities for undersea telecommunications cables deploy UJ technology and standards on their cable systems worldwide.

    Read More

  • 1.03 - What’s the difference between a UJ, a UC and a UQJ?

    The UJ (Universal Joint) and UC (Universal Coupling) are used in medium and long-haul submarine networks where repeaters or optical amplifiers are deployed.

    The UJ provides a connection between cables and the UC provides a connection between a cable and submerged plant optical housing such as a repeater or branching unit.

    The UQJ (Universal Quick Joint) is a cable-to-cable joint for use unpowered short-haul cable systems.

    Read More

  • 1.04 - How can I contact the UJC?

    Go to the 'Contact Us' page, where you will find a request form for communicating with the consortium. Our Co-ordinator will follow up your request/comments.

    You will also find the contact details of each Consortium Member, who can also forward your request to the consortium members.

    Read More

  • 1.05 - How quickly can I expect an answer to my enquiry?

    We aim to acknowledge receipt of your enquiry within 2 working days. Response time can vary depending on the nature of your enquiry. As a general rule, we target to provide an initial response within 10 working days from the date of receipt.

    Read More

  • 1.06 - What is a UJ bulletin?

    A UJ bulletin is an official communication about any universal jointing topic, which has been agreed by all Consortium Members. All UJC Bulletins can be found on our website: http://www.ujconsortium.com. Note: Official UJC Bulletins carry a UJ Consortium logo at the top of the Bulletin. For ease of reference, Bulletins are classified under 6 main categories:

    • Safety
    • New Product
    • Construction Document Change
    • Product Change
    • Information
    • Phase Out
    Read More

  • 1.07 - Is there a system or procedure to keep good track of UJ kits and piece parts?

    Traceability of components is one of the fundamentals of the UJC product and as any effective QA system, is assured in the supply and implementation of the technology. For the supply of UJC products, each individual UJC member, as suppliers of the KITs, maintains an effective traceability system for material, manufacturing and inspection records, traceable from the KIT number and unique serial number including on the KIT box labelling. In addition each separate part included within the kit has traceability labelling which allow for the same records to be retrieved.  As such, users of the UJ technology can put in place as well a system that records the sealed KIT’s serial number or details of unkitted piece parts used, through their own QA organisation. Establishing the traceability system in inventory is kits owner’s responsibility. For any enquiry on a KIT’s traceability records the provider of the kit should be contacted in the first instance giving the KIT and serial number. Where the supplier is not known the coordinator should be contacted.

    Read More

  • 1.08 - Does the UJC provide consultancy services?

    The UJC does not offer consultancy services but the individual consortium members may provide such service. Customers should contact directly individual consortium members for more information on such services.

    Read More

  • 1.09 - Does the UJC provide guidelines on jointing activities management?

    UJC members provide the training and qualification of UJ/UC/UQJ qualified jointers.

    Guidance / recommendation on the size and degree of qualification of operational jointing teams as well as jointing work organization, e.g. equipment sparing or QA organization is outside the UJC remit.  These activities are the responsibility of the companies using or providing marine services.

    Read More

  • 1.10 - Does UJC provide marine services?

    No. The UJC’s role is to collaborate on development of common jointing technology. Marine services are not part of the scope of the consortium.

    Read More
  • 1
ASNsmGMSL logoKCS logosubcom h sm