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Universal Jointing Consortium

UJC logo

Universal
Jointing Consortium

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

  1. 1.06 - What is a UJ bulletin?
  2. 1.07 - Is there a system or procedure to keep good track of UJ kits and piece parts?
  3. 1.08 - Does the UJC provide consultancy services?
  4. 1.09 - Does the UJC provide guidelines on jointing activities management?

FAQ's - Training

  • 4.01 - Where can I get training for UJ/UQJ?

    Each Consortium Member runs a Training School that offers training and mentoring on every aspect of the construction of UJ/UC/UQJ joints on UJC qualified cables. The courses range from a basic course for jointers with no previous experience, to more advanced courses for senior personnel.

    The provision of consistent, high quality jointer training is essential for the successful transfer of Universal Jointing technology from the designers into the field. 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.

    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.

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  • 4.02 - What is UJ Training certification?

    UJ training certification is the process by which jointers are trained to the UJ/UQJ/UC techniques applicable to specific cable types/families. When jointers have successfully completed the appropriate training course, they receive a certificate from the training school attesting that they are qualified on the relevant UJ/UQJ/UC techniques.

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  • 4.03 - What checks should cable owners make on the qualifications of jointers who will work on their cable system?

    For the safe and reliable construction of joints, the UJ Consortium strongly recommends that cable owners check with their marine service provider the qualification status of jointers who will work on their submarine cable system(s) to verify that they have been appropriately trained and are currently in qualification as certified by a UJC training school or one that is formally linked to a UJC training school. Only by doing this can cable owners be sure that jointers have access to the latest processes and techniques, which have been transferred directly to the training schools by the UJ Consortium’s Design Authorities.

    If in doubt, check with the UJC Training School who issued the certificate. Only certificates showing reference to one of the UJC Members are recognised by the UJ Consortium. Please see the UJC Training School Contacts page for details. For further questions, please use the Enquiry Form.

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