Pre-connectorized multi-fiber drop cables and methods for deploying and assembling pre-connectorized multi-fiber drop cables

A pre-connectorized multifiber connector for passing pre-connectorized fiber optic cable through micro-duct comprising:

• a ferrule holder portion that is configured to hold a ferrule that is configured to terminate a fiber optic cable;
• a cap portion that is configured to receive the ferrule holder portion;
• wherein the ferrule holder portion includes a base portion and a stem portion that is configured to extend rearward from the base portion in a longitudinal direction;
• wherein an outer periphery of the base portion in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction includes a flat portion;
• wherein the flat portion includes two flat portions having first ends that are nearest to one another along the outer periphery connected to one another by a first curved portion, and wherein two second curved portions extend from second ends of the two flat portions that are furthest from one another along the outer periphery of the base portion;
• and
• wherein the cap portion includes an engagement portion that is configured to receive the ferrule holder portion so as to minimize an outer periphery of the cap portion in the transverse direction and configure the connector and a plurality of fiber optic cables that are pre-connectorized with the ferrule holder portion through a micro-duct that is configured to be installed in a duct having a diameter of at least 25 mm.

A multifiber connector for passing pre-connectorized fiber optic cable through micro-duct comprising:

• an engagement portion that is configured to hold a ferrule that is configured to terminate a fiber optic cable;
• a receiving portion that is configured to receive the engagement portion therein;
• wherein the engagement portion includes a base portion having a length in a longitudinal direction of the engagement portion and an outer periphery portion that extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the engagement portion;
• wherein the outer portion includes two flat portions having first ends that are nearest to one another along the outer periphery of the base portion connected one another by a first curved portion and wherein two second curved portions extend from second ends of the two flat portions that are furthest from one another along the outer periphery;
• and
• wherein the receiving portion is configured to receive the engagement portion therein and is shaped to minimize an outer periphery portion of the receiving portion in the transverse direction such that a plurality of fiber optic cables that are pre-connectorized with the connector are configured to pass through a micro-duct that is configured to be installed in a duct having a diameter of at least 25 mm.