FAT Pre-connectorized Terminal Box

A FAT (Fiber Access Terminal) pre-connectorized terminal box is an outdoor fiber distribution enclosure where the PLC splitter, pigtails, and adapter ports are factory-installed and factory-tested before the enclosure is shipped. The term "pre-connectorized" means that subscriber drop cables connect to the FAT box by simply plugging pre-terminated patch cords into the adapter ports - no on-site fiber splicing or connector termination is required at the subscriber port level. A standard fiber distribution box (FDB) arrives as an empty enclosure that requires field technicians to install the splitter, splice the pigtails to the feeder cable and adapter pigtails, and terminate or splice each subscriber port on-site. The GL-FTB-10E is fully pre-connectorized: it arrives with 10 factory-tested SC waterproof adapter ports, an integrated PLC splitter, and routed pigtails ready for subscriber connection.

These terms describe different distribution box types used at different positions in the FTTH ODN: FAT (Fiber Access Terminal) - the general term for any distribution box at the feeder-to-drop cable junction, typically with a PLC splitter inside. The GL-FTB-10E is a FAT. CTO (Caixa Terminal Óptica / Cable Terminal Outlet) - a Brazilian/Latin American term for a pre-connectorized FAT with hardened Mini-SC adapters, where all subscriber connections use pre-terminated cables only (no fast connectors). Functionally similar to the GL-FTB-10E. NAP (Network Access Point) - similar to FAT/CTO, but the term used in European and South American networks. An NAP box serves the same distribution function at the same network position. FDB (Fiber Distribution Box) - a generic term for any outdoor fiber enclosure, but typically refers to a non-pre-connectorized enclosure with standard SC adapters that uses field-terminated drop cable connections via fast connectors. In practice, these terms describe the same product category with regional naming variations. The GL-FTB-10E qualifies as all four: it is a FAT, functions as a CTO, serves as a NAP, and is a type of FDB.

The GL-FTB-10E supports three standard PLC splitter configurations: (1) 1×2 + 1×8 blockless PLC splitter - one feeder fiber enters, splits 1:2, then 1:8, producing 10 outputs for all 10 adapter ports. This is the standard configuration that fully utilizes all 10 ports. (2) 1×9 blockless PLC splitter - one feeder fiber enters, splits 1:9, leaving 9 active subscriber ports and 1 spare port (typically sealed and not connected). (3) 2×8 configuration - requires two separate 1×8 PLC splitters and two feeder inputs, producing 16 total outputs - this requires planning to use across two GL-FTB-10E units or in a larger enclosure. Please specify your preferred splitter configuration when ordering - the factory pre-installs and tests the splitter before shipment. Custom splitter configurations (1×4, 1×16, etc.) are available on OEM request with modified port labeling.

IP65 is sufficient for the majority of outdoor FTTH FAT box deployments: aerial pole mount, wall mount, and messenger cable installations where the enclosure is exposed to rain and condensation but not submerged. IP65 provides complete dust-tight protection and water-jet resistance from any direction - the conditions encountered in outdoor above-ground installation. IP68 (continuous submersion) is required for direct-burial applications, installations in flood-prone manholes, and deployments in coastal or riverside locations where periodic submersion is expected. For the GL-FTB-10E standard model (IP65), the appropriate deployment environments are above-ground outdoor installations. For underground or submersion-risk locations, we offer IP68 variants on request - contact our technical team with your deployment environment details.

The labor saving comes from eliminating on-site fiber splicing at subscriber port connection. In a field-splice FAT box, each subscriber drop cable requires: stripping the cable, cleaving the fiber, fusion splicing the drop cable to the adapter pigtail, loading the splice into the tray, and routing excess fiber - approximately 20–30 minutes per subscriber port including test. In a pre-connectorized FAT box, subscriber activation requires only plugging a pre-terminated drop cable into the SC adapter port - approximately 2 minutes per subscriber. At 10 subscribers per FAT node and 40 FAT nodes per project (400 subscribers), the labor difference is approximately 400 × (25 min − 2 min) = 153 hours of splice technician time saved. At a typical field technician rate of $50–$100/hour in emerging markets to $150–$250/hour in developed markets, this translates to $7,500–$38,000 in labor savings per 400-subscriber project - typically exceeding the material cost premium of pre-connectorized versus field-splice enclosures.

The GL-FTB-10E provides 1 or 2 oval or round feeder cable entry ports for the distribution cable entering the enclosure. Standard cable entry accepts cables from approximately 8mm to 16mm outer diameter - covering standard 4F to 12F distribution cables used in GPON FTTH feeder networks. For the subscriber drop cable side, connections are made at the Mini SC adapter ports on the front of the enclosure - no cable entry is required at the port level; subscribers connect via pre-terminated patch cords that plug into the adapter face. If your feeder cable diameter is outside the standard range, cable gland adapters are available for non-standard diameters. Contact our technical team with your cable specifications for compatibility confirmation before ordering.

Yes. The GL-FTB-10E supports aerial messenger cable (strand) installation using lashing brackets that attach to the rear of the housing. The compact 179×171×66mm footprint and approximately 1.2–1.5kg loaded weight make single-technician aerial installation practical from a bucket truck or aerial lift. For messenger cable installation: the lashing bracket is attached to the strand using hose clamps (included), and the feeder cable is looped into the cable entry ports with enough slack for the cassette splice. The enclosure's 179mm length allows adequate working room in the closure during feeder cable preparation and cassette splicing without needing to reach beyond the enclosure body.

Yes. The integrated 4F splice cassette allows the feeder cable to be spliced through the GL-FTB-10E, with selected fibers dropped at this node and the remaining fibers continued to a downstream FAT node. This cascaded architecture is the standard topology in linear FTTH distribution routes - a single multi-fiber feeder cable passes through multiple FAT nodes along a pole line or building facade, with different fiber subsets serving each node. The 4F cassette accommodates: 1 or 2 fibers spliced to the PLC splitter input at this node, and the remaining fibers spliced straight-through for continuation. The cassette is accessible from the front of the enclosure without disturbing the splitter or adapter ports.

Standard MOQ for the GL-FTB-10E is 20 units. Free samples (1–2 units) are available for technical evaluation and network qualification testing before bulk order commitment. Standard configurations (10-port SC/APC with 1×8 PLC splitter) ship within 15 business days. OEM/ODM orders - custom port counts, different splitter configurations, custom branding or housing colors, IP68 variants - are accepted with 25–30 business days from specification confirmation. Volume pricing tiers available from 100 units. Full specification sheets, insertion loss test reports, and IP65 certification documentation available on request. Contact sales@gloryoptic.com with your project requirements and annual volume estimate.

The GL-FTB-10E is specified at: Insertion loss ≤0.2dB at each adapter port (measured at both 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths, the two GPON operating wavelengths for downstream and upstream respectively). UPC return loss ≥50dB (SC/UPC adapter variant). APC return loss ≥60dB (SC/APC adapter variant - recommended for GPON FTTH networks). These specifications are for the adapter port interface only. The total link insertion loss budget must also include the PLC splitter loss (typically 10.5dB for a 1×8 split) and the feeder cable splice loss (typically <0.1dB per fusion splice). For a complete GL-FTB-10E link budget calculation tool or network design support, contact our technical team.