Quick Fiber Termination Tools

Fiber cable termination is the addition of connectors to each optical fiber in a cable. The fibers need to have connectors fitted before they attach to other devices. Two common solutions for fiber cable termination are pigtails and fan-out kits or breakout kits.

For doing fiber termination, using fiber termination tools is helpful and saves you a lot time. Common fiber termination tools include cable jacket stripper, connector crimper, fiber scriber or cleaver, kevlar cutter, polish film, wipe paper, fiber optic polishing paper, polishing plate (glass or plastic), Fusion splicer and appropriate strippers and cleavers, etc.

Fusion splicing of factory preterminated pigtails. Also popular with telcos, long-distance carriers, and the military, this type of termination method offers performance that is as good as a factory preterminated connector with very low back reflection. Again, this termination method requires an expensive fusion splicer, and connector costs are at a mid-price point.

Fusion splicing machines have decreased in price and increased in features and quality like many other technologies. Whereas 10 years ago a fusion splicer was big and bulky and cost approximately $25,000, today’s units are smaller, lighter and more efficient, and they typically cost $7,000 to $12,000. Although a fusion splicer is still an expensive tool, its cost can be easily justified, providing a return on investment in many high-end or high-volume applications. Same phenomenon comes to the fiber optic tool kit price, with more useful tool and more functions but a lower price.

A fiber optic termination tool can be used for varying purposes. Fiber optic termination tools are ideal for:

• Mechanical strippers or chemical solvents are used to strip the buffer and coating material from fiber before being cleaned with alcohol.

• A diamond or metal blade is then used to nick the fiber before tension is applied causing it to break.

• The fiber is then polished using grit abrasive paper until the finish is smooth.

• The end of the fiber is then inspected with a microscope to insure that the end of the fiber is smooth.

• Fibers are then attached to connectors or they are joined together by splicing.

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