account icon arrow-left-long icon arrow-left icon arrow-right-long icon arrow-right icon bag-outline icon bag icon cart-outline icon cart icon comment chevron-left icon chevron-right icon cross-circle icon cross icon expand-less-solid icon expand-less icon expand-more-solid icon expand-more icon facebook-square icon facebook icon instagram icon kickstarter icon layout-collage icon layout-columns icon layout-grid icon layout-list icon link icon Lock icon mail icon menu icon minus-circle-outline icon minus-circle icon minus icon pinterest-circle icon pinterest icon play-circle-fill icon play-circle-outline icon plus-circle-outline icon plus-circle icon plus icon rss icon search icon Shopify logo shopify icon snapchat icon trip-advisor icon tumblr icon twitter icon vimeo icon vine icon yelp icon youtube icon
Search
View account

Your Cart

Total
$0.00
Shipping & taxes calculated at checkout
Continue Shopping
Your cart is currently empty. Click here to continue shopping.
  • Home
  • Products
    • Back
    • Products
    • Fiber Infrastructure
    • Furniture Accessories
    • Room Systems
    • AV Signal Distribution
    • Custom Cable Builders
  • Partners
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Promotions
  • Closeouts
Not able or willing to travel? Schedule a virtual meeting or training here!
✕
TechLogix Networx
Log in
  • Home
  • Products
    • Fiber Infrastructure
    • Furniture Accessories
    • Room Systems
    • AV Signal Distribution
    • Custom Cable Builders
  • Partners
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Promotions
  • Closeouts
Cart (0)
TechLogix Networx

x

Cart (0)

Understanding Fiber Termination Tools: What's Needed to Get the Job Done?

August 21 2020
·
Written by Cameron Smith
Understanding Fiber Termination Tools: What's Needed to Get the Job Done?
August 21 2020
·
Written by Cameron Smith

Fiber optic tools are very different than those used for coax, twisted pair and other copper-based cables. The below article explores the commonly used products for terminating and integrating fiber optic cable, connectors and accessories. 

You can view the tools in action in one of our step-by-step termination videos. 

We also have an unboxing video of the fiber termination kit. 

You can browse all of TechLogix's tools online. 

 

 

fiber optic kevlar sheers

Kevlar / Aramid Yarn Sheers

Fiber optic kevlar and aramid yarn sheers are used for cutting fiber optic cables. Optical cables are surprisingly strong and kevlar sheers are essential for trimming the cable from the spool and cutting cables to length. A good sheers features a stainless-steel micro-serrated blade. 

 

fiber optic jacket stripper

Three-Hole Jacket Stripper

Fiber optic three-hole jacket strippers remove the outer jacket and inner strand coatings from the fiber optic cable. The largest hole is designed for the outer cable jacket, the middle hole reduces the inner 900µm buffer to 250µm, and the smallest hole reduces a 250µm strand to 125µm. Actual use will be dictated by the cable and connectors you are working with (most fiber tools are universally compatible with a variety of different cable and connector types). 

 

fiber optic precision cleaver

Precision Wheel Cleaver

The precision wheel cleaver cleanly cuts (or "cleaves") the fiber optic strand. A high-quality cleaver essentially scores and snaps the glass strand, ensuring a clean transmitting surface. Cleaving the fiber strand during termination is essential because the kevlar sheers and three-hole stripper will crush and/or crack the glass during normal use. 

crushed cracked fiber

 

Look for a cleaver with an adjustable wheel. This will provide better longevity and compatibility with a variety of cable types. 

 

fiber optic visual fault locator

Visual Fault Locator (VFL)

The VFL generates a visible red laser which transmits through the fiber optic cable and connectors. It's essential for showing signal continuity and, depending on the type of connectors, can be used to troubleshoot termination. The VFL is also useful for finding out-of-spec cable bends and breaks because the red light is often visible through an overly torqued cable jacket. 

Most VFLs are natively compatible with 2.5mm ferrule connections, such as SC, ST and FC-style connectors. LC connectors require a VFL adapter. 

 

visual fault locator LC adapter 1.25mm

Visual Fault Locator (VFL) Adapter

The VFL adapter adapts a 2.5mm ferrule (such as those in SC, ST and FC connections) to the 1.25mm ferrule size used in LC connectors. 

 

fiber optic pen ruler

Metric Ruler and Marker

A complete fiber optic tool kit will also include a permanent marker and a metric ruler (make sure the ruler is metric!). These are used to measure and mark cable cut, strip and cleave lengths. 

 

fiber optic cleaning alcohol wipes

Cleaning Supplies: Wipes and Alcohol Bottle

A complete fiber optic kit should also have cleaning supplies, including lint-free wipes and alcohol. It's essential to clean optical strands prior to insertion into a connector or splice because any contaminants (think dust, oil and pollen) can cause the optic strand to misalign thereby creating loss. You can read more in this article. 

dirty optical lenses

 

The above images show the effect of contaminants on optical lenses. 

 

fiber optic click cleaner pen cleaner

Pen-Style "Click" Cleaners

Pen-style, or "click" style, fiber optic cleaners are used to clean contaminants from the optical lenses in connectors, couplers, adapters and electronics' ports. Most cleaners are rated for 800 - 1000 clean cycles and they are specific to either 2.5mm (SC, ST, FC) or 1.25mm (LC) ferrules. 

 

Tagged in

  • Fiber

Read more

TechLogix Fiber Training for AVIXA Credit

TechLogix Fiber Training for AVIXA Credit

Micro-armored fiber cables.... never break a patch cord again!

Micro-armored fiber cables.... never break a patch cord again!

Understanding Fiber Cable Types: an Intro to Constructions & Applications

Understanding Fiber Cable Types: an Intro to Constructions & Applications

Comments

Be the first to comment.
All comments are moderated before being published.

Invalid password
Enter
Info
  • Contact Us
  • One-on-One Meetings
  • Training Events
  • Employment
  • Warranty
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
Subscribe

Sign up to our mailing list

✕
Thanks for contacting us! We'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for subscribing