Written by Don Schultz, Senior Technical Specialist, BICSI TECH, INSTC, INSTF, Fluke Networks CCTT
Fiber Optic Cable Stripper is one of the most essential tools in preparing bulk fiber optic cables. When working with fiber optic strands, a whole new level of precision is required for this task, as the quality and precision of the fiber stripper will literally make or break your efforts. Keep in mind that fiber optic cable dimensions are discussed in terms of microns (micrometers) and you may begin to realize that the tools required for any level of fiber optic setup must be durable, reliable and extremely accurate.
In this blog, we will specifically highlight and discuss the TrueCABLE Fiber Optic Cable Stripper Tool.
Setting up fiber optic cables is a dangerous activity. The risk of personal injury or even death can be reduced with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and training. Safety glasses and a clearly marked “sharps” container are absolutely required! Formal training is recommended.
What is a fiber optic cable stripper?
The purpose of fiber optic cable strippers is to remove any plastic protective layers from the fiber optic strand assembly before cutting, terminating a connector or splicing into a line. This tool is hand held and has multiple high precision cavities to remove multiple layers of existing coating covering the actual fiberglass. Due to the thickness of the cable in question, the same tool may or may not be useful in removing the outer jacket and an additional tool or tools may be needed for this task.
Each high-precision cavity in the fiber optic cable stripper is dedicated to a specific task:
External cable jacket covering fiber (up to practical limit within instrument capability) Color-coded hermetic insulation (900 µm) Clear acrylate coating directly over actual glass (250 µm)
Example of a cross section of a narrow multi-mode buffer array
How do fiber optic cable strippers differ from common twisted copper grade (also known as Ethernet) cable strippers? Ethernet strip tools are intended for removing cable covers only, while sometimes having the additional ability to cut the cable to length. When copper twisted pairs are terminated, the plastic is not removed from the fiber strand as exactly the opposite is true for optical fibres.
Why is proper stripping important in optical fibers?
Proper stripping of fiber optic cables must be done with a high degree of precision by:
Precision bar tool with high precision bores Proper techniques (workmanship)
The strands of optical fiber become progressively more brittle as each layer on top of the glass is removed. The tight buffer is the primary protection mechanism to prevent fiber breakage. The last line of defense is acrylate paint. If the process is not carried out with a high-quality tool and correct technique, the possibility of scratching or even breaking the glass is very high. I know I break a lot during the stripping process, usually when I’m out of training and/or my technique needs improvement.
Any cracks, cuts, gouges, scratches or breaks will destroy the ability of the connector or connection to perform as intended.
trueCABLE Fiber Optic Stripper: Features and Benefits
Since it is so important to strip the fibers properly, no old tool will be able to do this. TrueCABLE is specially designed to design and produce a precise and long-lasting fiber tape tool with the following features:
3-slot design, cable jacket, insulation, and precision acrylate coating Angled jaw design protects fibers from damage Hardened carbon steel edges ensure flawless fiber setup Hidden spring mechanism with convenient safety lock feature High visibility green TPU ergonomic handle
High-precision tape grooves showed good effect!
You don’t want a tool that can’t be locked!
Supported fiber cable types
The primary purpose of the TrueCABLE Fiber Stripper Tool is to strip individual fiber strands (either tight buffer or loose tube) located within bulk distribution fiber cables or fiber optic patch cords. As mentioned earlier, some forms of fiber distribution cable will be very thick, so the tool has a maximum limit of 3.00mm for the cable jacket outside diameter (OD).
For abstraction purposes, individual fiber strands will be identical from one fiber type to another. As such, trueCABLE Fiber Optic Strip Tool does not care about:
Which cables does the TrueCABLE stripper care about:
OD Jacket (some will be too thick and require a different tool to remove the jacket) Metal Armor Components (our tool will not cut metal)
To learn more about metal armored fiber cables, please see Armored and Unarmored Fiber Optic Cables: Determining the Best Solution for Your Network Infrastructure.
Step by Step: How to Use the trueCABLE Fiber Optic Stripper
trueCABLE has built a visual representation of how to use our fiber optic tape tool. Please see FIBERSTRIP instruction sheet. Additionally, you can find the full FIBERSTRIP specifications here.
General fiber preparation steps
Cut the fiber cable to the desired length, taking into account the service slack to be stored for future additions/changes/equipment relocations at the end of the installation. With connection trays or equipment outlets, it is strongly recommended that you maintain a service distance of 1 meter (3 feet). Remove the outer cable jacket (jacket) using FIBERSTRIP or additional tools if necessary (armored or thick cable or both). Cut the reinforcing material from aramid yarn (also known as Kevlar™), which resembles blonde doll hair. The easiest way to do this is to use aramid filament shears (Kevlar™ cutters) specifically designed for this task. Remove the tight insulating layer using the 900 µm tape bore. Find the angle technique that works for you. I usually use a 60 degree angle to thread the fibers. Tight buffer removal may need to be done in steps, removing about ¼ inch at a time. In other cases, a tight buffer can be removed in one simple, smooth motion. It depends on the brand of fiber cable and the ambient temperature. Remove acrylate paint using the 250 µm tape groove, again using the angle technique that suits you. I usually use a 60 degree angle for the fiber rope. Be careful with this step as the glass breaks easily! Removing acrylate paint requires a deft touch to remove the glaze and practice. Wipe the glass base/trim using an approved fiber optic glass cleaner and non-linting wipes specifically designed for the job. Do not use any other cleaners as they may cause contaminants!
Excellent code
You will know that the fibers are being cleaned properly when you hear a “squeak” sound like you are cleaning a mirror. You will also be able to feel any remaining acrylate paint. If you don’t feel or hear the squeaking sound, you’re probably trying to clean the acrylate layer, which you still have to remove.
Tips to avoid common mistakes (nicking, scoring, breaking fibers)
Avoiding common mistakes is up to you, the installer. If you have a good tool and are still having problems, the problem is your approach. Practice will make perfect! The most critical time to break down the fibers will be in the final tape step, which is removing the acrylate coating.
safety
As mentioned earlier, fiber preparation can be dangerous. Fiber is most dangerous when loose pieces escape. Loose fiber fragments are very sharp, annoying, and difficult to see. Oh, and the glass illusion. This is most critical during the final striping to remove the acrylate layer and also during the next step of slitting the fiber core to the correct length (another topic). Here are some safety tips:
Work on a dark surface if possible to expose fiber fragments. Stop and find any broken fiber fragments and place them in a sharps container that should be clearly marked. Never use a regular trash can to dispose of fiber fragments. Wear safety glasses! Use strong tape to pick up fiber fragments, and avoid using your fingers. Don’t keep food or drink in an area where the fiber is stripped and broken down, or at least use screw-cap bottles that can be resealed after each sip.
For a more detailed discussion of fiber optic cable safety, please see our comprehensive guide to fiber optic safety.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Inspection before/after stripping
It is a good habit to check your tool before use. Make sure there is no debris (usually acrylate paint) stuck in any cavity. Further check for rust. If there is any rust in the bar bore, the tool must be replaced. The same checks apply after divestitures.
Clean the tool
There are no special cleaning procedures for the tool, but a soft plastic brush (such as a camera lens) may be helpful to remove plastic buildup in the recesses. A light coating of high-quality oil to prevent rust for long-term storage is not a bad idea. Keep in mind that oil will attract contaminants, so use a very thin, light layer and remove as much of the tool as possible before using it with a joint-free cloth – especially from the tape recesses themselves. Less is more! It is also best practice to use a tool lock to help reduce damage to the bar bore when the tool is not in use.
Handling of armored cables
As stated above, the fiber bar tool is not designed to strip or cut metal of any type. Attempting to do this will damage the HD tape bore and should result in tool replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be used for shed/armored/ribbon fibres?
The TrueCABLE Fiber Tape Tool is designed to work with any fiber braid of any type of cable, but may not be able to remove thick jackets, shields, or other special items such as internal conduit.
How to avoid damaging the fibers?
To avoid damaging the fibers during stripping, develop correct technique with practice and keep your tool clean and rust-free.
What happens if you cut the core or cladding?
You have a bad strip if you cut the core or cladding over it. The same applies to scratching or scratching the core/cladding. Cut off the end and start again.
How often should you replace the blade?
There are no replaceable parts in the TrueCABLE Fiber Optic Stripper Tool.
Where can I buy spare parts?
There are no replaceable parts in the TrueCABLE Fiber Optic Stripper Tool.
conclusion
So this is it! Now you can see why a quality tape tool along with the right technique and lots of practice is so important to get a good tape with minimal frustration. You will develop your own style over time, and it is recommended that you continue to practice. An unused skill is a skill that will deteriorate over time.
Happy communication!
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