Fiber Optic Tools

Different Fiber Optic Tools and Supplies

These are used in fiber optic splicing, a process that melts the bare optical fiber together or joins two fiber optic cables together without the use of heat.  

Unlike other common methods of joining fibers, fiber splicing results in lower back reflection and light loss. This is why it is a more preferred method than termination or connectorization, especially when the cable runs too long for a single fiber length or when two different types of cable are joined together.

Splicing can be done in two methods--fusion and mechanical splicing. The fiber optic hand tools you use will depend on the method you choose. Most typical splicing fiber optic tools are fiber optic cleaver, fiber splice protection sleeves, fusion splice, and heat oven, among others.

One of the most important fiber optic tools in mechanical splicing is the fiber optic cleaver. The more precise a cleaver is, the easier it is to achieve the exceptional low loss of 0.05dB and less.

These tools are used to inspect the fiber optic equipment when troubleshooting or while the tools are in production. Some of the most common test fiber optic tools are light sources, fiber optic power meter, fault locator, optical domain reflectometer, and optical identifiers.

Test equipment tools must be compatible with the types of fiber cable being tested and the wavelengths of use.

To ensure that fiber optic devices perform optimally, they must be free from dirt, oil, dust, and other contaminants. This is where cleaning fiber optic tools are used.

There is a cleaning fiber optic tool for connectors and ferrules, such as the one-click fiber cleaner that cleans LC duplex connectors with APC and PC polishes. In some cases, alcohol and wet wipes are used.

Typical Fiber Optic Hand Tools and Supplies

• Fiber optical stripper peels off the coating of fiber cable.
• Cable stripper (transverse) is used to horizontally peel off cable.
• Cable breaking pliers are used to peel off cable horizontally.
• Pliers are used to cut a cable's intensify core.
• Rubber suction bulb removes dust from the lens.
• Nipper is used to clip small parts.
• Assembling screwdrivers and precision screwdriver are used to tighten screws.

Other tools that should be included in your fiber optic tool kit are a knife, rolling knife, scissors, tape line, and a marker pen.

On top of the content of a field kit, anyone working with fiber optic cables must also have clean and unscratched safety glasses to better see the hair-thin fibers and black work mats for easier cleanup.

Some tools, such as jacket strippers, fiber strippers, and cleavers, wear out or become damaged. It is important that fiber optic tools are checked before every operation to ensure they are working properly.