How to strip fiber from optical cable

Stripping an optical fiber involves carefully removing the outer jacket, aramid yarn, and buffer coating using specialized fiber strippers to expose the glass fiber without causing damage.

Always wear safety glasses and work in a clean, well-lit area free of dust and debris. Optical fibers are sharp and can cause injury, and small glass shards must be disposed of properly .

• Fiber optic cable stripper: Designed to remove the jacket and buffer coatings without nicking the fiber .
• Cable cutting scissors or three-hole fiber scissors: For cutting aramid yarn and precise stripping .
• Alcohol wipes or cleaning solution: To clean the stripped fiber end .
• Fiber cleaver: To create a clean, perpendicular end face for termination .
• Inspection microscope or Visual Fault Locator (VFL): To check the quality of the stripped and cleaved fiber .

1. Prepare the Work Area: Lay out all tools and ensure the cable is free from kinks or damage .
2. Strip the Outer Jacket: Use the fiber optic cable stripper to remove the outer sheath. Adjust the blade depth according to the cable diameter to avoid cutting the inner fibers .
3. Remove Aramid Yarn: Carefully cut and remove the strength members (aramid fibers) using cable scissors, taking care not to nick the glass fiber .
4. Strip the Buffer Coating: Use the fiber stripper to remove the primary and secondary coatings from the glass fiber. This exposes the bare fiber for splicing or termination .
5. Clean the Fiber: Wipe the exposed fiber with alcohol or a cleaning solution to remove debris and residue .
6. Inspect and Cleave: Use a microscope or VFL to inspect the fiber for scratches or defects. Then, cleave the fiber with a fiber cleaver to create a smooth, perpendicular end face .
7. Repeat for Multiple Fibers: If working with multi-fiber cables, repeat the stripping, cleaning, and cleaving process for each fiber individually .

• Strip each layer progressively; do not attempt to remove all layers at once .
• Maintain sharp tools to prevent nicks or scratches on the fiber .
• Handle fibers gently; even a tiny scratch can weaken the fiber and cause future failures .
• Dispose of fiber scraps safely to prevent injury .

Following these steps ensures a clean, undamaged fiber ready for splicing or connectorization, which is critical for optimal signal transmission and network performance .