Can Fiber Optic Cable Be Repaired

Repairing a Broken Fiber Optic Cablevision

Repairing a Broken Fiber Optic Cable

Jan 18, 2022

Written by Cameron Smith

This article covers the typical steps required to repair and/or re-terminate a damaged cobweb optic cable. The actual steps may vary depending on the cable and/or connectors.

Fiber optic cables are typically damaged in 1 of two ways:

A premade fiber optic cable suffers connector damage when besides much pull-force is applied during installation. This can occur on long cable runs through tight conduit or duct, and also if the cablevision becomes caught or snagged.
A fiber optic cable is cut or broken in the middle of the cable run and the two ends require splicing to re-connect them.

The equipment used in this article are:

Single way fiber optic cable
Single manner fiber optic LC mechanical connector
Three-hole jacket stripper
Kevlar sheers
Precision cleaver
Lint free wipes

Scenario One: Step-by-Step Process to Repair a Broken Connector

Note: the below procedure assumes ECOConnectors volition be used to re-stop the cleaved connector. You tin can sentinel a step-past-stride termination video in the TechLogix Knowledge Base.

Step i: Apply the kevlar sheers to cut the fiber optic cablevision at the point of damage creating a clean working edge. Slide the connector kicking onto the fiber.

Step ii: Use the three-hole jacket stripper to strip dorsum approximately ii inches (50mm) of the outer cable jacket, exposing the internal cobweb strands.

Pace three:Split up the internal yarn from the fiber strand. Use the three-hole jacket stripper to remove the inner strand coating. Follow the connector's instructions for recommended strip length.

Step 4: Carve the fiber to length using your precision cleaver. Follow the connector'due south instructions for recommended carve length.

Step five:Clean whatever impurities from the fiber strand using an booze wipe.

Footstep 6:Insert the fiber strand into the connector and slide the locking tab closed. A visual fault locator may be used to show if the fiber is completely and properly seated inside the connector.

Step 7:Screw the connector boot onto the connector and trim any exposed yarn. Ideally, re-terminated connectors should be tested using a visual error locator and/or fiber optic meter.

Scenario Two: Splicing a Cleaved Cable

Cobweb optic cables can suffer harm that effectively breaks the fiber optic strands in the middle of the cable run. This oftentimes occurs from chafe or rodent damage on unprotected cables, or simply from accidental cuts from diggers, landscapers and contractors. Should a interruption occur, the cable requires splicing to reconnect the two ends.

The about common method of splicing uses a mechanical splice kit, such every bit the UNIV-SPLICE-005.

Mechanical Splice Kit

Splicing is very similar to re-terminating (the process described in pace 1); however, instead of using a connector which is the stop point of a cable run, y'all use a splice which extends (or in this example reconnects) a cable run.

The basic process is:

Cut out the damaged portion of the cable.
Fix both ends of the cablevision past stripping dorsum the jacket, buffer and cleaning the exposed fiber strand.
Insert both ends of the cable into the splice.
Push button the locking button.

Depending on the environment, wrapping or heat shrinking/sealing the splice may be advised.

You tin can download splicing instructions and sentinel a step-by-step video on the TechLogix UNIV-SPLICE-005 page.

Fiber Optic Splice Video

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