Cutting Fibre Optic Cable

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Does anyone know how you go about cutting a multi core fibre optic cable?

I've terminated single cores in the past, where you "cleave" the fibre and then polish it into the connector, but thats only when i've made patch leads.

How do you go about cutting say 10m from a 100m roll of multicore cable? Do you have to slice into the cable and then cleave the cores individually or is a rough cut acceptable, knowing that you will be cleaving each core before terminating it into the connector?

This is all just out of interest as I'm attending a course in a couple of weeks and doing a bit of reading has left me pondering this.
 
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I would say you just rough cut as you will be cutting shorter and correctly terminating in the end.

I have always used pre terminated leads in the past which can be a pain to install when running between buildings in ducts and passing through holes etc.

I have been interested in doing a course in this as fibre has long been the backbone of most larger IT installs.
 
I would say you just rough cut as you will be cutting shorter and correctly terminating in the end.

You'd think so wouldn't you, I was just thinking of a fairly standard pair of snips for round cables, but would be worried how far the fractures went up the fibre.

I have always used pre terminated leads in the past which can be a pain to install when running between buildings in ducts and passing through holes etc.

I have been interested in doing a course in this as fibre has long been the backbone of most larger IT installs.

I agree, total pain to install, advertised as the ultimate solution but it rarely is. Obviously factory terminated ends are going to be lower loss and I guess the biggest problem with field terminating backbone cable is thats its going to be cramped / dirty / difficult on at least one end.
 
I guess the biggest problem with field terminating backbone cable is thats its going to be cramped / dirty / difficult on at least one end.

Creating a clean working area is essential for this type of work. An air borne dust particle can wreck a termination and it is only found when the termination is used. Testing the termination is essential.

Highly recommend is to cut the fibre longer than is needed to allow for having to re-make a termination that is spoilt by dust.
 
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How do you think your 100 Metre drum of cable was dispensed by the storeman when you ordered it?

He probably chopped through the fibre cable with the same set of cable shears he uses for every other type of cable they sell!

It is common practise to splice a 'tail' made by cutting a patch lead in half onto the cable fibres in a joint, then fan out these tails in the equipment rack(s). The tails then have a thick outer jacket and reinforcing, so there's less chance of damage compared to the relatively delicate individual cable fibres.
 
It is common practise to splice a 'tail' made by cutting a patch lead in half onto the cable fibres in a joint, then fan out these tails in the equipment rack(s). The tails then have a thick outer jacket and reinforcing, so there's less chance of damage compared to the relatively delicate individual cable fibres.

Ah, makes sense.

Won't be possible for me though as a fusion splicer is slightly out of my price range!!!!
 

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