Stripping of 48-core optical cable

Stripping a 48-core optical cable requires progressive removal of the outer jacket, strength members, and individual fiber buffers using precision tools to avoid fiber damage.

Step-by-

Step Stripping Process1. Prepare the Work Area and Safety Measures Always wear safety glasses and work on a clean, well-lit surface. Dispose of fiber scraps properly to prevent injury or contamination.

2. Strip the Outer Jacket Use a precision cable jacket stripper suitable for the cable diameter. Carefully remove the outer sheath without nicking the aramid yarn or inner fibers.

For a 48-core loose tube cable, the jacket is typically thick and may require a rotary or ratcheting stripper. 3. Remove Strength Members After the jacket, cut and remove the aramid yarn or other strength members.

These fibers provide tensile strength, so avoid cutting or pulling on the optical fibers themselves. 4. Expose Individual Fibers For loose tube cables, each tube contains multiple fibers.

Carefully open the tubes and separate the fibers. Use fiber strippers designed for the specific buffer diameter (commonly 250 µm for primary coating or 900 µm for tight buffers). Mechanical, thermal, or automated strippers can be used depending on throughput and operator skill.

5. Strip Fiber Coatings Remove the primary and secondary buffer coatings to expose the bare glass fiber. Ensure the stripper blade does not touch the glass to prevent scratches or nicks.

Strip lengths are typically 30–40 mm, but follow connector or splicer specifications. 6. Clean and Inspect Fibers After stripping, clean fibers with lint-free wipes and high-purity alcohol to remove coating residues.

Inspect fibers under a microscope for nicks or scratches before splicing or connectorization. 7. Cleaving and Termination Once stripped and cleaned, fibers can be cleaved for fusion splicing or prepared for connector termination.

For 48-core cables, consider using ribbon splicing or multi-fiber fusion splicers to handle multiple fibers efficiently.

Tools and Considerations

Handheld fiber strippers: Suitable for small-scale or field work. Heated or thermal strippers: Soften coatings for easier removal. Automated stripping machines: Provide consistent, repeatable results for high-volume production.

Blade maintenance: Keep cutting edges sharp to ensure clean cuts and prevent fiber damage. Progressive stripping: Always strip layers sequentially—jacket, strength members, buffers—to avoid damaging underlying fibers.

Best Practices

Strip no more than 50 mm at a time to reduce the risk of fiber damage. Use proper fiber handling techniques to prevent microbends or stress on the fibers. For high-count cables like 48-core, consider color-coded fibers or labeling to maintain organization during splicing or termination.

Inspect each fiber after stripping to ensure quality and minimize optical loss. By following these steps and using the appropriate tools, a 48-core optical cable can be stripped safely and efficiently, ensuring high-quality splicing or connectorization with minimal risk of fiber damage.