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Common Tools to use for Fiber Optic Installations

We’ve done a lot of videos on social media such as Instagram and TikTok showcasing some of our common tools that we have here at LANshack and how they are used.

This article goes further in depth on why you might need these fiber termination tools and where you can purchase them in our store.

If you have any other tools you’d like to see showcased, just let us know!

We’re always adding inventory to our store and if it fits our high standards of excellence, we can go out and find it to include in our store.

Types of Tools

Let’s take a look at the common types of tools you may encounter in an installation. If you’re just starting out, use this as a jumping off point to see how each tool works.

Kevlar Scissors

What They Do:

Kevlar scissors are specifically designed to cut through Kevlar or aramid yarn strength members in fiber optic cabling.

We keep them in stock in our store because they are super durable and hold up under extreme use. They are very high quality and offer precise and clean cutting for wire, braiding, and more.

Slight serrations on the blade prevent wire slippage and the rubber handle offers a better grip while you may be cutting numerous wires.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyy2ciBAOr3/

Why You May Need Them:

Regular scissors will dull quickly when cutting Kevlar.

Our German-made, ice-tempered steel Kevlar scissors can easily cut through fiber optic cables and Ethernet cables, ensuring even cuts that minimize data loss in your network connection.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C67oXrJtJm9/

Fiber Optic Cable and Cladding Strippers

What They Do:

Fiber optic cable strippers are used to precisely strip the outer jacket of fiber optic cables without damaging the delicate fibers inside and for removing the cladding from the fiber optic strands to prepare for termination.

These tools we sell in particular are perfect for slitting and rotary stripping of 1.2 to 6.4mm fiber optic cable jackets and buffer tubes. The 5-in-1 stripping tool is better for 2 - 3mm fiber optic cable jackets and 250 - 900 micron buffer and acrylate coating.

When using these, use the larger hole to strip back the outer 2mm to 3mm cable jacket. Then use the smaller holes to strip the acrylate coating off the optical glass.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lanshack/video/7227173855465442603

Why You May Need Them:

If you’re doing a large amount of fiber optic terminating, you’ll want to make sure you have strippers on hand.

Using a fiber optic cable stripper ensures clean and accurate removal of the cable jacket, which is essential for proper termination and splicing of fiber optic cables.

Lint Free Fiber Optic Cleaning Wipes and Cleaning Fluid

What They Do:

They are a perfect 4 x 4 inch size and great for cleaning fiber optic connector endfaces or removing the acrylate coating from fiber optic strands during splicing or termination. Use with our fiber optic cleaning solution for perfect cleaning and/or removal of the acrylate coating.

The fluid is 99.9 percent pure isopropyl alcohol which is perfect for wetting lint free cloths used for cleaning fiber optic end faces and for removing the acrylate coating during splicing.

We sell ours in packs of 50 and and the cleaning fluid comes in 60ml pump bottles.

Why You May Need Them:

Ensuring uninterrupted data flow is crucial in fiber optic networking. Even tiny specks of dust can lead to data errors if not properly cleaned. Therefore, it's essential to have wipes on hand for thorough cleaning. It’s also important you use 99.9 percent pure isopropyl alcohol to properly remove the acrylate coating.

Fiber Optic Cleaver

https://www.lanshack.com/QuickTreX-High-Precision-Fiber-Optic-Cleaver-with-Case-P10427

What They Do:

Fiber optic cleavers are designed for precisely cutting fiber optic glass, preparing it for fusion splicing or mechanical splicing.

The model we sell cuts and all standard single core fiber optic strands including multimode 62.5/125µm & 50/125µm, and singelmode 9/125µm. The blade also has an impressive 32,000+ cleave life span.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lanshack/video/7250905629261483310

Why You May Need Them:

A clean and accurate cut is crucial for successful fiber optic splicing, ensuring optimal performance and minimal signal loss.

Fiber Optic Fusion Splicer

What They Do:

A fiber optic fusion splicer is used to join two fiber optic strands together, creating a single long fiber without data loss.

We sell Fusion Splicer Kits that come with everything you need, including an easy-to-use touch screen interface.

For more on how to fusion splice, check out this guide.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lanshack/video/7249447197019000110

Why You May Need Them:

Sometimes fiber strands can break by accident or from rodents like in an OSP installation. Being able to fix the fiber strand with fusion is helpful, time saving, and saves you money as you don’t need to install a completely brand new fiber optic cable in your installation.

Fusion splicers are essential for extending the length of fiber optic cables while maintaining signal integrity.

It is also the preferred way to join two fibers together using heat.

Comprehensive Tool Kits for Fiber Optic Installations

If you’re just starting out, or looking for fresh tools, you might be best suited for a toolkit that includes everything we showcased in this article.

We offer a variety of kits that contain all the essential tools for fiber optic installations.

Whether you're a network administrator, low-voltage electrician, or any low-voltage cable installer, our QuickTrex® Toolkits are the perfect choice for you.

Our fiber optic kit includes all the essential fiber optic tools needed. All the tools included in this kit are professional grade and have been thoroughly tested by professionals for premium performance.

It includes the following:

  • fiber optic jacket stripper stripper

  • fiber optic cladding and acrylate coating stripper

  • Kevlar scissors

  • cleaver

  • cleaning fluid

  • lint free wipes

  • tool bag.

Having a comprehensive toolkit ensures you are prepared for any situation during installation, whether you need to crimp connectors, strip cables, cut through tough materials, or test your network connections.

Tips for Fiber Optic Installations

Label Your Cables:

Always label both ends of your cables during installation. This practice helps in identifying and troubleshooting connections quickly.

Use Cable Management Accessories:

Utilize cable ties, Velcro straps, and cable management panels to keep your installation neat and organized. Proper cable management reduces the risk of tangling and damage.

Test Your Connections:

After completing an installation, use a network cable tester to verify all connections. This step ensures that everything is functioning correctly and can save time troubleshooting later.