How to Remove a Pulling Eye from a Pre-Terminated Fiber Optic Assembly

For our pre-terminated fiber optic assemblies, we prefer to include a pulling eye for our customers. This helps make the installation process much easier for our fiber installers we sell our products to.

In this article, we’ll address what a pulling is in more detail and walk you through how to remove it from your fiber optic assembly (with two video examples).

What is a Fiber Pulling Eye?

In fiber optic installations, a fiber pulling eye (also known as a pulling basket) plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient deployment of fiber optic cables.

This tool is specifically designed to assist in pulling cables through conduits or tight spaces without causing any damage to the fiber itself.

The fiber pulling eye provides a secure attachment point for the pulling cable, allowing installers to transport the fiber assembly across large distances or difficult pathways.

The pulling eye is often attached to the fiber assembly with a combination of mesh baskets, heat shrink tubing, electrical tape, and sometimes a Kevlar member for extra durability. These components ensure that the pulling force is evenly distributed along the cable without damaging the sensitive fibers or connectors inside the cable.

How to Remove a Pulling Eye from a Fiber Assembly

Removing the fiber pulling eye from a pre-terminated fiber optic assembly is a simple yet delicate process.

Follow these steps to safely and effectively detach the pulling eye without causing harm to the cable or its components:

Cut Off the Hook:

Begin by using a pair of wire cable cutting scissors to carefully cut off the hook at the end of the pulling basket. This hook is the main attachment point that connects the pulling basket to the cable assembly.

Remove Heat Shrink Tubing:

Next, use a razor knife to gently cut away the heat shrink tubing that secures the pulling basket to the fiber assembly. Take extra care while performing this step, as the heat shrink is typically tightly applied to prevent movement. Ensure not to damage the cable underneath.

Detach the Electrical Tape:

After removing the heat shrink tubing, you’ll likely find a small piece of electrical tape holding the basket in place. Carefully remove this tape, making sure it doesn’t leave any adhesive residue that could affect the cable.

Remove the Mesh Basket and Kevlar Member:

Once the tape is removed, you can proceed to carefully extract the mesh basket. Afterward, remove the Kevlar member, which is typically used for reinforcement and strength. Take care not to damage the Kevlar as it may be used for future installations.

Unwrap the Plastic Protection:

Finally, the last step involves removing the plastic wrap that protects the connectors from contaminants. Locate the end of the plastic wrap and gently unwrap it from the cable bundle. This step is crucial in ensuring the connectors are free from dirt, moisture, or any other environmental factors that could affect performance.

With these simple steps, the fiber pulling eye can be safely removed, ensuring that your fiber optic assembly remains in optimal condition for installation.

We also have another visual guide that is not animated that you may be interested in to see the process demonstrated by Tom at LANshack.

Removing a pulling eye is just one aspect of working with fiber optic cables. If you're looking for custom pre-terminated fiber optic cabling tailored to your specifications, be sure to visit our website to learn more. We specialize in creating solutions with fast lead times and exceptional quality, all made in the USA.

For another look at this demonstration, here's Tony showing you how it's done.