How to remove the protective layer from pigtail fibers
The coating can readily be removed with conventional fiber stripping tools such as the Clauss CFS-1 or Fitel S-210 for fiber with a 125 μm cladding diameter or a Clauss No Nik stripper for cladding diameters larger than 125 m. Many outside plant cables are also filled with a gel to block the axial migration of water. This application note addresses general handling of fibers from NKT Photonics, including how to strip the protective coating, how to cleave the fibers and tips for coupling light to and from the fibers. 9mm outer jacket, tight buffered, which you can strip down to 250μm, and then one has to remove the colored layer on the last few cm to strip them down to 125μm bare glass fiber, to cleave and splice. Are they damaged? Are any of them cut? Even a small % of cut fibers will significantly reduce finished-product pull strength. For splicing, connectorization or other processing, these coatings must be removed.
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