How to Repair a Fiber Optic Cable | Multilink

How to Repair a Fiber Optic Cable 

While fiber optic cables are resilient to harsh wear and tear, they may experience damage over time. When this happens, it's crucial to understand what you can do to get your network back online to avoid costly delays and expensive repairs. 

Tools You'll Need 

To successfully repair your broken fiber optic cable, you're going to need to collect some supplies before you start. These tools include: 

• Cutter
• Stripper
• Fusion splicer or inline splice
• Crimper
• Metal terminals
• Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

Five Steps to Repair Your Optic Cable

Once you've identified and inspected the damage, you can get started with a few straightforward steps to fix your cable. 

1. Cut Away the Damage

The first thing you'll need to do is remove the damaged section from your cable. Cut your fiber optic cable using your cutter tool, severing enough to eliminate any sign of damage. The cut should be straight and clean on both sides to ensure a stronger connection when it's time to join the ends. 

2. Strip the Cut Ends 

With the ends freshly trimmed, use your stripper to expose the optic fibers. Place the jaws of the stripper at the location you want to begin, squeezing the handle and pulling it toward the cut end to remove the outer coating.

If you plan on using a mechanical splice, you can estimate how much you should trim by holding your metal terminal next to the end of the cable. It's wise to strip away enough of the coating so that the end reaches the tip of the terminal. You can use a similar tactic if you're using a fusion splice. Do this for both ends. 

3. Clean the Fiber Optic Cable

It's crucial to thoroughly clean the cable before moving forward. Use alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe down the fiber. Tiny fibers on the core's surface can affect its performance, rendering it ineffective. Once clean, do not touch the ends of the fiber to preserve its integrity. 

4. Splice Your Cable 

Splicing a fiber optic cable can be done in two different ways — using a mechanical splicer or a fusion splicer:

• Mechanical splicing: Mechanical splicing uses metal terminals and an inline splicer to align and join the two ends together. This splicer snaps into place and will remain permanently attached to your line. 
• Fusion splicing: Fusion splicing uses a tool to align the ends, which are then heated to fuse the exposed ends together. Once joined, you can remove the splicer. This fusion creates a durable, lasting bond while producing a clear signal and reducing transmission loss. 

5. Test Your Success

Once your splice is in place, there are some things you can do to ensure a secure connection. With a mechanical splice, you can perform a tug test, pulling on either end of the splice. Or, you can use an OTDR for more detailed information to test the strength of the signal, fixing any issues as needed. 

Partner With Multilink for All Your Fiber Optic Needs

Whether you need to get your hands on certain tools or quality fiber optic cable, Multilink has what you need. We offer an assortment of dependable tool kit items, as well as tested and optic cable products. Our selection will ensure your company maintains a consistent, high-performance system that lasts for years to come. If you're ready to purchase, contact one of our specialists to request a free quote today.