Fibre Optic Tools

Fibre cleaver selection for mechanical jointing and fusion splicer prep

Precise end-face geometry is fundamental to low-loss jointing. A precision fibre cleaver scores and snaps 125µm glass cladding at a perpendicular angle, preventing core misalignment during splicing. Mechanical termination and fusion splicer units require clean breaks without chips or lip defects.

Cleavers like the FC-33 feature a full-metal body and deliver a typical cleaving angle of 0.5° or less. Fixture selection dictates cable compatibility, accommodating bare 250µm strand, 900µm buffer, 3.0mm jacket, drop cable, and multi-core arrangements. Mechanical blade return systems that reset upon opening the cover increase speed across repetitive termination tasks.

• Cleave angle: typical rating of 0.5° or less for single-mode reliability
• Single-core cutting length: 8 to 20mm on model FC-33, or 9 to 16mm for 0.25mm fibre on the FC-6S and AUA-X5
• Multi-core cutting length: 10mm for multi-core configurations
• Cladding compatibility: standard 125µm quartz fibre

Optical power meter and visual fault locator performance limits

Optical power meter selection centres on dynamic measuring range and calibrated telecommunication wavelengths. Model AUA-C70 covers -70 to +10dBm for standard premises and telco networks, while model AUA-C50 spans -50 to +26dBm for high-power links. Both utilize InGaAs detectors across an 800 to 1700nm detection range, featuring connector interfaces for SC, FC, and ST.

Visual fault locators operate alongside power meters to detect internal breaks, macrobends, and connector faults. Emitting a 650nm red laser in continuous wave or 2Hz pulse mode, these pens identify leakage through buffer jackets. A 1mW source verifies continuity across a test distance of 3 to 5km, while higher outputs reach further, up to 35 to 40km on the 50mW version.

• Standard telecom measuring range: -70 to +10dBm (model AUA-C70) or -70 to +6dBm (Mini-OPM)
• High-power measuring range: -50 to +26dBm (models AUA-C50 and high-power Mini-OPM)
• Wavelength coverage: 800 to 1700nm, with standard wavelengths including 850nm, 1310nm, 1490nm and 1550nm (AUA-C70/C50)
• Laser output options: 1mW, 10mW, 20mW, 30mW, and 50mW at 650nm

Stripping, cleaning, and preparation for OTDR tester diagnostic sweeps

Cable preparation requires matched mechanical tooling to strip outer jackets and loose buffer tubes without scoring underlying glass. The A-3511 slitter performs longitudinal tube cuts across cable diameters from 3.5 to 11mm, using dedicated channels from 3.5 to 4mm up to 10.5 to 11mm. For ribbon cables and tight buffers, thermal stripping tools like the AUA-M8 apply heated stripping across bare, bundled, or ribbon configurations.

Connector cleanliness determines whether an OTDR tester displays clean transmission or false reflective events. End-face cleaning pens like the AUA-M600 clean MPO and MTP interfaces on both male and female connectors with published cleaning ability up to 99%. Field inspection microscopes with 200x or 400x magnification confirm end faces remain free of scratches and debris before running an OTDR sweep.

• Loose tube slitter capacity: 3.5 to 11mm cable diameter across defined groove sizes
• Thermal stripping: accommodates bare fibre, bundled fibre, and ribbon fibre
• Bulkhead inspection: 200x or 400x optical magnification with built-in infrared attenuation filter
• Connector interface adapters: 2.5mm for SC, FC, ST; 1.25mm for LC; 3.175mm for SMA905