| Automated Splicing
machine: This is by far the most
expensive piece of equipment that may be required for completing
fibre optic installs. Fully automated, it takes the fibre ends,
inspects them, mechanically brings the ends together, fusion
splices the ends, and tests them. Automated splicers are upwards
of $40,000.00. If there is not enough budget for a machine of
this type, contractors or companies could be hired to splice,
or connectors may be used. |
|
Fibre cleaver:
(more expensive kind) A good cleaver can save TONS of time
and fibre, especially all of the preparation time involved
in getting the fibre ready to cleave. A good cleaver will
cleave the fibre off cleanly and squarely, and will remove
the waste to a bin. The cleaver shown costs about $3000.00.
If there is budget to spend, a good cleaver is worth its weight
in GOLD.
Cleavers come with many different types
of cutters. Diamond cutters are the best, however ruby, sapphire
and carbide cutters are also available, and are not as costly. |
 |
| Cleaving tool:
(cheaper kind). The cleaver shown here is an inexpensive, non-automated
cleaver. At a few hundred dollars, this takes a lot of practice
to be able to use this tool well, and even after a lot of practice,
the cleaved ends will still have a higher rate of failure than
with use of the more expensive 'automated' cleaver. If a cheaper
cleaver is purchased, expect to spend more time preparing fibre
and re-doing cleaves due to failed splices and/or connectors
(which can be very expensive to have to replace multiple failures...). |
 |
| Side Cutters: These
are useful in accurately and cleanly cutting off the centre
pin to the correct length. |
 |
| Stripper-
This is an excellent tool for carefully
scoring fibre optic buffer tubes, providing that the blade is
not set too deep, and that the spring is not too strong. |
|
| Wire Cutters -
A good set of wirecutters, if used
correctly and carefully, should last for some time. |
|
|
Electrical
Tape (for fastening wires to pull throughs,
finishing off wiring connections, and protecting the
grounding straps) |
 |
Silicone Sealer |
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Carpet knife |
|
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Cable types: For information on fibre optic cable
types and connectors, see
Activity 1.
|
