Hair clips used to strip fiber optic cables

Fiber optic strippers, often resembling small pliers or hair clips, are precision tools used to remove coatings and jackets from optical fibers without damaging the glass core.

Overview

Fiber optic cables are protected by polymer coatings and jackets that must be removed for splicing, connectorization, or testing. Stripping tools are designed to expose the bare glass fiber cleanly, typically over a defined length of 30–40 mm, without scratching or nicking the fiber . These tools are essential for both standard telecommunication fibers (125 µm glass with ~250 µm coating) and specialty fibers with thinner coatings .

Types of Fiber Strippers

1. Mechanical Strippers These resemble small pliers or hair clips and have precision slots or jaws that grip the fiber coating. By squeezing and sliding the tool along the fiber, the coating is removed. Examples include:
   • FOS03 Fiber Stripper: Strips the primary or secondary coating by holding the cable in a slot and sliding off the coating .
   • CFS-2 Fiber Cable Cutting Scissors: Uses a three-hole segmented design to strip multiple layers, including the outer sheath, without damaging the fiber .
2. Thermal Strippers These use controlled heat to soften or melt the coating for easy removal. Tools like the M9 thermal stripper can handle multiple fiber cores and ribbon fibers, with adjustable temperature settings for different coatings .
3. Specialized Multi-Function Tools Some tools, such as the CST-4000 Round Cable Strip & Ring Tool, allow longitudinal, spiral, and circular cuts for jackets of various diameters, combining stripping and cutting in one device .
4. Customizable Stripping Kits Kits like Micro-Strip® provide interchangeable blades and fiber guides to accommodate different fiber diameters and jacket sizes, offering flexibility for technicians .

Usage Tips

• Select the correct slot or blade for the fiber diameter to avoid nicking the glass.
• Strip only the required length (usually 30–50 mm) to prevent fiber damage .
• Clean the bare fiber after stripping using lint-free wipes and high-purity alcohol to remove residue .
• Handle with care: even minor scratches can affect splicing or signal transmission.

Conclusion

Hair clip-like fiber strippers are precision mechanical tools designed to safely remove coatings from optical fibers. Depending on the application, technicians may use mechanical, thermal, or multi-function strippers to prepare fibers for splicing, connectorization, or testing, ensuring high-quality optical performance .