3M Fibrlok 2525 User manual

Instructions
Issue 6, August 1991
Fibrlok Optical Fiber
Splicing System
TM

1.0 General
The 3M brand FibrlokTM Optical Fiber Splicing System
provides permanent mechanical splices for single or multi
mode fiber having 125 µm diameter cladding. Three color
coded versions of the Fibrlok Splice are available for splicing
250 µm and 900 µm diameter plastic coated fiber.
1.01 Fibrlok Optical Fiber Splice
Jacket
Cap
Fiber Entry Port
(each end)
Fiber Size Designation Circles
(1/4 circle for 250 µm coating,
full circle for 900 µm coated fiber)
End Plug
(each end)
The Fibrlok 2599 Splice is for splicing 900 µm fiber to 900
µm fiber:
The Fibrlok 2590 Splice is for splicing 250 µm fiber to 900
µm fiber:
The Fibrlok 2525 Splice is for splicing 250 µm fiber to 250
µm fiber:

1.02 Fibrlok 2501 AssemblyTool
1.04 Compatible Organizers
3M 2118, 3M 2524
AT&T UC-SS/M1
GTE Part 910470 0000, 910470 1000
Siecor M67-070
Others compatible with minor modifications:
DiTel UST 3000, UST 3010, UST 3500
AT&T 846 280 626, 846 280 634,
846 280 642, 846 280 659
Raychem FOSC 100/TK
Toggle Arm
Splice Holding
Cradle
Finger Cutout Base Fiber Cleave
Length Gauge
(both ends of tool)
Pivoted Handle
(shown open) Toggle Arm
Fiber Retention
Pad
Fiber Alignment
Guides (2)
Fiber Retention
Pad
Instruction Label (2)
Mounting Holes (4)
1.03 Tools and Materials Required
FibrlokTM 2500 or 2501 Assembly Tool
Plastic Coating (Buffer) Stripper
Reagent Grade Isopropyl Alcohol
Lint Free Wipes
Cleaver
Fibrlok 2505 Assembly Tool Mounting Adaptor (optional)
Fibrlok Video Instruction Tape (optional)
Tool Kit (optional)

2.0 Splicing Set-Up
2.01 The splicing area should be clean, dry and well-lighted. A
clean, well organized splicing area will improve splicing
efficiency and minimize the risk of contamination of fibers or
splices.
2.02 Open the buffer tubes, expose and clean the fibers per
company practice.
2.03 See Section 5.0 for recommended procedures for fiber
organization and splice storage.
2.04 Remove Fibrlok splice from protective package. Load the
splice into the assembly tool by pressing firmly at the ends
of the splice.
Note: Carefully follow health and safety information on
Fibrlok Splice label or Material Safety Data Sheet.
2.05 If using the Fibrlok 2501 Assembly Tool, rotate the toggle
arms for the appropriate fiber size.
Inward - 250 µm
Outward - 900 µm
Note: Storage, use and disposal of isopropyl alcohol
should be per company health and safety
instructions. Refer to solvent label or Material Safety
Data Sheet.

3.0 Fiber Preparation
3.01 Remove the minimum length of fiber required to prepare
and splice the fibers.
1" to 2" (depending on cleaver)
3.02 Strip approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of plastic
coating from the fiber using a mechanical stripper.
Note: The stripper used should be in good operating
condition to prevent scratches or other damage
to the glass cladding.
3.03 Clean the bare glass by pulling the fiber through an
alchohol soaked lint-free wipe.This will remove any
fragments or dirt remaining on the fiber.
Note: Do not wipe the fibers more than two times, and
limit the time that the bare fiber is exposed to the
atmosphere.
Cleave Length for
End of Splice with
White Plug & Symbol
Cleave Length for
End of Splice with
Black Plug & Symbol
Fibrlok Splice
Designation
3M Fibrlok 2525
(250 µm x 250 µm)
3M Fibrlok 2590
(250 µm x 900 µm)
3M Fibrlok 2599
(900 µm x 900 µm)
14.0 mm ± 0.5 mm
(.551 in. ± .020 in.)
14.0 mm ± 0.5 mm
(.551 in ± .020 in.)
12.5 mm ± 0.5 mm
(.492 in. ± .020 in.)
Note: The cleaver should be in good operating condition
and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. A cleaver that produces cleaved ends
within 2° of perpendicular and free of major defects
is recommended. Dispose of cleaved fiber ends per
company practice.
3.04 Cleave fiber to the length indicated on the chart.
3.05 Check the cleave length using the cleave length gauge on
the Fibrlok AssemblyTool. Adjust the cleaver to provide
the prescribed cleave lengths. Check cleave lengths
periodically during subsequent splicing operations. Do not
allow cleaved end to contact tool.
12.5mm
14.0mm
12.5 mm ± 0.5 mm
(.492 in. ± .020 in.)

4.01 Push the fiber down into the fiber retention pad on the
proper side of the splice.
Note: Hold the coated portion of the fiber ONLY.
Do not allow the cleaved end to contact
any surface before insertion into the splice.
4.0 Splice Assembly
4.02 Grasp the coated fiber about .25 inches (6 mm) from the
bare glass and move the fiber end onto the fiber alignment
guide on the Assembly Tool such that the end is resting on
the alignment guide outside of the splice.
Note: Fiber should be inserted into the splice immediately
following cleaning and placing in retention pad to
minimize exposure to the atmosphere and reduce the
risk of contamination.
Note: Push fiber straight into fiber alignment guide. . .
Not at an angle. . .
4.03 Gently continue pushing the fiber into the splice until
resistance is felt. When fully inserted, the first fiber should
be straight or have a slight bow - up to .1 inch (3 mm).
Note: If properly inserted, bare glass should not be visible
outside of splice. If bare glass is visible, pull back
slightly on fiber and continue insertion until
resistance is met. Never fully remove fibers from
splice after initial insertion. Do not pull on fiber after
it has been properly inserted.

4.06 Gently push the second fiber in small increments straight
through the alignment guide into the fiber entry port. As
the coating of the second fiber enters the fiber entry port,
watch for the bow in the first fiber to increase. This occurs
when the end face of the second fiber contacts the first
fiber and pushes the first fiber slightly back out of the
splice. Continue gently pushing the second fiber until it
meets resistance. Following proper insertion, the second
fiber will be approximately straight but may have up to a .1
inch (3 mm) maximum bow. At this point, the first fiber will
have a larger bow than the second fiber and larger than it
had initially.
4.07 Push the first fiber back against the second fiber until there
are equal bows in both fibers.
Note: Do not pull on either of the fibers following
establishment of the bows in the first and second
fibers. The fiber ends must be held together by the
compressive forces induced by the bows to produce
a low loss splice.
4.08 Pivot the handle of the Fibrlok Assembly Tool down until it
contacts the cap of the Fibrlok Splice. Squeeze the
handle of the assembly tool as shown in order to close
cap and actuate the splice. When possible, secure the
tool to a work surface for added support. A snap sound
will be heard when the splice is actuated.
4.04 Prepare second fiber (strip, clean and cleave) as described
in Section 3.
4.05 Lay fiber into foam retention pad and begin to insert the
fiber end into the splice, as in 4.01 and 4.02.

4.09 Remove the Fibrlok Splice from the Assembly Tool by first
removing the fibers from the foam retention pads and then
lifting the splice from the splice holding cradle.
Note: Do not attempt to “tune” or optimize the splice as
this may result in higher splice loss. Fibrlok splices
optimize fiber alignment within the metal element
inside the splice when properly installed per the
previous instructions.
If fiber bows are NOT observed as described, repeat
steps 4.02 - 4.07 of Splice Assembly but DO NOT
fully remove fibers from splice. If bows are still not
observed, remove fibers, strip, and recleave
checking for proper cleave length. Resplice per
splicing procedure using_a_new splice.
In the event a splice must be refabricated, simply cut
the fibers at each end of the splice (this will remove 1
1/2" of fiber from the loop) and resplice per
instructions. Splice refabrication will require a
length of 2 inches on each fiber.
DO NOT REUSE FIBRLOK SPLICES.
5.0 Fiber Organization and Splice Storage
When storing fiber slack in a splice tray, the spliced fiber
ends will twist one full turn for each full loop of fiber being
stored. This rotation places stress on the fibers. This
rotational stress makes fiber organization more difficult and
may affect fiber/splice performance, particularly in 900 µm
coated fibers. The stiffness of the 900 µm fiber does not
distribute this stress in the same manner as 250 µm coated
fiber. The following procedure is strongly recommended
when splicing 900 µm coated fibers and will improve fiber
organization when splicing all fiber types.
5.01 Secure the buffer tubes of the fibers to be spliced to the tray
so that the fibers are free to rotate through the point of
attachment.
5.02 Select the first two fibers to be spliced and lay them into the
tray. Trim the fibers so they are the right length for splicing
plus approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) for fiber end
preparation.

5.03 Place the splice assembly tool close to or on top of the
splice tray. Match the orientation of the tool to that of the
splice holder or tray whenever possible.
5.04 Remove the minimum amount of fiber required for fiber
preparation and splicing. Remove less than one loop if
possible.
5.05 Prepare fibers and complete splice as desribed in Section
3 and 4.
5.06 Carefully lay the splice on top of the holder without
securing the splice into the holder.

5.07 Storing 250 µm to 250 µm and 900 µm to 900 µm splices:
1. Store the shorter of the two fibers in the tray.
2. Observe how the splice lays in its relaxed state. Rotate
the splice through the smallest possible angle to
install it in the tray.
3. Store the second fiber.
Storing 250 µm to 900 µm splices:
1. Store the 900 µm fiber first.
2. Grasping the splice by the 900 µm fiber, observe how the
splice lays in its relaxed state. Rotate the splice
through the smallest possible angle to install it into the
tray.
3. Store the 250 µm fiber.
6.02 The 3M FibrlokTM 2505 Assembly Tool Mounting Adapter
permits mounting of the Fibrlok AssemblyTool on standard
3M MS2TM Splicing Rigs, conventional camera-type tripods,
and other standard telco splicing rig components. The
2505 Mounting Adapter provides the ability to mount the
Fibrlok Assembly Tool on a variety of surfaces, and in any
orientation, for splicing in difficult locations such as
manholes, aerial splice points, pedestals and distribution
frames.
6.0 Splicing Accessories
6.01 The 3M FibrlokTM 2524 Splice Organizer Tray holds up to 24
Fibrlok Splices and provides superior fiber and splice
organization. Easily installed, the tray will accommodate up
to eight buffer tubes holding up to 48 fibers (250 µm or 900
µm coated fibers) and can be adapted for fusion splice
storage.
The 2524 Splice Tray fits and mounts into the 3M 2177
Fiber Optic Splice Closure, the 3M 2178 Fiber Optic Splice
Case and the 3M 2190 PST Fiber Optic Splice Closure. It
is also compatible with a variety of non-3M closures.

Fiber Splice Preperation Kits:
#2530 Kit with all components listed below and
Thomas & Betts Cleave Tool
#2533 Kit with all components listed below
excluding Fibrlok Assembly
#2531 Kit with all components listed below
Splice Kits Components Listing
(available seperately)
Fibrlok Assembly Tool
Cable Strippers
Cleaning Alcohol Bottle
Scissors
No-Nik Stripper (.008)
Micro-Stripper (.006)
Lint Free Cloth (100/pkg.)
Magnifier, Cleaved Fiber Inspection
Coaxial Cable Stripper
Instruction Manual
6.03 3M Fiber Preparation Kits provide all the tools necessary
for the assembly of the Fibrlok Splice. Fiber Splice
Preparation Kits are available in a variety of combinations
with or without the Fibrlok Assembly Tool and/or the
cleaving tool, for those who may already own these splicing
tools:
3M Stock Number
80-6105-8187-0
80-6104-4314-7
80-6104-4329-5
80-6104-4754-4
80-6104-4808-8
80-6105-7250-7
80-6104-4324-6
80-6104-4799-9
78-8073-7415-8
78-6900-1905-0
80-6104-5390-6
80-6104-5319-5
80-6104-5317-9

3M TelComm Products Division
6801 River Place Blvd.
Austin, TX 78726-9000
Litho in U.S.A.
1991 3M
Important Notice
All statements, technical information and recommendations related to the Seller's products are based on information believed to
be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness thereof is not guaranteed. Before utilizing the product, the user should determine
the suitability of the product for its intended use. The user assumes all risks and liability whatsoever in connection with such use.
Any statements or recommendations of the Seller which are not contained in the Seller's current publications shall have no force
or effect unless contained in an agreement signed by an authorized officer of the Seller. The statements contained herein are
made in lieu of all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose which warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
SELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE USER OR ANY OTHER PERSON UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY, FOR ANY INJURY OR FOR ANY DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES SUSTAINED OR INCURRED BY REASON OF THE USE OF ANY OF THE SELLER'S PRODUCTS THAT WERE
DEFECTIVE.
34-7029-7282-8