3M Fibrlok II User manual

January 2009
78-8140-1580-2-C
3M™Fibrlok™II Angle Fiber Splice 2529-AS
3M™Fibrlok™250 µm Angle Fiber Splice 2540-AS
Instructions

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Contents
1.0 Summary.............................................................................................................................................3
2.0 Splicing Set-up....................................................................................................................................4
3.0 Fiber Preparation.................................................................................................................................4
4.0 Splice Assembly..................................................................................................................................7
5.0 Fiber Repositioning for 3M™Fibrlok™II Fiber Splice.......................................................................8
6.0 Fiber Organization and Splice Storage ...............................................................................................9
Safety Precautions
Protective Eyewear
cCAUTION
Safety glasses should be worn when handling chemicals and cleaving the optical fiber.
Chemical Precautions
cWARNING
Storage, use and disposal of isopropyl alcohol should be per your company health, safety and environmental instructions. Refer to
material safety data sheet for health hazards, safe handling, proper use and control measures.
cCAUTION
Product contains phenylmethyl silicone (63148-58-3), hydrophobic silica (68611-44-9) and may cause minimal eye irritation. Avoid
contact with eyes and wash hands before eating or smoking. Upon eye contact, immediately flush eyes with water while holding
eyelids open and continue flushing for ten minutes. Contact a physician. Upon skin contact, wash with soap and water. Product
Information: Material Safety Data Sheet or 3M Company, St. Paul MN, 55144-1000, [phone] Operator 55
Bare Fiber Handling
cCAUTION
Cleaved glass fibers are sharp and can pierce the skin. Use tweezers when handling shards and dispose of them properly per your
company health and safety instructions.
Fiber/Cable Handling
cCAUTION
Optical fiber can be damaged by excessive tensile, compressive and bending forces. Consult the manufacturers' specifications for
proper handling instructions.
Laser Safety
cCAUTION
Take the proper precautions when working with optical fiber because invisible laser light may be present. The principal laser hazard
when working with fiber optics is injury to the eye. Never look directly into the fiber or connector using the naked eye or a microscope.

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1.0 Summary
1.1 3M™Fibrlok™II Angle Fiber Splice was designed for the splicing of any combination of 250 µm and 900 µm fibers
while the 3M™Fibrlok™250 µm Angle Fiber Splice specifically splices 250 µm fiber with a smaller form factor. The
Fibrlok splices keyed, angle cleave fibers for excellent optical reflection performance. Each angle fiber splice has a
green end cap to identify it as the angle splice version after installation.
The following installation instructions shown in sections 2, 3 and 4 apply to both Fibrlok II and Fibrlok 250 µm. Both
are installed with the same procedure and tools. Sections 5 and 6 are specifically for Fibrlok II 2529-AS. Section 5
relates to the repositioning of the fiber if a high splice loss is seen. This is possible only using Fibrlok II 2529-AS.
Section 6 has recommendations for the management of 900 µm fiber in a splice tray.
3M™Fibrlok™II Angle Fiber Splice 2529-AS 3M™Fibrlok™250 µm Angle Fiber Splice 2540-AS
1.2 Required tools, which are available in the 3M™Fiber Optic Angle Cleave Kit 2565
3M™Fiber Optic
Angle Cleaver 2535
Fiber Holders
3M™Fibrlok
Angle Splice
Assembly Tool
2501-AS with
Holders
Lint-Free Cloths
Base
3M™Fiber Stripper 6365-KS
Isopropyl Alcohol
Fiber Shard
Container

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1.3 For situations where a suitable work area is not
available, the case and plastic plate, which are
included in the 3M™Fiber Optic Angle Cleave
Kit 2565, can create a work station. The case can
be set on level ground, on a vehicle, or hung by
the straps.
1.4 Add one full bottle (1.8 fl. oz./53 ml.) of 99%
pure isopropyl alcohol into lint-free cloth
container to pre-moisten wipes.
2.0 Splicing Set-up
2.1 Carefully clean both fiber holders with a lint-free
cloth and alcohol.
2.2 Clean both edges of the area where the splice is set in
the tool.
2.3 Remove the 3M™Fibrlok™Angle Splice from the
package and identify that it is an angle splice by
the green end cap. Place splice in the tool with the
Fibrlok cap up.
3.0 Fiber Preparation
3.1 Open all three angle cleaver clamps and levers.
3.2 Carefully clean the cleaver clamps using a small
brush.

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3.3 For 900 µm buffer fiber, cut the buffer. If the 900 µm
slides easily from the fiber it is loose tube or semi-
tight buffered fiber.
In this instance, use the fiber holders' clamp to
prohibit the buffer from moving or stretching during
the stripping process. Place the fiber into the fiber
holder groove, labeled "semi-tight", with the fiber to
be stripped protruding from the back of the holder.
Close the clamp and proceed to strip and clean
the fiber. Once complete, remove the fiber from
the holder. If the 250 µm fiber still moves inside the
900 µm buffer after it is clamped in the "semi-tight"
groove, then the connector must be installed on the
250 µm fiber. Strip at least eight inches (203 mm) of
the 900 µm buffer and complete the installation.
Semi-Tight Buffered Fibers
3.4 For all fibers, strip the 900 µm and 250 µm coatings
exposing glass for 1.67" to 1.77" (42.5 mm to
45 mm).
Tight Buffered and 250 µm Fibers
3.5 To verify the correct strip length, use the white marks
on the left side of the cleaver. Align the coating edge
to the left edge of the cleaver and the fiber tip should
be between the two white lines.
3.6 Clean fiber with alcohol and lint-free cloth.
3.7 With the two covers and clamp open, place the
assembly tool fiber holder onto the cleaver. Push the
holder toward the cleaver blade until it stops.