3m Fibrlok ii User manual

3M™Fibrlok™II Universal Optical

Fiber Splice 2529

Instructions

December 2015

78-8128-0163-3-H

1.0 General

1.1 The 3M™Fibrlok™II Universal Optical Fiber Splice

2529 provides permanent mechanical splices for

single- or multimode fiber having 125 μm diameter

cladding. The 2529 universal splice is designed

to accommodate any combination of fibers with

coating diameters from 250 μm to 900 μm.

1.2 All Fibrlok 2529 splices are gray in color and

are marked with the 3M Fibrlok II logo on the

splice cap.

1.50" (38.1 mm)

0.250"

(6.4 mm)

.150"

(3.8 mm)

Jacket

Cap

End Plug

(each end)

Fiber Entry Port

(each end)

3M Fibrlok II Specs

Provided by www.AAATesters.com

1.3 Kit Contents

a. 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly Tool 2501

b. Cap lifter

c. 3M™Fiber Cleaver 2534

d. Lint free cloths (100/pkg)

e. 3M™Fiber Stripping Tool 6362-TH

f. 3M™Fiber Snips 6365-KS

g. Cleaning alcohol bottle

h. 3M™Fibrlok™Splice Holder 2539

i. 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly Tool 2540G

j. Instruction manual (not shown)

1.4 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly Tool 2501

Fiber alignment guides (2)

Toggle arm

Fiber retention pad

Splice holding cradle

Mounting holes (4) Base

Toggle arm

Fiber retention pad

Fiber cleave length gauge

(both ends of tool)

Finger cutout

Instruction label (2)

Pivoted handle (shown open)

1.5 Some compatible 3M™Fiber Splice Tray product

numbers are: 2522, 2524, 2523, 2527.

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2.0 Splicing Set-Up

2.1 The splicing area should be clean, dry and well-

lit. A clean, well-organized splicing area will

improve splice efficiency and minimize the risk of

contamination of fibers or splices.

2.2 Open the buffer tubes, expose and clean the fibers

per your company practice.

Note: Storage, use and disposal of isopropyl alcohol

should be per your company health, safety and

environmental instructions. Refer to solvent label

or Safety Data Sheet.

2.3 Remove the 3M™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, safety and environmental

information on Fibrlok II splice label or Safety

Data Sheet.

 CAUTION

May cause minimal eye irritation.

Contains: Phenylmethyl silicone (63148-58-3), hydrophobic silica

(68611-44-9).

Precautions: Avoid eye contact. Wash hands before eating or smoking.

First Aid:

Eye Contact: Immediately ush eyes with plenty of water while

holding eyelids open and continue ushing for ten

minutes. Call a physician.

Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water.

Production Information Source: Safety Data Sheet or

3M Company, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000, (612) 733-111-: Operator 55

2.4 If using the 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly Tool 2501,

rotate the toggle arms for the appropriate

fiber size.

378-8128-0163-3-H December 2015

3.0 Fiber Preparation

3.1 Remove the minimum length of fiber required to

prepare and splice the fibers.

3.2 Strip approximately 1 to 2 inches (25 mm to

51 mm) of plastic coating from the fiber using

a mechanical stripper.

Note: The stripper should be in good operating condition

to prevent scratches or other damage

to the glass cladding.

1" to 2" (25 mm - 51 mm)

3.3 Clean the bare glass by pulling the fiber through

an alcohol soaked lint-free wipe. This will remove

any fragments or dirt remaining on the fiber.

Note:Donotwipethebersmorethantwotimes,

andlimitthetimethatthebareberisexposed

to the atmosphere.

Note: Carefully follow health, safety and environmental

information on container label or Safety Data Sheet

for isopropyl alcohol being used.

3.4 Cleave the fiber to 12.5 mm ±0.5 mm

(0.492 ±0.020 inches).

Important: The 3M™Fibrlok™ II Universal Splice 2529 uses

a cleave length of 12.5 mm ±0.5 mm

(0.492 ±0.020 inches) for both 250

and 900

mcoatedbers.

Note: The cleaver should be in good operating condition

and used in accordance with the manufacturer's

instructions. It is recommended that the cleaver

provide a consistent cleave-to-coating length within

±0.5 mm. In addition, standard cleavers should pro-

duce cleaved ends within 2° of perpendicular and

freeofmajordefects.Cleaversspecicallydesigned

to produce controlled, angled cleaves of greater

than 2°, but not more than 6°, may also be used with

the 3M FibrlokSplice.

3.5 Check the cleave length using the 12.5 mm cleave

length gauges on the 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly Tool

2501. Adjust the cleaver to provide the prescribed

cleave lengths. Check cleave lengths periodically

during subsequent splicing operations.

Note: Do not allow cleaved end to contact tool.

Donotcleanthebersagainaftertheyhave

been cleaved.

250µm 900µm

250µm : 12.5 mm

900µm : 12.5 mm

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4.0 Splice Assembly

4.1 Push the fiber down into the fiber retention pad on

the proper side of the splice.

Note:HoldthecoatedportionoftheberONLY.Donot

allow the cleaved end to contact any surface before

insertion into the splice.

4.2 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: When splicing 250

m to 900

mcoatedber,

always insert the 250

mcoatedberrst.

Note: Fiber should be placed in the retention pad and

inserted into the splice immediately following

cleaningtominimizeexposuretotheatmosphere

and reduce the risk of contamination.

Note:Pushberstraightintoberalignmentguide,

NOTATANANGLE.

4.3 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berandcontinueinsertionuntil

resistance is met. Never fullyremovebersfrom

spliceafterinitialinsertion.Donotpullonber

after it has been properly inserted.

4.4 Prepare second fiber (strip, clean and cleave)

as described in Section 3.

4.5 Lay fiber into foam retention pad and begin to

insert the fiber end into the splice, as in 4.1

and 4.2.

578-8128-0163-3-H December 2015

4.6 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.

4.7 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.

4.8 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bersfollowing

establishmentofthebowsintherstandsecond

bers.Theberendsmustbeheldtogetherbythe

compressive forces induced by the bows to produce

a low loss splice.

 IfberbowsareNOTobservedtomoveas

described, repeat steps 4.2 – 4.7 of splice assembly

butDONOTfullyremovebersfromthesplice.If

bowmovementisstillnotobserved,removebers,

strip, clean and re-cleave, checking for proper

cleave length. Re-splice per splicing procedure

using a new splice.

Do not attempt to “tune” or optimize the splice

as this may result in higher splice loss. The

3M™Fibrlok™ II Splice is not designed to be

“tuned.” Fiber alignment does not occur until

the splice is activated.

4.9 Pivot the handle of the 3M™Fibrlok™Assembly

Tool 2501 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.

4.10 Remove the 3M 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: In the event a splice must be refabricated, simply

cutthebersateachendofthesplice(thiswill

remove1-1/2"ofberfromtheloop)andre-splice

per instructions. Splice fabrication will require a

newspliceandalengthof2inchesoneachber.

Note:Donotremovebersandre-use3MFibrlokSplices.

6 78-8128-0163-3-HDecember 2015

5.0 Fiber Repositioning

5.1 If high loss is observed after splice has been

actuated, it is possible that the fiber ends are

separated. In this case, lift the splice cap and

reposition fiber ends, as instructed below.

Note:Donotcompletelyremoveberfrom

3M™Fibrlok™Splices.

5.2 While the splice is in the splice holding cradle,

insert the short prongs of the cap lifter into the

two holes on the side of the splice. The cap lifter

will be at an angle to the splice. The long prongs

will be resting against the top of the splice cap.

5.3 Slide the bottom of the cap lifter inward until it is

in a vertical position, lifting the splice slightly out

of the cradle.

5.4 Hold the cap lifter in place with one hand and

push down on the ends of the splice with the other

hand. This action should reseat the splice into the

holding cradle and lift the cap at the same time.

5.5 Repeat fiber centering and splice actuation

(See step 4.6 – 4.9). If after two attempts an

acceptable splice loss is not obtained, remove

fiber, strip, clean and re-cleave. Re-splice using

a new splice.

6.0 Fiber Organization and

Splice Storage

6.1 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.

Note: The following procedure must be followed when

splicing 900

mcoatedbersandwillimproveber

organizationwhensplicingallbertypes.

6.2 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.

6.3 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.

6.4 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.

778-8128-0163-3-H December 2015

6.5 Remove the minimum amount of fiber required for

fiber preparation and splicing. Remove less than

one loop if possible.

6.6 Prepare fibers and complete splice as described in

Section 3 and 4.

6.7 Carefully lay the splice on top of the holder

without securing the splice into the holder.

Note:Inordertominimizetorsionontheber,perform

the following:

6.8 For 250 to 250 µm and 900 to 900 µm splices:

a. Store the shorter of the two fibers in the tray.

b. Observe how the splice lays in its relaxed state.

Rotate the splice through the smallest possible

angle to install it in the tray.

c. Store the second fiber.

For 250 to 900 µm splices:

a. Store the 900 µm ber rst.

b. Grasping the splice by the 900 µm ber,

observe how the splice lays in its relaxed

state. Rotate the splice through the smallest

possible angle to install it in the tray.

c. Store the 250 µm ber.

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7.0 Splicing Accessories

7.1 The 3M™Fiber Splice Organizer Tray 2523 holds

up to 24 3M™Fibrlok™Splices and provides

excellent 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.

7.2 The 3M™Fiber Splice Organizer Tray 2524 splice

tray fits and mounts into the 3M™Fiber Optic

Splice Closure 2178. It is also compatible with

a variety of non-3M closures.

978-8128-0163-3-H December 2015

Communication Markets Division

6801 River Place Blvd.

Austin, TX 78726-9000

Phone 1-800-426-8688

Web www.3M.com/Telecom

3M and Fibrlok are trademarks of 3M Company.

Important Notice

All statements, technical information, and recommendations related to 3M’s products are based on information believed to be reliable, but the

accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. Before using this product, you must evaluate it and determine if it is suitable for your intended

application. You assume all risks and liability associated with such use. Any statements related to the product which are not contained in 3M’s current

publications, or any contrary statements contained on your purchase order shall have no force or eect unless expressly agreed upon, in writing, by an

authorized ocer of 3M.

Warranty; Limited Remedy; Limited Liability.

This product will be free from defects in material and manufacture for a period of one (1) year from the time of purchase. 3M MAKES NO OTHER

WARRANTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR

PURPOSE. If this product is defective within the warranty period stated above, your exclusive remedy shall be, at 3M’s option, to replace or repair the