CORNING OFT-000 User manual

1. General
1.1 This procedure describes how to access fibers in a
buffer tube in a mid-span location with or without slack
using the Corning Cable Systems OFT-000 Optical Fiber
Access Tool (OFAT (Figure 1 .
1.2 The Optical Fiber Access Tool is designed to split a
buffer tube to expose the fibers inside without damaging
them. The resulting buffer tube halves can be easily
removed with scissors.
1.3 The tool utilizes blades mounted in two precisely
machined grooves to cut the buffer tubes. The smaller
groove cuts buffer tubes 2.4 mm - 2.6 mm (0.094 -
0.102 in. in diameter; the larger groove cuts buffer tubes
2.7 mm - 3.1 mm (0.106 - 0.122 in. in diameter.
1.4 The OFT-000 tool is equipped with a gauge to
determine buffer tube diameter. A thumbscrew latch
facilitates cutting buffer tubes in situations where it is
difficult for the operator to grip the tool.
1.5 Both center pieces and all four outer pieces of the
OFT-000 are marked with either one or two dots to aid in
reassembling the tool after cleaning or blade replace-ment.
1.6 This issue illustrates OFT-000 tools manufactured
after February, 1993. If you are using the previous model
OFT-000 (Figure 2 , please refer to issue 3 of this
document .
Figure 2
1.7 This issue reflects the introduction of Gel-free buffer
tubes.
2. Precautions
2.1 Safety Precautions
2.2 Chemical Precautions
2.3 Buffer Tube Handling Precautions
Corning Cable Systems
SRP-004-014
Issue 12 January 2005
Page 1 of 4
Corning Cable Systems
Optical iber Access Tool (O T-000)
B
A
p/n 004-014
END
AXB
OFAT
BEG.
Safety Glasses
WARNING: The wearing of safety glasses to
protect the eyes from accidental injury is strongly
recommended when handling chemicals and cutting
fiber.
Safety Gloves
CAUTION: The wearing of safety gloves to
protect your hands from accidental injury when using sharp-
bladed tools is strongly recommended. Use extreme care when
the utility knife's blade is exposed. Dispose of used blades
Fiber-Clean Wipes
WARNING: Contains hydrocarbons. pply in
rooms having normal room ventilation. For prolonged
and/or repeated use, gloves are recommended. void eye
contact. Keep away from open flames and ignition sources.
If ingested, do not induce vomiting. Consult a physician. If
contact with eyes, wash eyes with water for 15 minutes.
CAUTION: Buffer tubes are sensitive to excessive
pulling, bending and crushing forces. Great care should be
exercised when handling buffer tubes. Excessive bending will
cause kinking which may damage the fibers inside.
Figure 1

3. Tools and Materials
3.1 The following items are required to operate and/or
change the blades in the OFT-000 Optical Fiber Access
Tool:
• 7/64-inch hex wrench
• Scissors*
• Fiber-Clean®wipes if filling compound is present
• Replacement blades, p/n OFT-001
* Items found in the M67-003 Fusion Splicer Tool Kit
or TKT-005 Sheath Removal Tool Kit.
4. Buffer Tube Measurement
4.1 This procedure assumes that the cable sheath has
been removed and the buffer tubes exposed. If necessary,
refer to the appropriate Corning Cable Systems cable
stripping procedure for the cable you are installing.
4.2 Separate the buffer tube(s to be accessed from the
bundle of buffer tubes. Clean the buffer tube with cable
cleaner.
4.3 Table 1 lists standard buffer tubes and the respective
slot of the OFAT tool used to access the fibers inside the
tube.
Table 1
4.4 The tool is equipped with a gauge to measure buffer
tubes when the tube size is unknown. This gauge
determines the following:
• If the buffer tube is too small or too large for the tool.
• Which groove (A or B should be used to cut the
buffer tube.
4.5 To use the buffer tube gauge :
a Loosen the thumb screw until you can rotate the top
half of the tool 90° to make the gauge accessible.
Tighten the screw back down.
b Try to fit the buffer tube in the slot marked “X”.
If the buffer tube fits, it is too small for the tool.
Note: Do not use force when placing the buffer tube
in the gauge. Excessive force may damage the
buffer tube or the fibers inside.
c If the buffer tube fits in “A”, then use groove “A”
when following the instructions in Section 4
(Figure 3 .
Figure 3
d If the buffer tube is too large for “A” but fits into “B”,
then use “B”.
e If the buffer tube is too large for slot “B”, it is too
large for the tool.
5. Buffer Tube Access
5.1 Loosen the thumb screw again and rotate the top
half of the tool 90° back to its normal position. Tighten the
thumb screw only enough to seat the vertical guides from
the bottom half of the tool into the holes in the OFAT's
top half.
5.2 Slide the buffer tube to be accessed into the
appropriate groove at the point where the cut must begin,
as indicated by the "BEG." line engraved on top of the tool
(Figure 4 .
Notes: The exposed fiber length will depend on the hardware
type and application. Confirm the exposed length before accessing
the tube.
The arrows on the top and bottom of the tool indicate the
direction the tool cuts. Make sure that you have correctly placed
the tool on the buffer tube ( sample application is shown in
Figure 5).
Page 2 SRP-004-014 Issue 12
AXB
END.
OFAT
BEG.
XB
OFAT
BEG.
END
A
Begining of cut
Buffer tube
Tube Outside Diameter OFAT Slot
2.4 to 2.6 mm (0.094 to 0.102 in. A
2.7 to 3.1 mm (0.106 to 0.122 in. B
Figure 4

Figure 5
If the buffer tube is placed in the wrong groove, the tool may not
cut the tube completely or fibers may be damaged.
5.3 Press the halves together and tighten the thumb
screw. Make sure that the tube is completely seated in the
groove.
5.4 Pull the tool slowly and steadily along the buffer tube
in the direction of the arrows indicated on the tool for a
distance of approximately 60 cm (24 in. (Figure 5 .
5.5 Once you have opened the tube for a length of 60 cm
(24 in. , stop and:
a Carefully separate the split tube halves from the
fibers.
b Loop the split buffer tube halves around a finger to
secure the uncut tube ahead of the tool (Figure 6 .
Figure 6
c Continue to pull the tool down the tube until you
have split another 60 cm (24 in. of tube. Repeat
step b at this point. You must move the finger
holding the split tube after every 60 cm (24 in..
of splitting.
d Continue repeating steps a through c until the
"END" mark on top of the tool has reached the
desired end point on the buffer tube.
5.6 Loosen the thumbscrew and remove the tool from
the buffer tube.
5.7 Use scissors with great care to remove the resulting
buffer tube halves (Figure 7 . If the buffer tube is Gel-free,
carefully cut out the water-block yarns. If filling compound
is present, wipe the filling compound from the exposed
fibers with Fiber-clean wipes.The fiber is now ready to be
cut at its proper end and spliced / connectorized to another
fiber.
Figure 7
6. Blade Replacement
6.1 Loosen the thumbscrew until you can completely
separate the halves of the OFAT (Figure 8 .
Issue 12 SRP-004-014 Page 3
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END.
OFAT
BEG.
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Fibers
Split
buffer
tube
Caution: Fibers will be hanging loosely during the
remainder of the access procedure. Use great care to avoid
snagging or breaking the fibers.
XB
OFAT
END
BEG.
A
Figure 8

6.2 Starting with either tool half, use a 7/64-inch hex
wrench to remove the screw closest to the first blade to be
replaced; loosen but do not remove the other screw (see
Figure 9 .
6.3 Pivot the outer piece around the loosened screw so
that the blade is exposed (Figure 9 . Carefully remove the
old blade and dispose of it properly.
Figure 9
6.4 Place the new blade into the tool with the ground side
of the new blade facing the piece of the tool with the
recessed area provided for the blade (see Figure 9 .
Make sure that the radiused section of the blade is
fully seated against the radiused section on the tool.
6.5 Using the corner of a flat surface, such as a counter
top or bench, press the tool down flush so that individual
parts of the tool are properly aligned (Figure 10 .
Figure 10
6.6 Hold the pieces of the tool so that they fit flush along
the ends. Reinsert the screw removed in step 6.2. Tighten
both screws with the hex wrench.
6.7 Repeat steps 6.2 through 6.6 for the remainder of the
blades in the tool.
6.8 Place the two halves of the tool together. Re-thread
the thumb screw and turn it enough to secure the tool in
its open position.
6.9 Test the new blades on a scrap length of buffer tube to
verify that the tool is properly assembled. To prevent
damage to the blades, tool, or fibers, make sure that all of the
new blades are still properly seated.
Page 4 SRP-004-014 Issue 12
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X
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Radiused
areas
Ground
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of blade
X
B
A
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