Coaxial Fiber Optic Cable Strippers

Fiber optic and coaxial cable strippers are precision tools designed to remove cable jackets, coatings, and buffer layers without damaging the underlying conductors or fibers.

Fiber Optic Cable Strippers

Fiber optic strippers are specialized tools used to remove the protective coatings from optical fibers to expose the bare glass for splicing, termination, or testing. They are designed to handle delicate fibers without scratching or nicking the glass, which is typically 125 µm in diameter with coatings around 250 µm . Key types and features include:

• Mechanical Strippers: Handheld tools with precision slots to strip the jacket, primary coating, or secondary coating. Examples include the Jonard Tools JIC-375, which has three holes for stripping 1.6–3.0 mm jackets, 600–900 µm buffer coatings, and 250 µm acrylate coatings .
• Mid-Span Slit and Ring Tools: Tools like the MS-306 allow radial/ring cuts and longitudinal slits for accessing fibers in outer jackets or buffer tubes, ideal for mid-span access .
• Specialized Scissors: Tools such as the CFS-2 fiber cable cutting scissors use a three-hole segmented design to strip 125 µm fibers and 250 µm cladding quickly and accurately .
• Adjustable and Multi-Diameter Tools: Some strippers, like the CST-4000, feature adjustable blades and spring-loaded designs for stripping large round cables (19–40 mm diameter) with longitudinal, spiral, or circular cuts .

Fiber strippers may also be thermal, chemical, or plasma-based for specific applications, such as removing coatings from specialty fibers or creating fiber Bragg gratings .

Coaxial Cable Strippers

Coaxial cable strippers are designed to remove the outer jacket and insulation layers of coaxial cables without damaging the inner conductor. Features include:

• Adjustable Blade Depth: Tools like the 45-163 allow setting the blade depth to ensure nick-free entry and can handle cable diameters from 3.2–5.6 mm .
• Transverse and Longitudinal Cutting: Coaxial strippers can perform ring cuts around the cable or slide cuts along its length, suitable for buffer tubes and indoor bundle cables .
• Multi-Blade Designs: Some models include three straight blades and one arc blade for precise stripping of jackets and buffer tubes .

Usage Tips

1. Select the correct slot or blade for the cable diameter and type.
2. Adjust blade depth to avoid nicking the fiber or conductor.
3. Follow the stripping sequence: for fiber optics, strip the outer jacket first, then the buffer coating, and finally expose the glass fiber .
4. Use spring-loaded or ergonomic handles to reduce hand fatigue during repetitive stripping tasks .

Summary

Fiber optic and coaxial cable strippers are essential for efficient, safe, and precise cable preparation. Mechanical, adjustable, and multi-hole designs allow technicians to handle a wide range of cable diameters and coatings, while specialized tools provide mid-span access or accommodate large armored cables. Choosing the right stripper ensures clean, damage-free exposure of fibers or conductors, which is critical for high-quality splicing, termination, and signal integrity.