Fibrlok™II Splice/Holder 2539 Instructions
Use 99% pure reagent-grade isopropyl alcohol to clean the fibers and other components. When splicing
any cable containing grease, ensure that all grease is wiped away and the buffer coating and fiber are
thoroughly cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
The 3M™ Fibrlok™ II Splice/ Holder 2539 enables fast, on-site installation of Fiber-to-the Premises
(FTTP) connections with a built-in actuation feature. 3M Fibrlok II Universal Optical Splices provide
permanent mechanical splices using either single-mode or multimode 125μm fibers with any combination
of 250μm and 900μm coating diameters.
1.0 General
1.1
2.0 Safety and Helpful Hints
Note: Carefully follow safety, health and environmental information on the label or MSDS for isopropyl
alcohol. Storage, use and disposal of isopropyl alcohol per your company health, safety and environmental
instructions.
Carefully follow safety, health and environmental information on 3M Fibrlok II Splice label or
Material Safety Data Sheet.
The gel inside the splice may cause minimal eye irritation. Avoid eye contact. Wash hands before eating or
smoking. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water while holding eyelids open. Do not view fiber ends if
they are illuminated with a laser.
2.2
2.1
1.2 All 2529 universal optical fiber splices are gray in color
and are marked with 3M Fibrlok II logo on the splice cap.
1) 3M Fibrlok II Splice Holder 2539
2) Buffer Stripper
3) Scissors (Snips)
3.0 Tools and Materials required
4.0 Splicing Set-Up
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.
4) Reagent Grade Isopropyl Alcohol
5) Lint-free Wipes
6) Cleaver
4.2 Open buffer tubes, expose and clean the fibers per your
company practice.
Remove the Fibrlok II Splice/Holder from its
protective package.
4.3
Secure the Fibrlok II Splice/Holder 25394.4
4.5
Before proceeding, attach the splice/holder to its final location. If there is not enough space to work, then
attach the splice/holder after completing the splice. Clean surface of dirt and debris with alcohol and a
lint-free cloth. To attach, remove the 3M VHB ™ (Very High Bond) Tape release liner (red) and press
the splice/holder base firmly for several seconds onto the surface of its final location.
Lift the buffer clamps at both ends of the
splice/holder and lift the actuation lever to the “up”
position
Note: The 3M Fibrlok II Splice/Holder is designed for 900μm tight buffer and 250μm primary coated
fiber. To splice 900μm loose tube, semi-tight, or release layered fiber remove the 900μm coating within the
last four inches or more from the fiber end to be cleaved.
Note: VHB Tape is not re-positionable.
5.0 Fiber Preparation
4.1
Remove the minimum length of the cable outer jacket
needed to prepare and splice fibers.
5.1
Strip 1.5 to 1.75 inches (38mm to 45mm) of plastic coating
from the fiber using a clean mechanical stripper.
5.2
Clean the bare glass by pulling the fiber through an alcohol
soaked lint-free wipe.
5.3
Note: Do not wipe the fibers more than two times, and limit the time that the bare fiber is exposed to the
atmosphere.
Cleave the fiber to 12.5mm +/- 0.5mm (0.49+/0.02 inches) for both 250μm and 900μm tight buffer
coated fibers.
5.3
Note: Do not clean fibers again after they have been cleaved or allow cleaved ends to contact tools.
Cleave lengths can be confirmed on the 12.5mm length
gauge. Cleave should be within the window.
6.1 Cut off rubber band, position actuation lever over splice, and
lift both buffer clamps to the “up”position.
Confirm that buffer on pigtail is fully inserted inside
splice and follow steps 7.2 through 7.9.
6.2
Splice/Holder Assembly 25397.0
7.2
Holding the fiber approximately ½ inch (13mm) from the
bare glass, insert cleaved fiber into the guide on the right
(actuation lever side) of the splice/holder until it stops inside
the Fibrlok II splice.
Carefully mark the buffer at the right edge of the base.
Note: Always insert the fiber first on the right (actuation lever
side) of the splice/holder.
3M Fibrlok II Splice/Holder Pigtail Assembly
2539 SC/APC and 2539 SC/UPC
5.5
Prepare second fiber (strip, clean and cleave) as described in
section 5.
7.3
Holding the fiber approximately ½ inch (13mm) from the
bare glass, insert second fiber into the guide on the left side
(opposite actuation lever) of the splice/holder until it stops
inside the Fibrlok II splice.
7.4
While sliding the second fiber into the splice, the mark on the
first fiber should move outwards 1/8 inch (3mm) showing the
fiber ends are in contact. If this is not observed, one or both
fibers has a bad/short cleave. Remove one fiber and re-strip,
clean, re-cleave and insert back into the splice. If contact is
still not correct, repeat procedure for second fiber.
7.5
Note: To prevent contamination, never fully remove and re-
insert a cleaved end back into a splice without first re-stripping
and re-cleaving.
Center both fiber cleaves by repositioning the mark on the first
fiber half way back to its original position.
7.6
Note: Cleavers must be in good operating condition and used per the manufacturer’s instructions. They
should provide consistent cleave-to-coating lengths within +/- 0.5mm. Acceptable cleavers will produce
cleaved ends within 0.5° of perpendicular (typical always <1 °), free from major defects.
6.0
7.1
Note: Push fiber straight into the fiber alignment guide, not at
an angle. Bare glass should not be visible outside of the splice. If
bare glass is visible, pull back slightly on the fiber and continue
insertion until resistance is met. Do not fully remove fibers from
splice after initial insertion.
Once the fibers are centered, fully close the right buffer clamp.
You will hear an audible snap.
7.7
Grasp the left fiber about 2 inches from the holder and push the
fiber in until it bows about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3mm to 6mm). Push
down on the actuation lever until the Fibrlok II Splice is actuated.
An audible click can be heard and you should feel the splice cap
snap down into place when completely closed. The cap should be
level with the Fibrlok splice top surface.
7.9 Release the bow in the fiber and fully close the left buffer clamp.
Again, you will hear an audible snap.
Fiber Repositioning8.0
8.2
If high loss is observed after the splice has been actuated, it is possible that the fiber ends are separated.
In this case, lift the splice cap and reposition the fiber ends, as instructed below.
While the splice is still in the holder assembly, lift the actuation
lever and insert the cap removal tool over the splice cap. Grasp
both sides of the splice holder base and lift the cap up and off the
splice while gently rocking lengthwise. Replace the cap parallel
to the top, but raised about 1mm (0.04 inch) as it snaps into
place.
7.8
Carefully reposition fiber. Refer to section 7.0 for proper
fiber centering and splice actuation.
8.3
Place splice cap back on the Fibrlok splice and push down the
actuation lever until cap has been fully actuated.
8.4
If after two attempts, an acceptable splice loss is not obtained,
remove fibers and replace the Fibrlok splice with a new splice.
Redo fiber preparation (section 5) by re-stripping, cleaning, and
cleaving both fibers. Then repeat steps in section 7.
8.5
8.1
Upon completion, the actuation lever can be removed and
discarded if desired.
8.6
Rev B
