How to peel the white skin from the pigtail fiber

Peeling the white coating off pigtail fibers can be done using manual stripping, thermal peeling, or specialized fiber tools to safely expose the bare fiber for splicing.

Manual Stripping Methods

Manual stripping involves using precision fiber strippers to remove the primary and secondary coatings without damaging the glass core. The process typically includes:

• Scoring or cutting the coating lightly with a stripper tool.
• Peeling the coating away from the fiber by hand, often using the “break method” for ribbon ends or the “pedal method” for midspan fibers, which allows controlled separation of individual fibers from a ribbon matrix (Superior Essex) .
• Cleaning the exposed fiber with isopropyl alcohol to remove residue before splicing .

Thermal Peeling

Thermal stripping uses heat to soften the coating for easy removal:

• Hand-held thermal strippers apply controlled heat to the fiber jacket, allowing the coating to be peeled off without mechanical stress .
• Temperature settings are adjustable, often with normal and power-saving modes, to accommodate different fiber types and prevent fiber damage.
• This method is particularly useful for single-core fibers and ribbon fibers in high-volume splicing operations.

Chemical or Solvent Methods

While less common in fieldwork, some technicians use chemical strippers to dissolve the coating. This requires careful handling to avoid fiber damage and is more typical in laboratory or manufacturing settings.

Best Practices

• Always use proper tools like fiber cleavers, strippers, and alcohol wipes to maintain fiber integrity .
• Avoid excessive force when peeling to prevent micro-cracks or breakage.
• Inspect the fiber under magnification after stripping to ensure the coating is fully removed and the fiber is clean.
• For ribbon fibers, follow manufacturer guidelines for pedal or break methods to separate individual fibers efficiently . By combining these methods—manual, thermal, and careful cleaning—technicians can safely peel the white coating off pigtail fibers, ensuring optimal performance for fusion splicing or connector termination.