TEMPO COMMUNICATIONS FCL200 Optical Fiber Cleaver Instruction Manual
- June 16, 2024
- TEMPO COMMUNICATIONS
Table of Contents
TEMPO COMMUNICATIONS FCL200 Optical Fiber Cleaver
Preface
Description
The Tempo Communications FCL200 Optical Fiber Cleaver is intended to precisely
cleave the fiber optic cables and automatically and safely collect the fiber
end cuts.
Safety
Safety is essential in the use and maintenance of Tempo tools and equipment.
This instruction manual and any markings on the tool provide information for
avoiding hazards and unsafe practices related to the use of this tool. Observe
all of the safety information provided.
Purpose of this Manual
This instruction manual is intended to familiarize all personnel with the safe
operation and maintenance procedures for the Tempo Communications FCL200
Optical Fiber Cleaver. Keep this manual available to all personnel.
Replacement manuals are available upon request at no charge at www.
TempoCom.com. All specifications are nominal and may change as design
improvements occur. Tempo Communications shall not be liable for damages
resulting from misapplication or misuse of its products.
KEEP THIS MANUAL
Register this product at www.TempoCom.com
WARNING
Read and understand all of the instructions and safety information in this
manual before operating or servicing this tool. Failure to observe this
warning could result in severe injury or death.
WARNING
Electric shock hazard: Contact with live circuits could result in severe
injury or death.
WARNING
Wear eye protection when using this tool. Fibre fragments can be extremely
dangerous if they come into contact with eyes or skin or are ingested.
AADVERTENCIA
- Collect all fiber scraps in the dust bin and dispose of them in an approved fiber disposal unit.
- Do not touch the cleaving wheel blade cutting area.
- Do not disassemble or lubricate. Contact Tempo Communications for maintenance and repairs.
- Store in a dry, clean location in the protective pouch.
Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury and may damage the unit.
Operation
-
Open the fiber clamp mechanism.
-
Strip approximately 1.5” of the fiber coating from the fiber and place the fiber in the appropriate fiber adapter. Load the adapter with fiber into the cleaver.
Hint: it is easier to load the fibre into the adapter if the fiber is curled in a downward direction from the fiber clamp. -
Close the fibre clamp mechanism.
-
Push the cleaving wheel mechanism away from yourself to cleave the fibre.
-
Open the fibre clamp mechanism.
-
The FCL200 will safely collect the fibre end cut. Be sure to check for errant fibres. Make sure to dispose of all fiber end cuts in a safe manner.
-
Remove the adapter with the cleaved fibre from the cleaver.
-
Place the adapter with the cleaved fibre into the 915FS for splicing.
Note: There is no need to remove the cleaved fibre from the fibre adapter after the cleaving operation.
Normal Use and Maintenance
Make sure that the rubber presser feet and the fibre guide groove are clean (no dust and fibre debris). Keep the fibre contact surfaces clean by using isopropyl alcohol with a lint-free cleaning wand. Change the position of the cleaving wheel if the cleaving quality degrades due to the blade being worn (usually 1000 cleaves per blade position). After the cleaving wheel has been rotated through all 16 positions, the height can be increased and the wheel can be reused through all of the 16 positions once again. The cleaving wheel can be rotated two times for a total of 48,000 cleaves.
Blade Position Change
- Loosen blade locking screw.
- Rotate the blade to the next scale position.
- Hold the side face of the blade and lock the screw at the new position.
- Lay 0.7 mm pencil lead across both pressure pads.
- Move slider back and forth and check if blade touches pencil lead.
- If the blade touches the pencil lead: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If the cleave is not good: Check if a blade is damaged or dirty at the new position.
- If the blade drags pencil lead all the way across: Go to “Blade Height Adjustment”.
- If the blade does not touch the pencil lead: Rotate the pencil lead ≈180° and try again. If not sure: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If cleave is not good: Go to “Blade Height Adjustment”.
Note: The FCL200 is supplied with a optional fixed clamp that is secured with the supplied M2X5 screw. This will allow the FCL200 to be used as a stand-alone cleaver. Show a picture of the fixed clamp installed.
Normal Use and Maintenance
Blade Replacement
- Lay down the cleaver with scale numbers on blade facing up.
- Remove the blade locking screw.
- Remove the old blade and replace with new blade. Do not touch the blade (very sharp!). Use tweezers to remove the old blade and insert the new blade.
- Lock the new blade at position “1”.
- Lay 0.7 mm pencil lead across both pressure pads.
- Move slider back and forth and check if the blade touches the pencil lead.
- If the blade touches the pencil lead: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If cleave is not good: Check if a blade is damaged or dirty at position “1”.
- If the blade drags pencil lead all the way across: Go to “Blade Height Adjustment”.
- If the blade does not touch the pencil lead: Rotate the pencil lead ≈180° and try again. If not sure: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If cleave is not good: Go to “Blade Height Adjustment”.
Blade Height Adjustment
- Loosen both compression screws and height locking screws.
- Turn height adjustment screw:
- CW if blade did not touch pencil lead (moves blade up).
- CCW if blade dragged pencil lead across (moves blade down).
- Tighten the height locking screw and both compression screws.
- Lay 0.7 mm pencil lead across both pressure pads.
- Move the slider back and forth and check if the blade touches the pencil lead.
- If the blade touches the pencil lead: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If the cleave is not good: Check if the blade is damaged at its current position.
- If blade drags pencil lead all the way across: Go back to step 1 and adjust CCW until good.
- If blade does not touch the pencil lead: Rotate the pencil lead
≈180° and try again. If not sure: Perform a cleave and check the cleave angle on 915FS. If cleave is not good: Go back to step 1 and adjust CW until good.
Specifications
- Applicable Fibers SM (G.652); MM (G.651); DS (G.653); NZDS (G.655); BIF (G.657)
- Fiber Cleaved Length 5mm – 20mm
- Cladding Diameter 125μm
- Coating Diameter 0.25mm and 0.9mm
- Fiber Count Single and Ribbon (12)
- Cleaving Angle < 1.5°
- Blade Life 48,000 Cleaves
- Weight 0.77lbs. (350g)
- Dimensions 2.55 x 3.85 x 2.55” (65 x 98 x 65mm)
Troubleshooting
Note: Contact Tempo Communications if the chart does not provide a solution to attaining a reliable cleave.
1390 Aspen Way • Vista, CA 92081 • USA 800-642-2155 Tempo Europe Ltd. • Brecon House, William Brown Close Cwmbran, NP44 3AB, UK • Tel: +44 1633 927 050 www.TempoCom.com