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BEST PRACTICES
FS075
Understanding and Mai nt a ining the
Cleaver (Panduit p/n FJQCVR) supplied with
Panduit OptiCam Connector Te rmination
Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 Background .................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 Maintaining the Cleaver .................................................................................................. 2
4.0 Base Plate ...................................................................................................................... 5
5.0 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 5
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES
The practices contained herein are designed as a guide for use by persons having technical skill at their own
discretion and risk. The recommended practices are based on average conditions. Panduit does not guarantee
any favorable results or assume any liability in connection with this document.
In addition, the materials and hardware referenced herein appear as examples, but in no way reflect the only
tools and materials available to perform thes e ins ta llati ons .
Local, State, Federal and Industry Codes and Regulations, as well as manufacturers requirements, must be
consulted before proceeding with any project. Panduit makes no representations of, nor assumes any
responsibility for, the accuracy or completeness of this document. Panduit disclaims any liability arising from any
information contained herein or for the absence of same.
For Technical Support: www.panduit.com/resources/install_maintain.asp
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Figure 2 - Good Cleave
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to explain the best case practice for maintaining the
FJQCVR cleaver and how to determine if the ceramic blade or the base of the cleaver
needs to be maintained or replaced.
2.0 Background
Questions have arisen about the performance of the cleaver over an extended amount of
time or after an extensive amount of cleaves. Proper usage of the cleaver is detailed in
Panduit documents.
FS014*
LC OptiCam Installation Instructions
FS015* SC OptiCam Installation Instructions
FS016* ST OptiCam Installation Instructions
The cleaver’s ceramic blade is designed to last approximately one thousand (1000)
cleaves, after which it should be replaced with Panduit p/n FJQCVRB. The base plate
that holds and contains the scale to measure the fiber may become misshaped (rounded)
and may need to be replaced. In the event the base plate becomes rounded, the cleaver
should be replaced.
3.0 Maintaining the Cleaver
Ceramic Blade
The ceramic blade provided with the FJQCVR cleaver will last approximately one
thousand (1000) cleaves before it should be replaced. There are a couple of ways to
check to ensure you are getting a good cleave besides checking the insertion loss of the
connector that was terminated.
One way is to check the spherical glow of the un-terminated end of the fiber cable by
utilizing the visual termination indicator (VTI) of the OptiCam
non-connectorized end of the fiber approx. 1” from a surface one can see if they have a
quality cleave on the field fiber. The images below show the difference between a bad
and a good cleave. Figure 2 shows a good cleave and should result in good insertion loss
for the OptiCam
connector that has been terminated.
tool (OCTT). By holding a
Figure 1 - Bad Cleave
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FS075
Figure 3 - Bad Cleave (side view)
Figure 4 - Good Cleave ( side view)
Figure 5 - Bad Cleave (microscope)
Figure 6 - Good Cleave (microscope)
Another way to check the cleave quality is to once again use the VFL, but this time lay the fiber on its
side so you get a side view of the cleave. If there is any reflective light present (as seen in Figure 3)
then the cleave is of poor quality. Figure 4 shows the side view of a good cleave where no reflective
light can be seen.
Another way to identify the differenc e between a bad and good cleave is shown in Figure 5 and 6.
These figures show the cleaved edge of a fiber under a high powered microscope.
If consistently bad cleaves occur, the ceramic blade (Panduit p/n FJQCVR) should be replaced.
The following steps should be taken when replacing the blade.
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FS075
Figure 7
Figure 9
Step 1 - A small phillips type screwdriver will be needed to loosen the screw on the front of the cleaver.
(See Figure 7). Once the screw is loosened, the ceramic blade, which is spring loaded, will come into
sight. (See Figure 8)
Step 2 - The old blade can be removed and the new blade inserted into the cleaver. Please note the
orientation of the blade when installing. The stepped edge shown in Figure 9 should be inserted away
from the screw.
Step 3 - The new blade needs to be pushed into place due to the spring in the housing of the cleaver
and the screw tightened to secure the blade.
Figure 8
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FS075
Figure 10 - Normal Base Plate
Figure 11 - Damaged Base Plate
4.0 Base Plate
The base plate that holds and contains the scale to measure the fiber may become misshaped
(rounded) and may need to be replaced. In the case of this rounding, it is recommended to purchase
a new cleaver. See Figures 10 and 11 for examples of these conditions.
In the case of Figure 11, it is recommended that a new cleaver be purchased to achieve optimum
cleaves.
5.0 Conclusion
Maintaining the fiber cleaver supplied with the OptiCam term ination kit is one wa y to ensure qu al it y
results when terminating OptiCam connectors. Keeping the cleaver clean of debris and ensuring that
the blade and base plate are not damaged are ways to ensure high performance and quality
terminations. When the cleaver is properly maintained and utilized, cleaving with this tool is comparable
to high precision type cleavers.
For Instructions in Local Language s
and Technical Support:
www.panduit.com/resources/install_maintain.asp
www.panduit.com
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techsupport@panduit.com
E-mail:
Phone:
866-405-6654
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