Fiber Optic Cable Interface - ASD TerraSpec User Manual

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WARNING!
Tips on care for the fiber optic cable:
4.2

Fiber Optic Cable Interface

ASD Document 600541 Rev. G
The external fiber optic cable protects the fibers with a metal spiral inside the
black PVC cable casing. If there are kinks in the cable, the fibers are not
necessarily damaged. If, however, the cable has been damaged so severely
that the protective metal spiral can be seen, the chances are high that the fibers
have been damaged. Each broken fiber results in a ~5% loss of response.
The fiber optic cable should never be stored with a bend of less than a 5"
diameter for long periods of time.
The fibers can be damaged by coiling the cable up too tightly. If left in a tight
coil for longer than a week, the fibers are likely to develop longitudinal
fractures that will not be detectable. These fractures in the fiber will cause
light leakage, resulting in a weaker signal. The fiber optic cables should be
stored by placing them loosely within an appropriate compartment of the
carrying case or in their own protective case.
• Do not pull or hang the spectrometer by the fiber optic cable.
• Do not use wires, ties, or clamps to tightly attach the fiber optic cable to
objects, these might pinch or penetrate the protective jacket thereby
damaging the fibers inside.
• Avoid whipping the fiber optic cable, dropping it, or slamming it into
objects, this can cause fractures to the glass fibers.
• Avoid twisting the fiber optic cable, because such forces may cause
fractures to fibers.
While the tip of the fiber optic cable is not particularly susceptible to damage,
a tip cover is recommended to protect against abrasion and exposure to
contamination. Replacement covers can be made by cutting pieces of
eighth-inch shrink tubing to about 1.5" lengths and shrinking them onto the
fiber cable tip. The covers will slide on and off the cable easily.
All fiber optic cables come with a standard SMA style 905 connector, as
shown in Figure 4-1
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Chapter 4 Fiber Optic Interface
TerraSpec® User Manual