What is the term for the process of removing the outer coating of a fiber optic cable?

The process of removing the outer coating of a fiber optic cable is referred to as stripping. This step is crucial in preparing the fiber for connection to other fibers or to equipment. Stripping involves carefully removing the protective outer layer, which may include the buffer coating and the strength members, while ensuring that the glass fiber itself remains undamaged. This allows for the exposed fiber to be properly cleaved and terminated for optimal performance in a network.

In contrast, cleaving refers to the technique of cutting the fiber at a precise angle to produce a clean surface for splicing or termination. Termination is the process of finishing fiber ends to connect them to connectors or equipment, while splicing involves joining two fiber optic cables together, either by fusion or mechanical methods. Each of these processes is important in fiber optic installations, but stripping specifically focuses on preparing the fiber by removing its outer coating.