Fiber Optic Cabinets, Cables, Pedestals and Terminals

One of the many things that my Dad taught me was that if you are going to do a job well, and in a timely fashion, you need the right tools. I found this out first hand when I built the deck on my house. The deck screws I started using were Phillips Head style and were hard to drive into the wood. I went to my local hardware store and talked with one of their “Smart Guys”. He suggested that I use square drive screws and drive bit. Those new screws went in like a charm. He also suggested an adjustable power miter saw that saved me hours of work and improved the overall quality of the project. Having the correct tools for any project is mandatory.

I bring this up because Clearfield’s FieldShield product line has a full line of tools that will help enhance your upcoming FieldShield installs.

The FieldShield Assist Module is specifically designed to speed up installation time and ease deployment of pushable fiber within FieldShield Microducts. Powered by any cordless drill, the FieldShield Assist Module enables FieldShield pre-connectorized and blunt-end assemblies to be pushed quickly, at a constant and controlled speed, from the network access point to the end subscriber. Both lightweight and portable, the FieldShield Assist Module is ideal for both internal and external use and can be mounted on a tripod, set on a flat work surface or handheld when space is a premium. Kinking and folding-proof due to an integrated clutch, the buckling of cable and catastrophic damage is eliminated providing a worry-free installation for pushes up to 500 feet for OSP rated cables and 300 feet for inside plant installations utilizing FieldShield Plenum Microduct. When used in conjunction with integrated the pull-string that comes standard in all FieldShield ducts, push/pull methods can provide longer distances. A glare resistant integrated counter provides installer with accurate, instant feedback on distances pushed.

Microduct De-Burring Tools are designed to make chamfering the inside of microducts simple, helping to ensure pushing and pulling are smooth operations. It is used after a cut has been made to the microduct and prior to inserting a cut microduct into a coupler. The purpose of the de-burring tool is to form a conical shape on the inside surface of the microduct that, after insertion into a coupler, allows the fiber to glide between microducts with ease.

The FieldShield Tube Cutter is used to make a clean and flat cut on any of Clearfield’s microduct products. It resembles a cigar cutter with a fixed blade attached to a hinged mechanism and is designed to “cleave” the microduct, providing a clean cut suitable for insertion into a coupler, distribution terminal or TAP Box.

FieldShield Rotary Tube Cutters are designed to make cutting all standard tubes as simple as possible without damaging the contents inside. Offered in two different sizes, order the 3mm smaller rotary tube cutter for stripping jacket from FieldShield Pushable Optical Fiber without damaging fiber inside or the 8mm – 10mm larger rotary cutter to cut microduct without slicing the nylon pull string or fiber inside.

Braided Pull Socks are also available in appropriate sizes for both the pushable fiber and microduct.

Please feel free to contact me or any of the other Clearfield Applications Engineers if you have any questions about the tooling mentioned above. Let us be your “Smart Guy” at the hardware store.

**It is important to note that chamfering the inner core of the duct is mandatory when repairing or coupling ducts. Also, when mid-spanning the FieldShield duct with the intention of leaving the pull string intact it is important to use the Rotary Tube Cutter (not the cigar style). 

 By Tom Warren

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