- 8 -
5. Close the handles of the heat-strip tool and wait 6 to 10 seconds for the softening of the
buffer to occur.
6. Wrap the cord around your index finger and pull the fiber from the tool with one smooth and
straight motion.
Note: Wrapping the cord around your index finger may prevent the buffered fiber from
slipping out of the jacket during the stripping operation.
Caution: The buffer must not be allowed to move within the cord while stripping. Do not
strip additional buffer length if buffer pulls from cordage. Buffer will normally
push back into cord during connector plug assembly.
4.4 Clean Stripped Fiber
1. Saturate a wipe with isopropyl alcohol (>91% 2-pr water).
2. Start at the coating end and wipe toward the fiber end.
Note: If residue remains on the fiber, use a clean wipe saturated with isopropyl alcohol to
wipe the fiber again.
3. Place the prepared cord into the grooves of the 971A-2 holder block to avoid breaking or
contamination of the fiber (holder blocks are provided in the D-182959 Upgrade Kit).
0.55 inch
(14 mm)
0.25 inch
(6.3 mm)
Partial view
of a 971A-2
holder block
Prepared fiber in a
1.6-mm groove
