When installing connectors on 900um buffered fiber, a bend or kink may occur and cause high attenuation. To avoid bending or kinking at the point where the 900um fiber exits the connector you must slowly and carefully slide the boot onto the connector. Once the 900um boot is installed, it will serve its function to provide strain relief to the fiber.
The improper use of cable ties inside interconnect boxes is another common attenuation problem. A "zip" style cable tie that is commonly pulled too tightly on a fiber can cause microbends or fiber breaks. To solve this problem only pull cable ties tight enough to support the fiber. The use of velcro cable ties also aids in reducing the likelihood of creating attenuation problems. They hold the fiber in place, rather than tightening the fibers together.
It is possible to stretch the outer 3.0mil jacket when cutting and handling the cable prior to connector installation. Cable can remain in this stretched condition from minutes, hours to days. If connectors are applied while the cable jacket is in it's stretched condition, the fiber, buffer, and aramid fibers will snake inside the jacket as the jacket is attempting to shrink back to it's original state. This will cause high attenuation that gets worse as the cable jacket regains it's original length. Running your fingers down the length of the cord will detect bumps created by the cable snaking around in the jacket.
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