After splicing, fiber optic cables should be coiled once in a controlled manner to protect the splice, maintain signal integrity, and ensure organized layout for future maintenance.

General Guidelines

1. Single Coil Rule: After splicing and heat-shrinking one or several fibers, coil the fiber once in the splice tray or closure. This prevents confusion between fibers, avoids sharp bends, and makes future maintenance easier .
2. Bending Radius: Maintain a minimum bending radius of at least 10 times the cable diameter or no less than 30 mm to prevent microbends or signal loss .
3. Direction of Coiling: Coil fibers along the natural direction of the loose tube or the branching direction of the cable. For internal pigtails, route counterclockwise along the splice tray slot; for external fibers, route clockwise. This ensures a smooth layout without stress on the fiber .

Coiling Methods

1. Middle First, Then Sides: Place the heat-shrink sleeves in the fixing groove one by one in the middle of the tray, then coil the remaining fibers on both sides. This method is ideal when tray space is limited and helps protect the fiber joints .
2. Start from One End: Begin coiling from one side, fix the heat-shrink tube, and then coil the remaining fiber on the other side. This method is flexible and convenient, especially when fiber lengths are uneven .
3. Special Cases: For fibers connected to splitters, pigtails, or other devices, coil ordinary fibers first, then handle special fibers separately to avoid additional loss or damage .

Practical Tips

• Do Not Pull Hard: Let the fiber coil naturally according to its length and tray space. Avoid forcing the fiber into tight loops.
• Use Reserved Tray Units: Coil fibers based on the placement of heat-shrinkable sleeves in the tray to ensure even and secure arrangement .
• Protect Fiber Joints: Proper coiling prevents damage to the splice and reduces the risk of fiber breakage caused by extrusion . By following these methods, you can ensure that spliced fibers are well-organized, protected, and maintain optimal performance over time.