Which tool is primarily used for cleaving fiber optic cables?

The cleaver is specifically designed for cleaving fiber optic cables, making it the crucial tool for creating a clean, flat end-face on fiber strands. Proper cleaving is essential as it significantly influences the quality of a splice. The cleaver uses a precision blade to slice through the fiber at a precise angle and depth, which is necessary for achieving optimal light transmission and minimizing losses at the splice point.

In contrast, other tools serve different purposes in the fiber optic installation and maintenance process. The stripping tool is used to remove the protective coatings from the fiber, which prepares it for cleaving or splicing but does not perform the cleaving itself. A fusion splicer joins two fibers together by melting them, which follows the cleaving step to ensure a high-quality connection. A tester, on the other hand, is used to assess the performance and integrity of fiber optic networks, checking for signal loss or other issues, but again does not perform the cleaving function. Thus, the cleaver is essential for accurately preparing fibers for splicing by ensuring a precise fiber end surface.