Achieving a good cleave requires the cleaving blade be held at what angle to the fiber?

Achieving a good cleave requires the cleaving blade be held at what angle to the fiber?

• A. Perpendicular
• B. Parallel
• C. 45 degrees
• D. 30 degrees

Answer: (A)

A clean cleave is achieved when the cut goes straight across the fiber, so the blade should be held perpendicular to the fiber axis. This orientation puts the score and subsequent fracture on a plane that yields a flat, smooth end face, which minimizes burrs and surface irregularities. When the blade is not at 90 degrees, the end face becomes angled or beveled, increasing insertion loss and causing back reflections at the splice or connector. A parallel or very shallow angle would not produce a proper transverse cut, and angles like 45 or 30 degrees create undesirable facets. Keeping the blade perpendicular ensures a high-quality, consistent cleave.

A clean cleave is achieved when the cut goes straight across the fiber, so the blade should be held perpendicular to the fiber axis. This orientation puts the score and subsequent fracture on a plane that yields a flat, smooth end face, which minimizes burrs and surface irregularities. When the blade is not at 90 degrees, the end face becomes angled or beveled, increasing insertion loss and causing back reflections at the splice or connector. A parallel or very shallow angle would not produce a proper transverse cut, and angles like 45 or 30 degrees create undesirable facets. Keeping the blade perpendicular ensures a high-quality, consistent cleave.