Optical fiber installation tool having a passive illumination feature

摘要

Disclosed is a passive illumination apparatus (20) for improving the visibility of an optical fiber by projecting reflected light to passively illuminate an optical fiber for allowing the user improved visibility for inserting the optical fiber into an orifice (14). One embodiment of the concept uses a passive illumination apparatus having a pattern of one or more colors for reflectively transmitting chromatic light along with an optional contrast surface such as a gray or black stripe for providing a highly contrasting background for the user to view the optical fiber against. The ambient light is transmitted or directed from a reflective surface such as a concave curved region for passively illuminating the optical fiber. The passive illumination apparatus may be used on any suitable device such as a connector installation tool, a splicer, a stripper for an optical fiber coating or a cleaver as desired.