PREPARATION OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES FOR DUCT APPLICATIONS

Before pulling a leading end of a fiber optic cable (110) through a duct (160) in order to splice the cable fibers (114) to other fibers located at a far end of the duct (160), the outer jacket (112) of the cable (110) and elements (116,118,120,122) surrounding the cable fibers (114) are removed to expose the fibers (114). The exposed fibers are prepared by (a) removing coatings on the fibers, (b) cleaving the ends of the fibers, and (c) placing the cleaved fibers into one or more protective covers (132). A cable grip or sock (150) is dimensioned and formed to envelop the leading end of the cable (110) including the protective covers (132), up to and including the outer jacket (112). The grip (150) together with the cable (110) are pulled through the duct (160), and the grip (150) and the protective covers (132) are removed at the far end of the duct to expose the cleaved fibers for splicing to the other fibers at the far end.