Preventing galvanic action and consequential optical fiber darkening caused by hydrogen ions

A technique enables the reduction or prevention of galvanic action by electrically insulating components of a system. Fiber optic systems can be protected with the technique by preventing the formation of hydrogen ions through galvanic action that otherwise contribute to hydrogen darkening of optical fibers. This is done by providing a spacer 62 between the metal jacket 57 of a fiber optic cable and a metal component 58 of the fiber optic system. The spacer may be in the form of a sleeve, tape wrapped around the jacket, heat shrink material, a coating or a standoff (see figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively).