Methods for forming a demarcation on an optical cable and related optical cable assemblies

A method of preparing an optical cable, the method comprising:

• stripping a jacket of the optical cable to expose a buffer tube and one or more strength members;
• trimming the one or more strength members to a first distance d1 from an end of the jacket;
• trimming the buffer tube to a second distance d2 from an end of the one or more strength members to expose a plurality of optical fibers;
• grouping the plurality of optical fibers at a location offset from the end of the one or more strength members to arrange the plurality of optical fibers into an order;
• applying a first adhesive over the buffer tube;
• applying a tube over the first adhesive and the buffer tube;
• applying a second adhesive into the tube such that the second adhesive covers a portion of the plurality of optical fibers;
• and
• curing the second adhesive.

A method of preparing an optical cable, the method comprising:

• stripping a jacket of the optical cable to expose an end of a buffer tube and one or more strength members;
• trimming the end of the buffer tube to a second distance d2 from an end of the one or more strength members to expose a plurality of optical fibers;
• grouping the plurality of optical fibers;
• pulling the one or more strength members back toward the jacket;
• applying a heat shrink tube over the buffer tube;
• applying heat to the heat shrink tube;
• applying adhesive to a first end and a second end of the heat shrink tube;
• curing the adhesive;
• and
• trimming the one or more strength members to a first distance d1 from an end of the jacket.

An optical cable comprising:

• a jacket;
• one or more strength members within the jacket and extending beyond an end of the jacket by a first distance d1;
• a buffer tube within the jacket, wherein the buffer tube extends beyond an end of the one or more strength members by a second distance d2;
• a plurality of optical fibers within the buffer tube and extending beyond an end of the buffer tube;
• a tube disposed around the buffer tube;
• and
• an adhesive disposed around at least a first end and a second end of the heat shrink tube.