Optical fiber cassette

An optical fiber cassette for use in connection with storage of excess optical fiber at a cable termination plant, the optic fiber cable including an optical fiber and at least one tension wire, the optical fiber cassette comprising:

• a chassis having a generally planar base portion and a rim wall generally encircling the base portion, the chassis having integral first and second spools for winding and storing excess optical fiber, the spools each having a wall with a radius of at least a minimum bend radius, the chassis having at least one single, stand alone, channel splice receptacle to releasably retain a splice connection, said at least one splice receptacle aligned tangentially to said first and said second spools to retain a single optical splice in a fiber extending between said first and second spools to be positioned so as to only be tangentially oriented to both said first and second spools;
• a cover attached to the chassis, the cover begin movable from an open position wherein the optical fiber cable will be placed for storage in the cassette, to a closed position wherein the optical fiber cable will be protected from damage;
• and
• a tension wire tie-down to clamp the optical fiber cable and electrically ground the tension wire.

A method for storing excess optical fiber cable for use in connection with an optical network unit, the optical fiber cable including an optical fiber and an electrical tension wire, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a first spool on a chassis, the spool having a radius of at least a minimum bend radius,
• mounting a single, stand alone, channel splice receptacle on the chassis located so as to retain a single optical splice in a fiber extending from said first spool to be positioned so as to only be tangentially oriented to said first spool;
• retaining a splice connection releasable in the splice receptacle;
• receiving and storing the optical fiber on pathways having a radius of at least the minimum bend radius;
• aligning the pathways generally tangentially to the first spool;
• mounting a plurality of retainers transversely over the pathways;
• guiding the optical fiber in the pathways toward the first spool;
• winding and storing excess optical fiber on the first spool;
• retaining the optical fiber releasably in the pathways and on the spool;
• guiding the optical fiber in the pathways toward a tension wire tie-down;
• clamping the optical fiber cable in the tension wire tie-down;
• grounding the tension wire electrically to the tension wire tie-down;
• and
• attaching a cover to the chassis, defining a cassette.