In the optical network deployment, fiber optic fusion splicing should be an unavoidable and vitally important procedure that enables fiber cross connection and light wave signal distribution. Only when the fiber optic cables in the network are fusion spliced properly can they be protected from dirt or damage so as to achieve a smooth and steady network. Meanwhile, proper fiber optic fusion splicing can efficiently avoid the excessive loss of light when the network runs, which strengthens the smooth connection. But how to properly fusion splice fiber optic cables to ensure a smooth connection? Let’s talk about this topic and find the most suitable method to fusion splice fiber optic cables for your network.
To successfully splice fiber optic cables, you need to prepare the right tools and equipment. Here are the essential equipment required for fiber optic cable splicing and their functions in the splicing process.
1. Fusion splicer
this device enables the precise alignment and fusion of fiber optic cables. Fusion splicers are equipped with advanced technology, such as core alignment systems and arc discharge fusion methods, to ensure accurate alignment and low-loss splicing
2. Cleaver
A cleaver is an indispensable tool used to precisely cut and prepare the fiber ends before splicing. It ensures a clean and perpendicular cut, which is crucial for achieving low-loss splices.
Modern cleavers feature automatic blade rotation, ensuring consistent and accurate cleaving. Some cleavers also have built-in fiber scrap collectors, preventing loose fiber debris from interfering with the splicing process.
3. Fiber stripper
The fiber stripper is used to remove the protective coating, or buffer, from the fiber optic cable, exposing the bare fiber for splicing. It is essential to use a fiber stripper specifically designed for the cable type being spliced to avoid damaging the delicate fiber core.
Fiber strippers often come with multiple-sized openings to accommodate various cable diameters. They may also include depth control features, allowing technicians to set the depth of the stripping process accurately.
4. Cleaning tools
Proper cleaning of the fiber ends before splicing is critical to ensure optimal splicing results. Contaminants such as dirt, dust, or oils can lead to increased signal loss and poor fusion quality. Common cleaning tools for fiber optic splicing include Lint-free Cleaning Wipes, Alcohol, Cleaning Sticks or Swabs.
5. Splice Tray and Sleeves
After fusion splicing, the spliced fibers need to be protected and organized within a splice tray. Splice trays provide a secure housing for the splices, preventing damage and ensuring proper fiber management.
Fiber optic splice sleeves, made of heat-shrinkable material, are used to encapsulate and protect the spliced fiber joints. These sleeves provide mechanical strength, protection against environmental factors, and help maintain fiber alignment.
6. Additional Tools and Accessories
Other tools and accessories that may be required during the fiber optic cable splicing process include: visual fault locator (VFL), power meter, tool case or toolbox.
By having the right equipment available, technicians can perform efficient and reliable fiber optic cable splicing, ensuring optimal signal transmission and network performance. Investing in high-quality tools and regularly maintaining them is crucial for achieving successful splicing results and minimizing signal loss.
Steps to fusion splice two optical fiber
Here are several steps to fusion splice fiber optic. You can read it or watch this video on YouTube where we explain in three minutes how the optical fiber is fused.
Step1 Strip the fiber
The splicing process begins by preparing both fiber ends for fusion, so you need to strip the protective coating, jackets, tubes, strength members, etc, leaving only the bare fiber showing. To do that, this step has to be repeated for every single layer.
Hold the optical fiber stripper with one hand. With the other hand take the outside of one of the optical fiber and introduce it into the proper fiber stripper hole. Then, simply stretch out the plastic shield and get rid off it. 3 cm approx. of optical fiber will be enough.
The main concern here is to clean the cables.
Step2 Cleave the fiber
Using a good fiber cleaver is essential to a successful fusion splice. The cleaved end-face must be mirror-smooth and perpendicular to the fiber axis to obtain a proper splice using the score-and-break method. Clean the ends of the fibers that need to be spliced, using alcohol wipes to remove dirt or contaminants. An alcohol wipe is used because this kind of alcohol evaporates very quickly without leaving residue.
Step3 Fuse the fiber
There are two steps within this step, alignment and heating. Once properly aligned the fusion splicer unit then utilizes an electrical arc to melt the fibers, permanently welding the two fiber ends together. Avoid any physical contact between fibers and electrodes. At this point, we must lower the cover of the fiber optic splicer and press the fusion key. The fiber optic splicer is a highly automated device that evaluates and aligns the fibers before proceeding to “burn” the ends using an electrical shock so that they finish up by being physically joined as if they were a single wire.
If the fusion splicer has interrupted the process, it may be because one of the following problems:
- Bad arrangement of the wires on their guides.
- The fibers are not cut at a 90 degree angle.
- There are remains of the plastic cover on the end of the fiber.
It the fusion has been OK, the device itself will estimate the fusion losses. Otherwise, check the proper execution of the steps above.
Step4 Protect the fiber
At this point the two fibers have become one. Extract the fibers from the guides of the splicer and cover the fusion point with the protective sleeve. Then, insert the whole assembly into the fusion oven built into the splicer and press the proper key of the machine.
Although a typical fusion splice will not break during normal handling as it has a tensile strength between 0.5 and 1.5 lbs, it still requires protection from excessive bending and pulling forces. With the help of heat shrink tubing, silicone gel and mechanical crimp protector, the splice can be protected from outside elements and breakage.
Comparison between fusion splicing and mechanical splicing
Fusion splicing
Both fusion splicing and mechanical splicing have their specific advantages and disadvantages. Whether to choose fusion or mechanical splicing depends on different applications.
Fusion splicing involves heating the ends of each fiber that are being joined and fusing them together permanently. Because this process requires near-perfect alignment of the fibers and their respective cores, along with fusing the glass together in a precise manner, this is accomplished using a fusion splicer device. The device effectively aligns the two fiber ends, melts the glass via an electric arc, then fuses them together. Because of the resulting splice point in the length of fiber, either a heat-shrinkable protective splice sleeve or a coating material is typically placed over the splice point to give the splice more strength and durability.
The fusion splice offers a lower level of loss and a high degree of performance. It gives very low back reflections and is preferred for single-mode high speed digital or CATV network. However, it requires the use of expensive fusion equipment.
Mechanical Splicing
The primary way that mechanical splicing differs from fusion splicing is that it is a manual process that does not permanently fuse or join the fibers together, instead it locks and aligns the fiber ends together with a screw mechanism in a splice case. This method requires no heat or electricity and is performed manually by a technician using the required tools and components.
Compared to fusion splicing, mechanical splicing is deployed for applications where splices need to be made quickly. Some mechanical splices easily allow both connection and disconnection. Therefore, a mechanical splice is utilized for applications where the splice may be less permanent.
Conclusion
Fiber optic splicing is essential and important for fiber connections. This passage provides two different types of methods for you to splice fiber optic cables. Choosing the appropriate method, whether the fusion splicing or mechanical splicing, can not only save money, but also enhance work efficiency. Besides, when you are doing fiber optic splicing, it is necessary to follow the steps strictly and carefully.