Permanently joining two fibers
together is the process of Fiber splicing with a fiber splicer. These are designed for easy reconfiguration on patch
panels or cross-connect, unlike fiber connectors.
Fusion splicing is one type of splicing. By an
electric arc, two fibers are welded (fused) together in fusion splicing. The
most widely used method of splicing is Fusion splicing as it provides for
virtually no back reflection and the lowest insertion loss. Between two fibers,
Fusion splicing provides the most reliable joint. By an automatic machine
called fusion splicer, Fusion splicing is done.
Fusion splicer
As we said above, used to weld
(fuse) two optical fibers together, the fusion splicer is the machine. This
process is known as fusion splicing. On the fusion splicer, the fiber ends are
placed in alignment fixtures after being prepared and cleaved. The fiber ends
are heated with electrodes at the press of a button. They are then brought
together and fused.
You need to either set the splicing parameters yourself or choose factory-recommended settings as Fusion splicers are automatic machines. To fusion splicing, there are five basic steps with a splicing machine.
- The
sleeve for fusion splice protection must be used.
- The
fiber is then stripped with a fiber stripper. Down to the 125um bare fiber, Strip back all-fiber coatings.
With 99% isopropyl alcohol, clean the bare fiber.
- The
fiber is cleaved. With a high precision cleaver, the fiber needs to be cleaved. With a recommended cleaver, most splicing machines come. On the quality of cleave, the quality of the splice is based.
- In the
fusion splicer, Put the fibers into the fiber holders. To start the fusion splicing, Press the start button.
- To
protect the splicing joint, the protection sleeve is Heat shrinked
Some tips for splicing technicians and contractors
- Maintain
a clean splice environment and clean equipment, being especially wary of
dusty and windy conditions.
- For
maintenance and setup of all splice equipment, follow the applicable equipment manufacturer’s guidelines. Maintenance requirements are needed by all fusion splicers which in the operating manual should be described.
They need occasional replacement and electrode alignment apart from cleaning regularly. For servicing, the manufacturer’s requirements must be followed.
- With
the total link power budget in mind, Splice loss specifications should be
set and the average splice loss must determine it.
- As an initial
no-go or go evaluation of the splice, the estimated splice loss reading of
the fusion splicer must be
used.
