For any fibre optic network, the
fibres must be correctly connected. A reliable connection will keep the network
running smoothly by reducing light loss and preventing moisture or dirt from
entering the connector.
To connect to other devices or
equipment, an optical fibre must be terminated with a Fiber Cable Stripping Machine. This involves either attaching a connection at its end or directly
connecting it to another fibre, a process known as splicing. A connection
allows the two fibres to be removed for testing or to change the cable's path,
whereas splicing is permanent.
Splicing methods were
compared.
There are two types of splicing:
mechanical and fusion. Mechanical splicing involves aligning the ends of two
fibres such that light can pass through, and then using a cover to permanently
lock them together. Fusion splicing commonly employs an electric arc to melt
the ends of two fibres and form a permanent weld.
When comparing these two
procedures, mechanical splicing is simple, and the coverings are small and
inexpensive. Fusion splicing, on the other hand, necessitates the use of a
pricey fusion splicer machine, but it results in a connection with lower
gearbox losses and reflectivity than mechanical splicing, as well as a more
reliable connection that does not require polishing.
Connector Termination Methods
To terminate with a connection,
one approach is to utilise a 'pigtail', which is a short single optical fibre
with a connector pre-installed at one end. The bare fibre end can be spliced to
the main fibre, usually using fusion splicing, to terminate it. If it is a
multi-fiber cable, each component fibre can be attached to a distinct pigtail,
and therefore to a different connector.
The purpose of crimping with
the Fiber Crimping Machine
The installer can either glue or crimp the connector to the fibre. An epoxy or other adhesive can be used to bond the fibre into the connector's ferrule, after which the fibre end can be polished. The epoxy must cure, which can take overnight or be expedited with a curing oven.
Crimping is an alternate method of connecting the connector, in which a Fiber Crimping Machine applies mechanical force to a crimp barrel, deforming it and forming a tight bond with the connector.
