| Splicing fiber optic cables is nothing like splicing metal | | | | this step a much larger spark is generated which |
| cables together. It's a very precise process best | | | | raises the temperature at the cable ends above the |
| achieved using a fusion splicer. A fusion splicer | | | | melting point of glass. This fuses the cable ends |
| connects two fiber optic cables together by melting | | | | together. The location of the spark and the amount |
| or fusing them in order to create one single cable. In | | | | of electricity it contains are very carefully controlled. |
| order to minimize potential optical loss or signal loss, | | | | This precise control is necessary in order to ensure |
| optical fibers must be joined together absolutely | | | | that the glass fiber and its cladding are not allowed to |
| perfectly. | | | | mix. If they mix together it results in optical loss. |
| The fiber cable ends are first fastened into an | | | | After the cable ends are fused together the splicer |
| enclosure in the splicer in order to protect them | | | | injects light through the cladding on one side of the |
| during the fusing process. Next the ends are stripped | | | | splice and measures the light leaking from the |
| of their coating. If an outer jacket is present it is also | | | | cladding on the other side. This measurement is taken |
| stripped. The next step involves a tool called a fiber | | | | to ascertain the quantity of splice loss. Splice loss is |
| cleaver. A fiber cleaver is used to cut the fibers in a | | | | the amount of optical power lost at the splice point |
| way which leaves the ends of the cables perfectly | | | | as a result of the splicing process. A splice loss of |
| smooth and flat. If the ends are not absolutely flat | | | | less than 0.1dB is routine when using a fusion splicer. |
| then a perfect splice will not occur. After cleaving the | | | | Generally the fiber ends are inspected before and |
| ends they are placed into holders in the splicer. | | | | after the splicing process. This is done using the |
| Now the splicer's motors align the cable ends | | | | splicer display screen which provides a magnified view |
| together. Then the fusion splicer generates a small | | | | of the splice area. |
| spark at the gap between two electrodes. The | | | | Fusion splicers are used extensively in the |
| reason for doing this is that you need to burn off | | | | telecommunications industry as well as the computer |
| any moisture or dust which is present. Dust or | | | | networking industry. They are a valuable tool for |
| moisture can cause the splicing process to fail. After | | | | network technicians who maintain fiber networks. |