Splicing fiber optic cables is certainly not like splicing metal cables collectively. It's a very exact process best achieved by using a fusion splicer. A fusion splicer connects two dietary fiber optic cables together by melting or fusing them. In order to reduce potential optical loss or signal loss, optical materials must be joined together absolutely perfectly.

Here's how the process works. Typically the fiber cable ends are first fastened into an enclosure in the splicer in order to protect them during the fusing process. Next the ends are stripped of their coating. If an outer jacket is present it is also stripped. Typically the next step involves a tool known as fiber cleaver. A fiber cleaver is utilized to cut the materials in a way which leaves the ends of the cables properly smooth and flat. If the ends are not absolutely flat then a perfect splice will not occur. Following cleaving the ends they may be located into holders in the splicer.

Now the splicer's motors align the cable ends together. Then the splicer generates a tiny spark at the gap between two electrodes. The reason for carrying this out is that you need to burn any moisture or dirt which is present. Dust particles or moisture can cause the splicing process to fail. After that step a much larger spark is made which raises the temperature at the cable connection ends above the shedding point of glass. This particular fuses the cable comes to an end together. The location of the spark and the amount of electricity it contains are incredibly carefully handled. This precise control is necessary in order to ensure that the glass fiber as well as cladding are not allowed to mix. In case they mix together it results in optical damage.

After the cable ends are fused together the splicer injects light through the cladding on one aspect of the splice and measures the light leaking from the cladding on the other side. This measurement is taken to determine the quantity of splice loss. Splice loss is the amount of optic power lost at the splice point therefore of the splicing process. A new splice loss in less than 0. 1dB is schedule when utilizing a fusion splicer.

As a general guideline the fiber ends are inspected before and after the splicing process. This is certainly done using the splicer display screen which provides a amplified view of the splice area.