We tend to receive the same basic questions about the splicing themes of types, benefits, and applications.
First of all, the standard definition of optical fiber splicing is to connect two optical fiber cables together. Another more common method of joining fibers is called termination or joining. Splicing is the most commonly used method in this field, but it is also used in cable assembly plants. In-field installation, splicing is a faster and more effective method for repairing fiber optic cables when buried cables are accidentally cut.
1. Type of splicing
There are two methods of splicing, mechanical or fusion. Compared with fiber optic connectors, these two methods provide lower insertion loss.
1) Mechanical connection
Mechanical splicing of optical cables is an alternative splicing technology that does not require a fusion splicer.
Mechanical splices are the connection points of two or more optical fibers that are aligned by components that use index matching fluid to keep the fibers aligned and hold them in place. The mechanical connection uses a small, mechanical connection, approximately 6 cm long and 1 cm in diameter, to permanently connect two optical fibers. It precisely aligns the two exposed fibers and then mechanically fixes them.
A snap-on cover, an adhesive cover, or both are used to permanently fix the joint. Light can pass between these fibers, without them being permanently connected together. (Insertion loss< 0.5dB)
The splicing loss is generally 0.3dB. However, mechanical splicing of optical fibers has higher reflection than fusion splicing. The optical cable mechanical connector is small in size and easy to use, which is very convenient whether it is quick maintenance or permanent installation. They have permanent and re-enterable types.
Optical cable mechanical connectors can be used for single-mode or multi-mode optical fibers.
- Fusion splicing
Welding is more expensive than mechanical splicing, but it has a longer life. The fusion method fuses the optical fiber cores together with less attenuation. (Insertion loss< 0.1dB)
In the welding process, a special welding machine is used to precisely align the two fiber ends, and then the glass ends are “welded” or “welded” together using an electric arc or some type of heat. This creates a transparent, non-reflective continuous connection between the fibers, resulting in very low light loss
spread. (Typical loss: 0.1 dB)
The fusion splicer completes the optical fiber fusion splicing in two steps.
2. Align the two fibers precisely
Produces a small electric arc to melt the fibers and weld them together. After proper training, the insertion loss of fiber splicing technicians in single-mode and multi-mode fibers is usually less than 0.1dB. In addition to low splicing loss at a typical 0.1dB, fusion splicing also has the advantage of small back reflection.
The usual application is to connect cables during long-distance operation of cables outside the factory. This is where multiple cables are needed to run a distance. Splicing is usually used to terminate single-mode fibers (by splicing pre-terminated pigtails to each fiber), but there are other uses as well. It should be noted that slicing can be used to mix different types of fiber optic cables, such as connecting 48 fibers to 6 8 fibers in different places.
