FIBER OPTIC SPLICES• While connectors are demountable, splices are

permanent connections.• Splicing is only needed if the cable runs are too long

for one straight pull or you need to mix a number of different types of cables (like bringing a 48 fiber cable in and splicing it to six 8 fiber cables - could you have used a breakout cable instead?)

• And of course, we use splices for restoration, after the number one problem of outside plant cables, a dig-up and cut of a buried cable, usually referred to as “backhoe fade” for obvious reasons!

• They may have different uses, but the basic specifications for splices are the same as for connectors.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES• Permanent terminations

for fiber• Specifications

– Loss– Repeatability– Environment– Reliability– Back reflection – Ease of termination– Cost

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES• There are two types of

splices, fusion and mechanical.

• Fusion splicing is done by welding the two fibers together, usually with an electrical arc with an automated splicer which aligns the fibers exactly. It has the advantages of low loss, high strength, low back reflection (optical return loss) and long term reliability.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES

• Mechanical splices use an alignment fixture to mate the fibers and either a matching gel or epoxy to minimize back reflection. Some mechanical splices use bare fibers in an alignment bushing, while others closely resemble connector ferrules without all the mounting hardware.

• While fusion splicing normally uses active alignment to minimize splice loss, mechanical splicing relies on tight dimensional tolerances in the fibers to minimize loss.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - FUSIONFusion splicers are expensive,

fully automated machines that do most of the work. The operator uses a high quality clever to prepare the fibers and inserts them into the jaws of the splicer. The machine automatically aligns the ends, makes the splice and even gives an estimate of the loss. The operator then places the splice in a holder which also seals it and inserts it in a splice tray.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - FUSION

While fusion splicers are expensive($5000+), but each splice is cheap. So if you are doing lots of splices, fusion is more cost effective.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - MECHANICAL

Mechanical splices, like this Ultrasplice, use some mechanical alignment fixture, a glass capillary in this case, and some means of securing the fibers in the splice. Mechanical splices are more common with multimode fiber.

Mechanical splices are more expensive, but the equipment necessary is relatively inexpensive. So if you are only making a few splices, mechanical is the less expensive choice.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - CLEAVING

In order to get good fiber optic splices or terminations, especially when using the pre-polished connectors with internal splices, it is extremely important to cleave the fiber properly. The term “cleave” is somewhat confusing, as is the terminology for the tool that does the job, so lets define our terms and look at how the process is done properly.

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - CLEAVING

• Cleaving is the process by which an optical fiber is “cut” or precisely broken for termination or splicing. Just like cutting glass plate, fiber is cut by scoring or scratching the surface and applying stress so the glass breaks in a smooth manner along the stress lines created by the scratch. Properly done, the fiber will cleave with a clean surface perpendicular to the length of the fiber with no protruding glass on either end (called a lip) and no surface roughness (hackle or mist.)

FIBER OPTIC SPLICES - CLEAVING

A cleaver is a tool that holds the fiber under low tension, scores the surface at the proper location, then applies greater tension until the fiber breaks. Good cleavers are automatic and produce consistent results, irrespective of the operator. The user need only clamp the fiber into the cleaver and operate its controls. Some cleavers are less automated, for example requiring operators to exert force manually for breaking the fiber, making them more dependent on operator technique and therefore less predictable.

CONNECTOR & SPLICE LOSS• Connector loss is

minimized when the two fiber cores are identical and perfectly aligned, the connectors or splices are properly finished and no dirt is present. Only the light that is coupled into the receiving fiber's core will propagate, so all the rest of the light becomes the connector or splice loss.

CONNECTOR & SPLICE LOSSEnd gaps cause two

problems, insertion loss and return loss. The emerging cone of light from the connector will spill over the core of the receiving fiber and be lost. In addition, the air gap between the fibers causes a reflection when the light encounters the change in refractive index from the glass fiber to the air in the gap.

CONNECTOR & SPLICE LOSS

The end finish of the fiber must be properly polished to minimize loss. A rough surface will scatter light and dirt can also scatter and absorb light.

Since the optical fiber is so small, typical airborne dirt can be a major source of loss. Whenever connectors are not terminated, they should be covered to protect the end of the ferrule from dirt. One should never touch the end of the ferrule, since the oils on one's skin causes the fiber to attract dirt. Before connection and testing, it is advisable to clean connectors with lint-free wipes moistened with isopropyl alcohol.

CONNECTOR & SPLICE LOSS

Two sources of loss are directional; mismatches in numerical aperture (NA) and core diameter. Differences in these two will create connections that have different losses depending on the direction of light propagation.

Light from a fiber with a larger NA will be more sensitive to angularity and end gap, so trans-mission from a fiber of larger NA to one of smaller NA will be higher loss than the reverse.

Likewise, light from a larger fiber will have high loss coupled to a fiber of smaller diameter, while one can couple a small diameter fiber to a large diameter fiber with minimal loss, since it is much less sensitive to end gap or lateral offset.