Fiber Optic Splicing

Fiber optic splicing is one of the fiber optic terminations which creates a
permanent joint between the two fibers. With the benefits of low light loss and
back reflection, fiber optic splicing is a preferred method when the cable runs are
too long for a single length of fiber or then joining two different types of cables
together. There are two methods of splicing, fusion splicing and mechanical
splicing.
Fusion Splicing
In fusion splicing (as following picture), a machine called fusion splicer is used to
precisely align the two fiber ends. Then the glass ends are "fused" or "welded"
together using some type of heat or electric arc. This produces a permanent
connection between the fibers enabling very low loss light transmission (Typical
loss: 0.1 dB). Fusion splicing has the best return loss performance of all the
mating and splicing techniques.

fusion splicing

Fusion Splicing Steps

Prepare the fiber. Strip the protective coatings, jackets, tubes, strength
members, etc. and only leave the bare fiber showing. Please pay attention to
keep the fiber clean.

Cleave the fiber. Choose a good fiber cleaver. The cleaved end must be
mirror-smooth and perpendicular to the fiber axis to obtain a proper splice.
But the cleaver is not used to cut the fiber. Its only used to produce a cleaved
end that is as perpendicular as possible.

Fuse the fiber. Align the fusion splicer unit and use an electrical arc to melt
the fibers, permanently welding the two fiber ends together. Alignment can be
manual or automatic.

Protect the fiber - To ensure the splice not break during normal handling,
you must protect the fiber from bending and tensile forces. A typical fusion
splice has a tensile strength between 0.5 and 1.5 lbs and will not break during
normal handling but it still requires protection from excessive bending and
pulling forces.

Mechanical Splicing
Mechanical splicing (as following picture) aligns and mates the end face of two
cleaned and cleaved fiber tip together. Its a reusable splice. The mechanical
splice will have an index matching fluid that eliminates the fiber-to-air interface,
there by resulting in less back reflections. Mechanical splices are often used when
splices need to be made quickly and easily.

mechanical splicing

Mechanical Splicing Steps

Prepare the fiber. Strip the protective coatings, jackets, tubes, strength
members, etc. and only leave the bare fiber showing. Please pay attention to
keep the fiber clean.

Cleave the fiber. This one is the same to the fusion splicing step. But the
cleave precision is as critical.

Mechanically join the fibers. This method doesnt use heat. Simply put the
fiber ends together inside the mechanical splice unit. The index matching fluid
inside the mechanical splice apparatus will help couple the light from one
fiber end to the other. Older apparatus will have an epoxy rather than the
index matching fluid holding the cores together.

Protect the fiber - the completed mechanical splice provides its own
protection for the splice.

Which One Should You Choose?

To decide which fiber splicing method you should choose, you may take two
important factors into consideration. First, its the cost. Mechanical splicing has a
low initial investment ($1,000$2,000) but costs more per splice ($12-$40
each). While the initial investment is about at least $15,000 and per splice cost is
about $0.50 - $1.50. Second, its the performance. Fusion splicing offers a high
degree performance of lower loss and less back reflection than mechanical
splicing.
By the comparison of the cost and performance of two methods, now you know
which one is suitable for your applications. If you have enough money and need
more precise alignment for lower loss, you could buy a fusion splicing machine. If
you just have a small budget and should make a quick splice, then you can choose
mechanical fiber optic splice.