Fiber Optics Test Equipment - Splicing Machine

What is Fiber Optics Splicing ?

Fiber Optics Splicing in other words is equivalent to joint two sections of fiber optics.
In any installation of fiber optics cable, the recommended length of each section fiber optics cable is max 2 km. So if you have to install 6 km of fiber optics cable from Station A to Station B then you need to splice/joint 2 section of fiber optics cable.

There two methods on jointing / splicing fiber optics. They are mechanical splicing and fusion splicing and you might have to choose which technique best fits your economic and performance objective.


What is Fusion Splicing ?

Fusion Splicing is a method to joint permanently two fibers by welding them together by an electronic arc machine called Splicing Machine.








What is Mechanical Splicing ?

Mechanical splicing is an optical junction where the fibers are precisely aligned and held in place by a self-contained assembly, not a permanent bond. This method aligns the two fiber ends to a common centerline, aligning their cores so the light can pass from one fiber to another.

Step 1: Preparing the fiber - Strip the protective coatings, jackets, tubes, strength members, etc. leaving only the bare fiber showing. The main concern here is cleanliness.

Step 2: Cleave the fiber - The process is identical to the cleaving for fusion splicing but the cleave precision is not as critical.

Fibrlok Mechanical Splicing KitStep 3: Mechanically join the fibers - There is no heat used in this method. Simply position the fiber ends together inside the mechanical splice unit. The index matching gel 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 gel holding the cores together.

Step 4: Protect the fiber - the completed mechanical splice provides its own protection for the splice.

There are many types of Mechanical Splices available in the market. Most commons type are UltraSplice, 3M Fibrlok, SpliceConnect etc,