Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

Learning new technologies is the trend now so lets talk about splicer machine fiber optics. An Splicer Machine Fiber Optic is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass, which are used most often as a means to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber and find wide usage Splicer Machine Fiber Optic communications, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data rates) than wire cables.

What is Splicer Machine Fiber Optic?

Splicer Machine Fiber Optic involves joining two fiber optic cables together. The other, more common, method of joining fibers is called termination or connectorization.

Splicer Machine Fiber Optic typically results in lower light loss and back reflection than termination making it the preferred method when the cable runs are too long for a single length of fiber or when joining two different types of cable together, such as a 48-fiber cable to four 12-fiber cables. Splicer Machine Fiber Optic is also used to restore fiber optic cables when a buried cable is accidentally severed.

Types of Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

There are two methods of Splicer Machine Fiber Optic, fusion splicing & mechanical splicing. If you are just beginning to Splicer Machine Fiber Optic, you might want to look at your long-term goals in this field in order to chose which technique best fits your economic and performance objectives.

1. Mechanical Splicing:

Mechanical splices are simply alignment devices, designed to hold the two fiber ends in a precisely aligned position thus enabling light to pass from one fiber into the other.

2. Fusion Splicing:

In fusion splicing a machine 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 continuous connection between the fibers enabling very low loss light transmission.

Method of Using Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

Fusion Splicing Method

As mentioned previously, fusion splicing is a junction of two or more optical fibers that have been permanently affixed by welding them together by an electronic arc.

Four basic steps to completing a proper fusion splice:

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 – Using a good fiber cleaver here is essential to a successful fusion splice. The cleaved end must be mirror-smooth and perpendicular to the fiber axis to obtain a proper splice. NOTE: The cleaver does not cut the fiber! It merely nicks the fiber and then pulls or flexes it to cause a clean break.

The goal is to produce a cleaved end that is as perfectly perpendicular as possible. That is why a good cleaver for fusion splicing can often cost $1,000 to $3,000. These cleavers can consistently produce a cleave angle of 0.5 degree or less.

Step 3:

Fuse the fiber – There are two steps within this step, alignment and heating. Alignment can be manual or automatic depending on what equipment you have. The higher priced equipment you use, the more accurate the alignment becomes. Once properly aligned the fusion splicer unit then uses an electrical arc to melt the fibers, permanently welding the two fiber ends together.

Step 4:

Protect the fiber – Protecting the fiber from bending and tensile forces will ensure the splice not break during normal handling. 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. Using heat shrink tubing, silicone gel and/or mechanical crimp protectors will keep the splice protected from outside elements and breakage.

Mechanical Splicing Method

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.

Four steps to performing a mechanical splice:

Fibrlok Mechanical Splice

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 Kit

Step 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.

Tips for Using Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

• Thoroughly and frequently clean your splicing tools- When working with fiber, keep in mind that particles not visible to the naked eye could cause tremendous problems when working with fiber optics. “Excessive” cleaning of your fiber and tools will save you time and money down the road.
• Properly maintain and operate your cleaver-The cleaver is your most valuable tool in fiber splicing. Within mechanical splicing you need the proper angle to insure proper end faces or too much light escaping into the air gaps between the two fibers will occur.
• The index matching gel will eliminate most of the light escape but cannot overcome a low quality cleave. You should expect to spend around $200 to $1,000 for a good quality cleaver suitable for mechanical splicing.
• For Fusion splicing, you need an even more precise cleaver to achieve the exceptional low loss (0.05 dB and less Maintaining your cleaver by following manufacturer instructions for cleaning as well as using the tool properly will provide you with a long lasting piece of equipment and ensuring the job is done right the first time.
• Fusion parameters must be adjusted minimally and methodically (fusion splicing only)- If you start changing the fusion parameters on the splicer as soon as there is a hint of a problem you might lose your desired setting.
• Dirty equipment should be your first check and them continue with the parameters. Fusion time and fusion current are the two key factors for splicing. Different variables of these two factors can produce the same splice results.

Safety Concerns While Using Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

Regardless of the Splicer Machine Fiber Optic you choose, fiber optics present several safety concerns. Let’s discuss some of the safety considerations technicians and installers should remember when working with Splicer Machine Fiber Optic:

Watch for Strays

• When splicing, the cable’s outer protective layer is stripped away, and the cable gets cleaved. As a result, stray fiber scraps can lead to several safety problems, including penetration of the skin those results in infection or internal injury. Therefore, a clean work area is extremely important. Pass electric tape or double-sided tape over the work area to collect the scraps. Then, deposit the scraps into a Splicer Machine Fiber Optic scrap disposal unit for removal.
• Besides skin penetration, scraps can also be ingested or get into the eye. Therefore, do not keep any food or drinks near the work area, and be sure to wear safety glasses with side shields.
• Always assume that all fibers are active, and never look into the end of a live fiber connector. Infrared light will not be visible, so be sure to keep the end of the fiber pointed away from you and take extra care when working with a cleaved end.
• Infrared detection cards can help make the infrared light visible, but their effectiveness varies in certain types of light. A fiber optic power meter can determine whether the fiber is dark.
• Remember that fusion splices use an electric arc to join two fibers, so the workspace should be free of flammable gasses. If space is confined, move your fusion splicing outside to an environment where gases easily disperse. Never splice inside a manhole.
• Instead, do your splicing inside a “splicing trailer.” These vehicles are marketed as clean room-type environments, and they can be customized for functionality and comfort. Curing ovens also present a hazard when combustible materials are nearby.
• Other more general safety measures include being aware of any live electrical wires in the area – both to avoid direct contact and to make sure your fiber optic hardware isn’t conducting any electricity – and always work in a well-ventilated area since chemicals are usually present during splicing. Finally, it is never a good idea to smoke while splicing fiber optics.

Techniques For Using Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

Follow the applicable equipment manufacturer’s guidelines for setup and maintenance of all splice equipment. All Splicer Machine Fiber Optic have maintenance requirements which should be described in the operating manual. Besides cleaning regularly, they require electrode alignment and occasional replacement. Follow manufacturer’s requirements for servicing.

1. Maintain clean equipment and a clean splice environment, being especially wary of windy and/or dusty conditions.
2. Use the fusion splicer’s estimated splice loss reading as an initial go/no-go evaluation of the splice.
3. Splice loss specifications should be set with the total link power budget in mind and be based on average splice loss.

Advantages of Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

Low Power Loss

A Splicer Machine Fiber Optic offers low power loss, which allows for longer transmission distances. In comparison to copper, in a network, the longest recommended copper distance is 100m while with fiber, it is 2km.

Interference

Splicer Machine Fiber Optic are immune to electromagnetic interference. It can also be run in electrically noisy environments without concern as electrical noise will not affect fiber.

Size

In comparison to copper, a Splicer Machine Fiber Optic has nearly 4.5 times as much capacity as the wire cable has and a cross sectional area that is 30 times less.

Security

Optical fibers are difficult to tap. As they do not radiate electromagnetic energy, emissions cannot be intercepted. As physically tapping the fiber takes great skill to do undetected, fiber is the most secure medium available for carrying sensitive data.

Cost

The raw materials for glass are plentiful, unlike copper. This means glass can be made more cheaply than copper.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose Splicer Machine Fiber Optic

There are many models of fusion splicing machines available, varying in features and capability, and cost. So you should do your due diligence before making a decision. The following section describes different fibre alignment technologies in several types of Splicer Machine Fiber Optic.

CORE ALIGNMENT

Optical fiber core alignment (also called “profile alignment”) Splicer Machine Fiber Optic use multiple cameras to inspect the two cleaved fibers before fusing and allow for multiple axis movement of the fibers. The two fibers are illuminated from two directions, 90 degrees apart. From the multiple video cameras, the machine recognizes the core of the fibers and aligns those automatically using movable stages.

Core alignment Splicer Machine Fiber Optic have long been the preferred method for CATV installations, backbone networks, specialty fiber applications, and optical components manufacturing largely because of their high accuracy and reliability.

CLAD ALIGNMENT

More basic Splicer Machine Fiber Optic employ clad alignments to line up the fibers for splicing. The fibers sit in a holder or V-groove and are lined up “physically”, based on the outer diameter of the fiber’s cladding. These splicing units are at the mercy of the fibers’ glass geometry characteristics and tolerances (Clad Diameter, Clad Non-Circularity, and Core-to-Clad Concentricity).

Just because the outer diameters are aligned, doesn’t mean the cores will be perfectly aligned. Such units typically produce higher loss splices and lack the features and flexibility of higher end splicers.

HAND HELD

A revolution in splicing came about with the introduction of battery powered handheld Splicer Machine Fiber Optic. These popular devices are compact and portable, yet offer performance on a par with bench top models. They are ideal for FTTx, LAN, backbone and long haul installations.

Conclusion:

Despite the advances in Splicer Machine Fiber Optic technology, there are still many aspects of splicing of which practitioners must remain aware. Differences in fibers, equipment, environment and technique can yield different splice loss results.

Understanding Splicer Machine Fiber Optic process capability and splice loss measurement will help ensure that network owners, designers, contractors, and technicians have realistic expectations of splice loss, especially with the new generation of bend-insensitive single mode fibers that are becoming popular.