FIBER SPLICING

 

-:FIBER SPLICING :-

Ø Fiber splicing:-

Splicing of optical fiber is a technique use to join two optical fibers. This technique is used in optical fiber communication, in order to from long optical links for better as well as long-distance optical signal transmission.

           Splices are permanent joint and are for joining most outside plant cables. There are two types of splices i.e., Fusion and Mechanical.

At the time of splicing two optical fiber, the geometry of the fiber, their proper alignment and mechanical strength must be taken into consideration.

·       Joining two optical cables together.

·       The other, more common, method of joining fiber is called termination   or   connectorization.

·       Splicing is most commonly used in the field but has application in cable assembly houses.

·       In field installation, splicing is a faster and more efficient method and is used to restore fiber optic cables when a buried cable is accidentally severed.

Types of splicing:-

There are two methods of Splicing, Mechanical or Fusion.  Both methods provide much lower insertion loss compared to fiber connector.

Ø Mechanical splicing:-

·       1):--Fiber optic cable mechanical splicing is an alternate splicing technique which does not required a fusion splicer.

   2):-     A mechanical splicer is a junction of two or more optical fiber that is aligned and help in place by an assembly that holds the fiber in alignment using an index matching fluid.

   3):-       Mechanical splicing uses a small, mechanical splice, about 6cm long  and 1cm in diameter that permanently joint the two optical fibers.

   4):-       The snap-type cover, an adhesive cover, or both, are used to permanently fasten the splice.

   5);-      The fiber are not permanently joined, just precisely held together so that light can pass from one to another.(Insertion loss < 0.5dB).

   6):-       Splicing loss is typically 0.3dB. But Fiber mechanical splicing introduces higher reflection than fusion splicing method. 

                7):- Fiber optical cable mechanical splices are small, quite easy to use, and are very handy for either quick repairs or permanent installations.

     8):- Fiber optic cable mechanical splicers are available for single mode or multimode fibers.

 Mechanical splicing doesn’t physical fuse two optical fibers together, rather two fibers are held butt-to-butt inside a sleeve with some mechanical mechanism. Mechanical splicing is mostly used for emergency repairs and fiber testing.

Ø Fusion Splicing :-

      1):-Fusion splicing, is more expensive but has a longer life than mechanical splicing. Fusion method fuses the fiber cores together with less attenuation.(Insertion loss<0.1dB).

       2):- In a fusion splicing process a specialized fusion splicer machine is used to precisely align the two fiber ends the glass end are “Fused” or “welded” together using electric arc or some types of heat.

The fusion splicer performs optical fiber fusion splicing in two steps.

  Precisely align the two fibers.

  Generate a small electric arc to melt the fiber and weld them together.

Fiber splicing, two fibers are literally welded (fused) together by an electric arc. Fusion splicing is the most widely used method of splicing as it provides the most reliable joint between two fibers. Fusions. Fusion splicing is done by an automatic machine called Fusion splicer or fusion splicing machine.

Ø Different between mechanical splicing and fusion splicing:-