Rekha .V. Tranquebar e-mail: rvt@buffalo.edu Splicers Rekha .V. Tranquebar e-mail: rvt@buffalo.edu

definitions Splicer mechanical device for joining two pieces of paper or film or magnetic tape Splice joint made by overlapping two ends and joining them Splicing process of the permanent connection of two pieces of optical fibres

scope Types of splicing Splicing procedure Losses Comparison Manufacturers Cost

types of splicing Mechanical Fusion (welding)

scribe & break End preparation Striping (cable jacket, buffer tube & coating) Cleaving Cleaning the end surface

mechanical splicing bonding two fibers together in an alignment structure Transparent adhesive - e.g. epoxy resin Commonly used groove - V-groove Alignment problems

fusion splicing Fusing the two fibers Flame heating sources - micro-plasma burners, oxy-hydric micro-burners, electric arc.. Advantage - consistent and easily controlled heat with adaptability Possible drawback - weakening of fiber in the vicinity of splice

splice tray Stores and organizes the fiber & splice Protects fibers Prevents fibers from exceeding the minimum bending radius Establishes long haul links

comparison Mechanical splicing Fusion splicing Reflection losses (-45 db to -55 db) No reflection losses Insertion loss (0.2 db) Very low insertion loss (0.1 db to .15 db) cost – high Comparatively less