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

2. 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

3. scope Types of splicing Splicing procedure Losses Comparison
Manufacturers
Cost

4. types of splicing
Mechanical
Fusion (welding)

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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. splicing losses Intrinsic - Freznel reflection Extrinsic
- foreign particles on surfaces
Reflection
- incident and reflected beam travel on the same path

11. what do we achieve by splicing?
Clear
Better appearance
Greater strength

12. fusion splicer
FSM-16S
manufacturer : Fujikura

13. specifications Applicable fiber No. of fibers applied Splice loss
Return loss
Cleaved fiber length
Magnification of fibre
Viewing method
Splice loss estimtion
Splice result storage
Mechanical proof test
Power supply
Dimensions
Weight

14. manufacturers Fujikura “the market leader”
65% of fusion splicers are manufactured
$3000 million annual turnover
Training
Ericsson
internships
Fitel
Sumitomo

15. highest cost
Fujikura
$ 34,450
Ericsson
$7,995
Fitel
$6,600

16. summary Fusion and mechanical splicing Splicing procedure Comparison
Manufacturers
Cost

17. references Optical Fiber Communications Principles and practice
John.M.Senior
Fiber Optic Communications
Joseph.C.Palais

18. questions?