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Due to the meticulous procedures of maintaining a fiber optic system, it is critical that all staff members working with fiber optics are educated and trained to know exactly how to properly handle and clean termini endfaces. Because you cannot see the actual fiber endface without an fiber optic inspection scope, the cleaning process is not always intuitive. Make sure you and your staff are using the right product engineered specifically for cleaning fiber optics and that it is being used correctly. Use the do’s and don’ts of cleaning fiber optics below to help you during the education and training process. And always remember to inspect, clean, and inspect.

Inspect
•Don’t look directly at the laser-energized fiber optic termini with your eyes, and don’t expose skin to direct or scattered radiation. Most laser and LED light sources used in fiber optics operate in the near-infrared and infrared wavelengths. While they are invisible to the eye, they can cause significant damage in the form of corneal, retinal, or skin burns. Only view the termini with equipment engineered to safely inspect fiber optic endfaces. Be safe and always treat all termini as though they are laser-energized.
•Do learn what each type of contaminant looks like. It is important to know which contaminants you are working with in order to properly clean the fiber optic termini.
•Do a thorough examination to find the type of contaminant(s) on the endface. It might just be one particulate or a laundry list of dust, oil, and salts combined. Understand what you’re facing in the beginning to ideally eliminate the source of contamination and reduce the number of cleaning rounds.
•Do determine which cleaning technique is appropriate for the contaminant and the instrument termini. Do you need a one click cleaner, fiber optic cleaner, fiber optic cleaning wipes, a fiber optic cleaning swabs, or cleaning fluid? Know what you need in order to perform an efficient cleaning process. Consider purchasing a ready-to-use fiber optic cleaning kit that includes everything needed to clean most commonly used connectors.
 

Clean
•Do thoroughly wash your hands before handling the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cleaning supplies. Clean hands will be less likely to transfer dirt and oils that can compromise the cleaning process.
•Don’t apply a moisturizer or lotion to your hands prior to cleaning the termini. This will attract more contaminants and cause oils to transfer onto the cleaning wipe or swab, and potentially the endface you are trying to clean.
•Don’t wipe the endface of the fiber optic on your gown or other clothing. This is not an appropriate cleaning mechanism and will only cause the endface to be dirtier than when the cleaning process started.
•Don’t wear gloves when working with wipes and swabs. While you may think that wearing gloves will protect the cleaning materials from the oils in your skin, you will actually be adding more particulates. Gloves, like your clothing, are a carrier of all kinds of microscopic contaminants. It’s best to simply wash your hands prior to cleaning a connector.
•Do throw away all wipes and swabs after each use. This will ensure that the contaminants picked up by the cleaning materials won’t end up back on the endface.

Inspect
•Don’t forget to repeat the inspection process. This is a critical step to make sure that the fiber optic connector is clean and the system will perform at full potential.
•Do make sure the termini endface is clear of any contaminants before it is put into service. If you notice any contaminants left on the endface, repeat the cleaning process with a new wipe or swab until it inspects as pristine clean.
•Do perform routine inspections when installing new or servicing existing fiber optic connections. Clean connectors ensure that your system is running correctly and all information is being transmitted at its optimal speed.
•Do it right the first time. Leaving contaminants on the end face can degrade performance or cause a violent reaction, leading to costly replacements of the connector or the system as a whole.

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When using test instrument for fiber optic projects, many beginning technicians attempt to use the testing products without proper training or instruction. Since every manufacturer is different, the products each have their own set of instructions. Some can be used after carefully reading the manufacturer’s manual while others require more detailed training and skill.

An OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) is one testing instrument that poses problems when not used properly. Improper use or a failure to read the data correctly on this device can be very costly to companies and fiber optics specialists.

Uses of an OTDR

An OTDR can be used when installing an outdoor cable plant network in which splices are used between the cables. The OTDR will check the fibers and splices to be sure they are both good. The device sees the completed splice and confirms the splice’s performance. Another use of an OTDR is to locate cable stress problems that are often caused when the cable is not handled properly during installation.

An OTDR can also be used in restorations once a cable has been cut. The instrument will locate the cut and help determine the quality of the splices, whether temporary or permanent. With singlemode fibers, an OTDR can be used to find bad connectors.

OTDR Limitations

An OTDR can not be used to properly measure cable plant loss. The optical light source and optical power meter should be used for this task because the OTDR is not equipped to show actual cable plant loss. When creating a fiber optics network in a building or LAN environment, an OTDR will likely not be sufficient for testing. It does not work well with short cables, and in these environments, fiber optic cables are usually much shorter than those used outdoors.

OTDR Expense

OTDRs can only be used in specific fiber optics environments and tend to be very expensive. So it’s a good idea to determine if you will really need an OTDR before buying one. Fiber optic instrument rental companies usually offer these as rentals if you want to try it before buying or if you are working on a rare project in which an OTDR will be useful.

OTDR Measurements

One thing to remember about OTDRs is they measure the fiber, not the actual cable, in length. Since many manufacturers make the fiber longer than the cables that contain them to reduce fiber stress, the OTDR might show fiber where there is no cable. This could cause you to waste time digging for a cable where there are only fibers. Calculate the excess fiber into your measurements to avoid this problem.

With an OTDR, locating and correcting underground fiber optic problems can be easier. Just be sure to get proper instruction or training to ensure proper use of this helpful fiber optics instrument.

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Proper fiber optic termination is extremely important when installing a fiber optic network. A network will be unreliable if this function is not performed correctly.

Therefore, much attention is given to this area today, and more and more products are appearing on the market to make fiber optic termination easier and more accurate than ever.

What is Fiber Optic Termination?

Fiber optic termination is the connection of fiber or wire to a device, such as a wall outlet or equipment, which allows for connecting the cable to other cables or

devices. The purpose of fiber optic termination is to enable fiber cross connection and light wave signal distribution. Proper fiber optic termination will protect the fibers from dirt or damage while in use and prevent excessive loss of light, thus, making a network run more smoothly and efficiently.

Preparing for Fiber Optic Termination

The preparation for fiber optic termination includes gathering the supplies you will need, stripping the outer jacket, cutting the Kevlar, and stripping the buffer or coating. For supplies, you’ll need safety glasses, a fiber disposal bin, connectors, fiber optic cable, epoxy and syringes (or Anaerobic adhesive), and polishing film. Fiber optic tools used in fiber optic termination include fiber stripper, fiber optic scribe, fiber optic kevlar scissors, round cable slitter, polishing puck, polishing glass plate, and a rubber pad to polish the PC connectors, especially for single mode termination. You’ll also need fiber optic test equipment such as a optical power meter, FO tracer, reference test cables, a optical light source, and a fiber optic microscope to view the connector.

Two Methods of Fiber Optic Termination

One type of fiber optic termination is the use of connectors that join two fibers to form a temporary joint. Splicing is the other type, and this involves connecting two bare fibers directly without any connectors.  Splicing is a permanent method of termination.

Fiber Optic Splicing Methods

Mechanical and fusion are the two different fiber optic splicing methods used today. Mechanical splicing aligns two fiber ends to a common centerline for the light to pass from one fiber to another. An adhesive cover or a snap-type cover is used to permanently fasten the splice.

Fiber optic cable mechanical splices are available for single mode or multimode fibers. They come in handy for permanent installations or quick repairs because they are small and very easy to use.

There are two steps involved in fusion splicing. These include the two fibers being precisely aligned and generating a small electric arc for melting the fibers and welding them together. The fiber optic cable fusion splicing has a low-loss connection, but the high precision fiber splicer is bulky and expensive.

Buffer Tubing Protection

Once a cable enters a fiber closure, the jacket around the fiber cable is removed, and individual fibers are exposed. To prepare the fibers for splicing or termination, this process is needed. To prevent fiber cables from breaking, flexible buffer tubes are inserted into them.  This allows more resistance to crushing or other types of impact forces. The tensile strength is not so good because the fiber is not free to float, but the cable will be lighter and more flexible.

Always Follow Instructions in Fiber Optic Termination

The fiber optic termination process has become much easier today with an increased number of installers and readily-available termination products. But even if you are a professional installer, always follow fiber optic termination instructions closely. Be sure you have the exact instructions for the connector you are using because connectors are constructed differently.

There are many college classes as well as online classes that offer professional training in fiber optics termination. The basic skills you will learn in fiber optic termination include:

– How to Prepare Cable for Termination
– How to Strip the Fiber
– How to Prepare the Epoxy (syringe kit)
– How to Attach the Connector to the Fiber
– How to Scribe and Polish
– How to Inspect Your Connection
– How to Test Your Connector

Fiber optic termination is so important that more than 80 types of connectors have been released from manufacturers.  There are different styles of connectors to fit with almost any type of fiber optic network plan. This is why so many companies and organizations are choosing fiber optics to build or re-design their networks today.

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   Adding another I/O (input/output) connector solution for slimmer mobile and wearable devices to its portfolio, TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity, today introduced one of the industry’s first high-speed multi I/O products to transfer USB 3.1 signals in a Micro USB 2.0 form factor. The new product addresses the growing demand for mobile devices to have more increased functionality, higher speed and larger screens that require high-power battery consumption.

   “TE has engineered this new multi I/O connector to handle data up to 10Gbps for USB 3.1 super speed and 3A of power as standard — all this in a Micro USB 2.0-sized interface,” fiber optic cleaning kit said Egbert Stellinga, product manager, TE Consumer Devices. “In addition to delivering high speed, the connector’s small size, compatibility, durability and improved EMI performance present key advantages for use in small-size, battery-operated portable devices such as mobile phones, tablets, fiber cleaning kit digital cameras, navigation devices, media players and wearable devices. This product allows our customers to run high-speed data, video and power charging through one single connector.”   fiber optic tools The high-speed multi I/O connector receptacle is only 7.52mm wide, the same width as a standard Micro USB 2.0 receptacle, and comes with various pin position options such as 5+4 and 5+8 to meet the customer’s need for speed, video and power. The product provides several industry-defining, value-added features, ripley tools including higher speed from USB 3.0 (5Gbps) up to USB 3.1 (10Gbps), economical power delivery (rapid charging with a 3A battery charger at one-third the standard USB 2.0 charging time and 2A additional power over four optional additional pins), and external video display connectivity including Mobility DisplayPort™ (MyDP) and MHL(R) (Mobile High-Definition Link) capability. The multi I/O receptacle also offers backward compatibility with standard Micro USB 2.0 plugs.  

Fiber optic tool kit is a very big category including fiber optic tools for finishing a variety of jobs in fiber optic industry. So before looking further, please ask yourself: what do I want to do using this fiber optic tool kit?

There are kits available for traditional epoxy and polishing connector termination, quick connector termination, fusion splicing, mechanical splicing, fiber optic cleaning, fiber optic testing, and many more.

So let’s take a quick look at each type and their functions.

1) Traditional Epoxy and Polish Connector Fiber Termination Tool Kit

This type of kit sometimes is also called universal connectorization epoxy tool kit. They include all the tools necessary for hand-polishing termination of epoxy optic

connectors such as FC, SC, ST, LC, etc. The following list shows all essentials items that should be included.

a) Fiber jacket stripper to remove outer jacket from optical cables
b) Fiber stripper to remove fiber coatings (900um tight buffer or 250um UV coating layer) to expose the bare fiber cladding
c) Fiber optic kevlar scissors to cut the yellow strength member inside fiber jacket
d) Fiber connector crimp tool for FC, SC, ST, LC
e) Fiber optic scribe to scribe the bare fiber
f) Epoxy for fixing the fiber inside the connector, empty syringes for epoxy dispensing into the connector
g) Glass polish plate so you can place rubber polish pad on top of it
h) Rubber polish pad so you can place the lapping films on top of it
i) Lapping films (several grits included, typically 12um, 3um, 1um and 0.5um)
j) Connector hand polish pucks for FC, SC, ST, LC
k) Fiber inspection microscope so you can inspect the quality of your work
l) Fiber optic epoxy curing oven to cure the epoxy (either 220V or 110V)
m) Other misc. items for fiber optic cleaning such as Kimwipes, Isopropyl alcohol, etc.

2) Quick Termination Connector Tool Kit

90% of quick termination connectors don’t require polishing. They have a factory pre-polished fiber stub inside the connector body, all you need to do is strip your fiber, clean, cleave the fiber and then insert the cleaved fiber into the connector body, with or without assembly tool assistance, then finally crimp the connector with specialized tool.

There is no universal quick termination connector tool kit, since each connector is designed differently by their manufacturers and requires proprietary assembly tool. The major brands in the market include:

a) 3M Hot Melt connectors

Although 3M Hot Melt connectors are categorized as quick termination, they actually require polishing. The connectors have hot melt epoxy pre-injected in the body, you just heat the connector, insert your fiber, scribe it, let it cool down, and then polish the connector. The process is very similar to traditional epoxy polish connectors, but the epoxy mixing and dispensing steps are removed which reduces termination time to less than 2 minutes. 3M Hot Melt connectors are a popular choice among installers.

b) Corning Unicam Connectors

Corning Unicam connectors are typical pre-polish and mechanical splice on connectors. They have a pre-polished fiber stub inside connector body, with index matching gel inside too. You just strip, clean and cleave your fiber, and then insert the cleaved fiber into the connector body, finally crimp it on with Unicam assembly tool.They are also very popular among fiber optic installers and contractors.

c) Tyco/AMP LightCrimp Plus connectors

AMP LightCrimp Plus connectors are similar to Corning Unicam. They also pre-polished and mechanical splice on, although designed differently and needs corresponding LightCrimp plus assembly tool. They are less popular than Unicam connectors.

d) There are also many new types of quick termination connectors from AFL, Leviton, Fitel and other manufacturers. So it is worth keeping a close eye on this technology.

3) Fusion Splicing Tool Kit

The next major type of fiber optic tool kits are for fiber fusion splicing.

Fusion splicing is simpler than fiber connector termination. So they require less tools but the tools are sometimes pretty expensive, especially the high precision fiber cleaver. The following list shows the essential items in fusion splicing tool kits.

a) Fiber jacket stripper to remove outer jacket from optical cables
b) Fiber stripper to remove fiber coatings (900um tight buffer or 250um UV coating layer) to expose the bare fiber cladding
c) Fiber optic kevlar scissors to cut the yellow strength member inside fiber jacket
d) High precision fiber cleaver (this is the most expensive item)
e) Fusion splice protection sleeves
f) Fiber optic disposal unit to dispose the scrap fibers
g) Other misc. items for fiber optic cleaning such as Kimwipes, Isopropyl alcohol, etc.
h) Optional visual fault locator to visually check the quality of your splicing

4) Fiber Optic Cleaning Tool Kit

Fiber optic cleaning tool kit is pretty simple since they don’t include tools but just some fiber optic cleaning supplies. They mostly include:

a) Canned air (optic grade)
b) 2.5mm foam swabs for cleaning FC, SC, ST connectors, mating sleeves and adapters
C) 1.25mm foam swabs for cleaning LC and MU connectors, mating sleeves and adapters
d) Lint free Kimwipes
e) Pre saturated wipes
f) Fiber optic cleaner(cassette cleaner) for FC, SC, ST, LC, MTRJ, etc.
g) Isopropyl alcohols

Since fiber optic cleaning kit usually include alcohol, in most times, they are ground shipment only.

5) Fiber Optic Testing Tool Kit

Basic fiber optic testing usually only involves insertion loss testing, visual fault location, and optional return loss testing.

You can buy fiber testing kit with or without fiber stripping and cleaving tools. The most essential items are actually the optical light source, optical power meter, and optional visual fault locator. You can always get fiber stripper, cable jacket stripper, etc. from tools kits you may already own, such as an universal epoxy connector termination tool kit.

Fiber optic patch cables, power meter adapters should also be included in the kit to facilitate testing of different connectors, such as FC, SC, ST, LC, MU, etc.

Learn even more about fiber termination kit and other fiber optic tool kit on http://www.fiberoptictools.net/

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Learn even more about fiber optic testing tool kit and other fiber optic tester supplies on http://www.fiberoptictesterdepot.com/

When you’re installing a fiber optic network, one of the most important steps in the operation is testing the newly installed and terminated optical fiber cables, to be sure that they’re functioning properly. Before the testing and certification of a fiber network can begin, there are a couple of points you’ll need to have covered, to ensure that the job is accurately and successfully completed:

Be well acquainted with the particular components and configuration of the network you’ll be testing.

Determine which fiber optic tools and fiber optic tester(fiber optic test equipment) you’ll need for the job, and know exactly how to use them before you arrive at the test site.

There are two basic categories in which typical indoor-plant fiber optic cables are tested: Continuity, and End-to-End Optical Loss.

Continuity

Because a broken fiber within a cable means interrupted data transmission, it’s very important to evaluate the continuity of cables, in order to find out whether or not any fibers have signal-inhibiting flaws.

In Continuity tests, a pocket-sized, light emitting instrument – known as a fiber optic tracer or visual fault locator – is attached to each cable’s fiber optic connector, and sends light signals into one end of the cable. If the light is detectable at the other end of the cable, that’s an indication that the fiber has no breaks in it, and is fit for use. On the other hand, if the far end of the cable is not visibly lit, that’s a sign that a break or some other imperfection in the fiber is preventing it from transmitting signals.

Cables aren’t the only fiber optic network components to be checked for their transmission ability: connectors are put to the test as well. Installers are able to inspect fiber optic connectors with fiber optic microscope, making sure that they are smoothly polished and able to provide an effective connection.

Optical Loss

Optical loss testing enters the equation when it comes time measure the difference between the starting amount of optical power that is sent into a cable’s transmitting end, and the amount that actually makes it to the receiving end. In order to evaluate Optical Loss, three types of test equipment are needed: a optical power meter, a optical light source, and a reference cable or two.

When measuring end-to-end optical loss, the installation technician begins by connecting the cable being tested to a reference cable. Next, a optical light source is used to send a light signal into the transmitting end of the test cable, and the amount of optical power that reaches the far end of the attached reference cable is measured with a optical power meter. This measurement gives the optical loss – or amount of power lost during end-to-end transmission – of the tested cable.

Whether you’re installing network cables or testing them, visit http://www.fiberoptictesterdepot.com/ and check out our incredible inventory of fiber optic supplies. From fiber stripper to fiber termination kit, from fiber splicer to fiber optic test kit, we have everything you need to get your fiber optic job done!

A recent technology brief from Allied Telesis outlines 5 reasons to converge video surveillance onto the corporate IP network.

The company notes that, with the evolution of CCTV technology, the emphasis for enterprise security deployments has moved from simple monitoring of video footage to intelligent systems that are capable of identifying abnormal events or behavior. As intelligence increases in these systems, so too do the applications for this technology.

Further, as the transition from analog to IP-based digital technology has opened the door for numerous enhancements to the operation of video surveillance, the company notes how these improvements have increased the value of video-surveillance based security, while reducing its total cost in terms of equipment, installation and operational costs.

“IP cameras no longer need special cabling, special receiving equipment or special recording equipment. They just use IP-over-Ethernet, like all the other equipment in the corporate LAN,” points out Allied Telesis.
The brief continues, “There is no need for dedicated switching, cabling and recording infrastructure for the video surveillance system. [Further,] there are no technical barriers against converging the video surveillance system onto the main data network, and the bandwidth provisioning requirements are predictable.”

The five reasons for such convergence, as elucidated by Allied Telesis, include: cost-savings; consistency; opportunities for new service deployment; flexibility; and participation in a network management framework.

Schneider Electric has released a new data center reference design that the company says brings a new approach to data center builds and expansions, bringing outstanding consistency and predictability to facilities. The design hinges on a flexible “build and expansion” concept that is applicable to data centers at any point in their lifecycle, says Schneider.

The new approach is formalized in the company’s new Reference Design 21, fiber optic cleaning one of over 70 designs in Schneider Electric’s Reference Design Library. The new concept aims to provide data center owners in the colocation, cloud/ hosting, and multi-tenant data center to enterprise data center spaces with the flexibility and customization capability needed to meet cost and speed-to-market challenges, says the company. Developed by Schneider Electric’s Data Center Service Provider team, us conec the ultra-flexible design utilizes modular building blocks, easily scalable from 200kW to 3.6MW of capacity, or more, that can be implemented in a piecemeal fashion as individual solutions or as a comprehensive, cohesive system. The components can also be configured into layouts that fit the specific tier, scale, and cost requirements of data center designers, enabling them to decrease expenses, decrease time to market and reduce business risk.

The heart of this design concept’s flexibility and scalability lies in Schneider Electric’s new prefabricated 1200kW (600kW + 600kW) Facility Power Skid and EcoBreeze Air Economizer products. fiber optic cleaning kit The Facility Power Skids integrate UPSs, switchgear and management software in a compact, modular form, while the units’ unique output power bus design makes it easy to go from 2N to an N or N+1 configuration with double the power capacity. The cooling plant design employs an extremely efficient air delivery system bringing indirect, clean, and conditioned air to the data center utilizing two different economization modes. Operating from a central location outside of the white space, the EcoBreeze air economizers eliminate the need for CRAC or CRAH units, enabling data centers to achieve a low PUE, reduce OPEX, and, for multi-tenant data centers, free up valuable, i.e. income-generating, operating floor space.

Easily implemented through incremental chunks as needed, the company says the new reference design can be easily configured to provide flexible data hall and IT rack design layouts including on slab, fiber optic tools traditional raised floors and prefab structures. Reference Design 21 specifies various module options and configurations, applicable to greenfield and brownfield data centers, enabling the infrastructure to be deployed and scaled as necessary to meet demand. Simplified building design options reduce complexity, while streamlined pricing tools provide the ability to make informed decisions quickly. Capital spending reductions may result from the ability to right-size the data center as needed, eliminating complicated new construction or expensive building retrofits. Prefabrication and factory testing reduces human error and on-site construction risks while improving compliance, safety, and efficiency. network tool kit Design and manufacturing are closely coupled to greatly minimize uncertainty, which results in more predictable performance of the data center infrastructure.

“Today’s increasingly digital business environment is causing a rapidly growing demand for more flexible, scalable and quickly deployable data centers, leaving many businesses asking how they will meet this need while reducing total cost of ownership,” comments Joe Reele, Vice President, Data Center Solutions Architects, Schneider Electric. “With this flexible design approach, Schneider Electric provides data center managers with the customizable design guidance they need to quickly right-size their facility without excessive capital overlay or risk, at a cost per KW entry point that is below industry standards.”

Cleaning. Not exactly a hot, cutting edge topic – right? But, dirty connector end faces may very well be the biggest cause of failures in the field for fiber optic links today. This is a topic that many people in the industry spend a lot of time on – much of it behind the scenes. Companies continue to produce new cleaning products, update their cleaning procedures and invest in equipment to inspect connectors before installation.

Face it, in the case of a fiber optic link, cleanliness may indeed be next to Godliness! There was a webinar last month where US Conec presented some interesting information about end face dirt and cleaning tools for connectors. We have heard of users rejecting product before doing loss testing because their initial test is a pass/fail visual inspection – probably more often failing from dirt than real scratches and marks. The FOA has a “Tech Topic” page devoted to this, along with links to more information. Corning posted a youtube video all about cleaning the end of a ferrule – and it is over 5 minutes long. Cisco has a document on their website entitled “Inspection and Cleaning Procedures for Fiber-Optic Connections” and it takes hitting my ‘page down’ button 33 times to get to the end. Now that is a lot of cleaning information!

US Conec has recently introduced new connector cleaners – adding to their popular IBC Cleaners line. New units for cleaning duplex LCs, MTRJ, all single fiber connectors as well as TFOCA connectors. These can be used to clean connectors before mating and when already loaded into adapters.

In the end, this is an important topic and not something that should be an after-thought for anyone dealing with fiber connectors. Whether you terminate connectors, write specs for them, install them or use them in any way – make sure you have planned a way to clean them and everyone who handles them understands the importance of doing so. This means doing something every time you have to mate a connector pair. It’s important.

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What is a fiber splicer?

A fiber splicer is a device that uses an electric arc to melt two optical fibers together at their end faces, to form a single long fiber. The resulting joint, or fusion splice, permanently joins the two glass fibers end to end, so that optical light signals can pass from one fiber into the other with very little loss.

How does a fiber splicer work?

Before optical fibers can be successfully fusion-spliced, they need to be carefully stripped of their outer jackets and polymer coating, thoroughly cleaned, and then precisely cleaved to form smooth, perpendicular end faces. Once all of this has been completed, each fiber is placed into a holder in the splicer’s enclosure. From this point on, the fiber splicer takes over the rest of the process, which involves 3 steps:

•Alignment: Using small, precise motors, the fiber splicer makes minute adjustments to the fibers’ positions until they’re properly aligned, so the finished splice will be as seamless and attenuation-free as possible. During the alignment process, the fiber optic technician is able to view the fiber alignment, thanks to magnification by optical power meter, video camera, or viewing scope.
 

•Impurity Burn-Off: Since the slightest trace of dust or other impurities can wreak havoc on a splice’s ability to transmit optical signals, you can never be too clean when it comes to fusion splicing. Even though fibers are hand-cleaned before being inserted into the splicing device, many fiber splicer incorporate an extra precautionary cleaning step into the process: prior to fusing, they generate a small spark between the fiber ends to burn off any remaining dust or moisture.
 

•Fusion: After fibers have been properly positioned and any remaining moisture and dust have been burned off, it’s time to fuse the fibers ends together to form a permanent splice. The splicer emits a second, larger spark that melts the optical fiber end faces without causing the fibers’ cladding and molten glass core to run together (keeping the cladding and core separate is vital for a good splice – it minimizes optical loss). The melted fiber tips are then joined together, forming the final fusion splice. Estimated splice-loss tests are then performed, with most fiber fusion splices showing a typical optical loss of 0.1 dB or less.

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