Optical Fiber Jointing

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Source-to-fiber coupling

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Misalignments

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Axial Offset

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Longitudinal offset effect

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Comparison of misalignment effects

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Optical Fibre Splicing Methods
and Precautions
 Splice
• Permanent connection between two
Fibres
• Involves cutting of the edges of the
two fibres to be spliced
• Alignment of the cores of the fibres to
be connected is important to reduce
splice loss

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 Splicing Methods
• Single Fiber Mechanical
splicing
• Adhesive bonding or Glue
splicing
• Temp. Mechanical splicing
• Fusion Splicing

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 Single Fiber
Mechanical splicing

• Single Fiber Capillary

• Aligns two fiber ends to a common centerline,
thereby aligning cores
• Clean, cleaved fibers are butted together and
index matched
• Permanently secured with epoxy or adhesive.

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Mechanical Splice

Splice Location

Uncoated Coated
Fiber Fiber
 Adhesive Bonding
or Glue Splicing
• Oldest splicing technique.
• A two component epoxy is used as
the bonding agent.
• Not reliable as fusion splicing
technique and hence rarely used.

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 Mechanical Splicing

• Mainly used for temporary splicing in

case of emergency repairing
• Also convenient to connect measuring
instruments to bare fibers for taking
various measurements
• Consist of 4 basic components

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 Mechanical Splicing
Components
• An alignment surface for mating
fiber ends
• A retainer
• An index matching material
• A protective housing

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 Fusion Splicing
• Most popular splicing technique.
• Achieved through electrical arc.
• Splicing loss can be minimized as low
as 0.01 dB/joint.
• Splice joint needs mechanical
protection and protection from
moisture. For this epoxy resin coating
and heat shrinkable tube are used.

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 Fusion Splicing Contd…

• Suitable for SMF for use in long haul

network
• The splice loss indicated by the splicing
machine is only an estimated loss.
• After every splicing is over, the splice loss
measurement is to be taken by an OTDR

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Fusion splicing

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 Loading of Single Mode Fiber in
Splicing Closure
• There are two types of closures
• Underground application,
SC
• Equipment room
Wall Splicing Closure (WSC).
The process of jointing is as given below:
• Cable Sheath Removal
• Splicing Closure Preparation (WSC & SC).
• Fiber strip and splicing (using splicing machine by
fusion process).
• Splicing–tray loading. 25
 Precautions
Site Preparation
• Careful site preparation for a
reliable fusion splice
• Control on dust, high wind and
corrosive atmospheres to avoid
problems with fiber alignment and
contamination

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 Precautions Contd…
Minimizing Contamination
• Once the fiber is stripped, cleaved and
cleaned, speed is essential to minimize
contamination related problem
• Contamination on bare fiber surface during
the arc fusion step may increase splice loss,
reduce splice tensile strength or both

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 Precautions Contd…
Cable Preparation
• Cable preparation and handling procedures should be
as per recommendations of the cable manufacturer.
• Recommendations by the cable manufacturer will be
different for different cables.
• Individual fiber lengths should be sufficiently available
so that the fibers after splicing can be kept without
sharp bends or kinks.
• Some excess fiber length should be available for re-
splicing, if required

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 Precautions Contd…
Fiber Preparation
• Avoid damaging the surface of the fiber when
mechanically or thermally stripping fibers
• Use of proper sized stripping tool
• No more than two inches of the coating should be
stripped at one time to avoid damage to the glass
• Use of chemicals for stripping fibers not preferable
• Fibers exposed to the chemical solvent must be
thoroughly cleaned after stripping
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 Precautions Contd…

• Any acrylic coating residue that remains after

stripping should be removed from the bare fiber
surface
• Minimum handling of cleaned fibers until
completion of the splice to minimize contamination
• Complete the splicing process as quickly as
possible, since delay will expose the fiber to
additional airborne contaminants
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 Precautions Contd…

• Proper fiber end preparation to obtain a acceptable

fusion splice
• All loose fiber pieces should be controlled and
properly disposed of.
• Fusion splicing involves a high-voltage electric arc,
and should not be attempted in explosive
environments

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