Arc Check Function Confidential

Even though fibers are in the same ITU-T category they may be manufactured using various processes
(OVD, MCVD, PCVD, VAD) and also have different dopant concentrations (e.g. Germanium in the core).
Therefore they may have different melting points.

The Right Side Fibre

has melted back more.

It has a lower melting

temperature.

Manufacturer A Manufacturer B

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 Confidential

A B

The arc test will adjust the arc

power to a level which gives the
ideal sum of melt back distance
(A + B) for a splice.

Best to conduct Arc Test

before you start

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 Confidential

Electrodes

Optical Fiber and Cable Division

Market Development & Engineering Department
May 2016 Version 2.0
 Confidential
Arc condition

GOOD Electrodes make Stable Arc Condition and

provides BEST splice results

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 Confidential
Worn out Electrodes

BAD worn out Electrodes makes an un-stable Arc

Conditions and provides POOR splice results

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

 Confidential

Daily Maintenance of
Splicer

Optical Fiber and Cable Division

Market Development & Engineering Department
May 2016 Version 2.0
View of Electrodes, V-Grooves and Confidential

Objective Lenses

Approx 80% of
returned splicers
V-groove are caused by just
dirty v-grooves!!

Electrode Electrode

Dust
Fiber
125µm
V-groove

V-groove
Side
Objective Objective View
Lens Lens
*Remember we
are dealing with
fibers which are
only 125microns
Keep the v-groove clean at all times. Best to conduct dia!!
cleaning once a day, before or after the daily work

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Cleaning materials Confidential

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Example of clean V-Groove & Confidential

Good Electrodes

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Example of worn out Electrodes & Dirty Confidential

V-Grooves

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 Confidential
Example of Dirty V-Groove

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 Daily Cleaning – Step 1 Confidential

Clean the areas circled in red, using

IPA Alcohol and cotton bud

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 Step 2 – Remove Electrodes Confidential

WARNING - MAKE SURE THE SPLICER IS SWITCHED

OFF !!!
- Carefully unscrew the Electrode holders by rotating in the anti-clockwise direction.
- Don’t not drop the electrodes !!!

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Step 3 – Clean Objective Lenses Confidential

GENTLY AND CAREFULLY Clean the Objective Lenses

by using IPA Alcohol and Cotton Buds

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Electrode Replacement after
Cleaning Confidential
- Carefully replace the Electrodes – Do not drop the Electrodes
- Finger Tighten the Screws ONLY!!!
- DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE SCREWS!!!

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

 Confidential

Cleaver Operation and Daily

Maintenance
Cleaver operation – Normal Operation Confidential

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Cleaver operation – Dust Contamination Confidential

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

 Confidential
Cleaver Blade Height – Fibre Scratching

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

 Confidential
3D – Mechanism Operation

©2015 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

 Confidential
Daily Cleaning - Cleaver

Clean 3 Rubber Pads

Clean 2 Rubber Pads

Clean 2 Fibre Guide

Grooves
Clean Blade

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 Confidential
Cleaved fibre examples

Chipped Fibre
• Damaged blade
Good Cleave • Blade position to high

Bad Cleave Angle Burr

• Dirty rubber pads • Blade position too low
• Damaged rubber pads • Blunt or worn blade
• Damaged cleaver

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 Preparation problems Confidential

(cannot be seen by human eyes)

Dust Chipped Fibre
• Fibre not cleaned • Damaged cleaver blade
• Dusty environment • Poor fibre handling
• Poor fibre handling

Bad Cleave Angle Burr (or Lip)

• Dirty rubber pads • Blade position too low
• Damaged rubber pads • Blunt or worn blade
• Damaged cleaver • Damaged cleaver

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