Hello, everyone!
Today, I will continue to explain fusion splicing. In this article, I explain the preparation of optical fiber for splicing. This is the third article on this topic. Let's get started!
For the processing of optical cable and fiber, we need the following basic tools:
cable slitter,
Kevlar cutter,
tube cutter,
fiber stripper,
fiber cleaver, and
optical fiber cleaning fluid.
In the next figure, we can see tools for the processing of optical cable and fiber.
Figure 1. Optical tools for the processing of optical cable and fiber
Preparation of optical fibers for fusion splicing begins by removing the jacket of the optical cable. A cable slitter, drop stripper, etc. is used for this step. It is usually removed about 2 to 3 m. It is necessary to leave a sufficient length of fiber for introduction into the splice cassette and fusion splicing. Also, it is necessary to introduce a sufficient length of the optical cable into the optical closure, optical box, and so on, to fix it.
After removing the jacket of the optical cable. The next step is to cut Kevlar, for which Kevlar cutter is used. Then, with loose tube cables, the PVC tubes are removed using a tube cutter. It is necessary to leave a certain length of PVC tubes and optical fibers. PVC pipes are fixed to the entrance to the splice cassette. Usually, with optical closure, about 1 m length of PVC tube and about 1 m length of optical fiber are left. It is necessary to clean the gel, ie all materials that block the entry of water into the optical cable (which is now not needed in that part of the cable).
Only now are the optical fibers ready to prepare for fusion splicing. The procedure with the preparation of optical fiber is the same for mechanical splices. In the following article, I will explain the process of processing optical fiber. All of these are essential steps to ensure a quality splice.
This is the end of this article. I will continue to write about this topic in the next article >> Fusion splicing (4).
Thank you!
