A Basic Guide to Fusion Splicers and Cleavers
Fiberoptics technology has expanded telecommunications and data connectivity through its network of cables across ocean and land. Professionals working in the fiber optics industry need tools such as fusion splicers and cleavers to aid them in their work. These tools are available on eBay
What are fusion splicers and cleavers?Fusion splicers and cleavers are two important tools used by fiber splicer technicians and other cable professionals. They perform two complementary tasks related to cable installation and repair. As an alternative tool to optical connectors, a fusion splicer is used to splice or put together a pair of optic fibers using applied heat technology. A fusion cleaver is used to separate fibers in a precise and efficient way.
When do you require a cable splice tool?When you cut open a single mode or multi-mode optic cable, you?ll see that it holds several hundreds of fibers. When a cable is accidentally severed, the technician has to splice the compromised area to prevent disruption or issues with the cable performance. This is when the fusion splice and cleave methods are required.
What are the features of fusion cleavers?Before connecting the two cables, their ends should be properly stripped from their protective jackets, cleaned, and then cleaved to prevent optical loss and damage to the fiber. To be able to perform this task, the cleaver should have a precision blade that can cut cleanly through the material at the ideal angle. Some splice tools usually have an integrated stripping and cleaving function for a more streamlined process.
What are the features of a fusion splice tool?When choosing a fusion splicer and cleaver, make sure that it has the following basic features:
- Optical alignment: Using a software program, the system detects if the two cables are aligned and ready for splicing. This feature uses a core or cladding method to align the fibers at an estimated 90 degrees before they are spliced together.
- LID system: LID means Local Injection and Detection. The high-performance tools use a light or laser source to check for transmission issues after the fibers are connected.
- Heating feature: The equipment uses an electric arc to connect the two ends. Depending on the model of the unit, the highly efficient tools could finish the splicing process in under 10 seconds.