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Fiber Optics 301

A training guide for installing fiber optic cabling systems in accordance with ANSI/EIA/TIA & IEEE standards

Prepared & Presented By: FiberNext, LLC 3 Robinson Rd., Suite A3, Bow, NH 03304 Ph: 603-226-2400 - www.fibernext.com

Fiber Cleaving

Fiber Splicing: Cleaving

Before a technician can make a quality fiber optic join with either mechanical fittings or fusion systems, the fiber must be cleaved to very tight tolerances. Cleaving is always the first (and most important) step toward successful splicing.

Inno VF-77

Fusion Splicing: Cleave Tools

The purpose of fiber cleaving is to cut the glass strand with a close to perfect 90 degree cut for specific processes. Cleaver selection begins with basic, hand held tools that offer cleave quality within 2 to 7 degrees. These are low cost hand tools designed for general purpose cleaving. The can be used for mechanical splicing and pre-polished connectors. AFL CT02 T&B 92208

Fitel S310

Fusion Splicing: Cleave Tools

Cleaver selection continues with precision bench-top tools that offer cleave quality of 0.0 to 1.0 degrees. These are more expensive tools designed for critical quality fiber cleaving. Can be used for mechanical splicing, pre-polished connectors and fusion splicing. Fitel S323 AFL CT30

Sumitomo FC6SC

Fusion Splicing: Cleaving Process

1
Retention Pads

Precision cleavers utilize a high quality carbide wheel that is calibrated to engage the fiber by less than 1-2 um

Fusion Splicing: Cleaving Process

2
Retention Pads

This process creates a score line that will be opened to create a quality cleave.

Fusion Splicing: Cleaving Process

Anvil Retention Pads

At this point the user depresses an anvil that activates the score point and opens the cleave face. Pressure is controlled by the retention pads to help keep the shear line of the cleave as close to 90 as possible.

Fusion Splicing: Cleaving Process

Anvil Retention Pads

As the anvil is depressed, the scored point in the fiber opens under the pressure and moves upward toward the anvil. During this process, on certain models, the retention pads release as a final step (after the cleave is complete).

Fusion Splicing: Cleaving Inspection

Examples of Shattered Fibers

Examples of Poorly Cleaved Fibers

Examples of Properly Cleaved Fibers

Mechanical Splicing

Mechanical Splicing

A mechanical splice is a semi-permanent connection between two fibers made with an alignment device and index matching fluid or adhesive. Back reflection and loss can vary dramatically therefore, its most common use is for restoration of multi-mode fiber.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Utilizing a hand held cleaver, the fiber must be cleaved to length as determined by the type of splice being used. Note the graduated scale. In the example shown, the hammer will be depressed onto the fiber to create a score on the glass.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Gently bend the tongue of the cleaver to open the cleave face. Do not clean the bare fiber after completing this step due to possible contamination.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Pictured in this example is the typical packaging of a mechanical splice. This product is hermetically sealed to eliminate the possibility of contamination to the index matching gel.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Utilizing the 3M brand Fiberloksplice tool, simply insert the splice into the holder. Insert cleaned and cleaved fibers into each end of the splice cavity as illustrated. Be sure that the cleave length is appropriate for the mechanical splice being used.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Once the fiber ends have been fully seated into the splice, lower the activation head and fully depress the splice mechanism.

Mechanical Splicing: Splice Process

Shown here is a close up a fully depressed and activated mechanical splice.

Section 4: Fusion Splicing

Fusion Splicing: Splice Process

Fusion splicing optical fibers creates an extremely low loss connection, with little to no back reflection. Essentially, this equipment welds optical fiber strands together utilizing an electrical arc current. There are a variety of devices available including V-groove machines with SM losses averaging .05dB and Core-Align machines with SM losses averaging .02dB.

Fusion Splicing: V-Groove

Entry level fusion splicing equipment is in a category called Vgroove technology. These machines can produce splice losses that are typically .05dB for singlemode and .02 (or less) for multimode. Price range is between $7K and $10K.

Corning X75

AFL FSM17S

Diamond Zeus

Fusion Splicing: Portable FTTX

These highly portable machines, designed for the FTTX market, come in both V-Groove and Core Align models and can produce splice losses that are typically between .05dB for singlemode and .02dB (or less) for multimode. Price range is between $9K and $12K.

AFL FSM11S

Fitel S177A

Sumitomo Tomcat

Fusion Splicing: Modern Core Align

Todays modern splicing equipment is capable of splicing fibers in under 9 seconds, including cleave estimate, alignment, splice, loss evaluation and proof test. These splicers are capable of .01dB singlemode splices in each arc. Prices range from $19K to $24K. Data is downloadable to a PC for archiving.

Fitel S176

AFL FSM50S

Sumitomo Type 39

Single Fiber Splicing

Fusion Splicing: Device Generalities

Splice Bed Cover / Wind Protector

Fiber View Screen

Battery Pack or AC Charger Module

Fusion Splicing: Device Generalities

Protection Sleeve Heater

Device Controls for Performing the Fusion Process and Setting Up Menu Operations X/Y Axis Views / Fiber Profile

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

Fiber Alignment Guides

Motor operated sleds

Fiber Illumination LED

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

Magnetic Latches

Retention Pad Secondary Cleat / Alignment Guide

Primary Fiber Retention Cleat

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

CCD Cameras for fiber viewing

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

Electrodes

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

Fiber is manually inserted into the splice bed area. This area is located between the center (apex) of the electrodes and the outside edge of the V-groove. Use caution not to contact the endface of the fiber to the V-groove Then, flip down the retention cleats. Be sure to install heat shrink first!

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer A B

Flip down the primary retention cleat first Then, flip down the alignment guide

Fusion Splicing: Mechanics of a Splicer

Then, flip down the environmental cover and initiate a splice.

Fusion Splicing Technology

Fusion Splicing: V-groove Fundamentals

CCD Lens

Example of PAS Alignment

LED (a)

LED (b)

CCD (b)

CCD (a)
The index of refraction mismatch between the cladding and the core material causes a profile or shadow of the core diameter to be cast against a CCD camera.

Fusion Splicing: Core-align Fundamentals

CCD Lens

Fusion Splicing: Core-align Fundamentals

Fusion Splicing: Core-align Fundamentals

Fusion Splicing: Splice Process

Fusion Splicing: Splice Quality

Bubbled Splice, Endface Debris

Lossy Splice (Shaded), Incorrect ARC Power

Core Mismatch, Poor Alignment

Fusion Splicing: Splice Quality

Normal Splices, Correct ARC Power

Fusion Splicing: Splice Process

After splicing is complete, remove the spliced fibers from The splice bed

And guide the splice protection sleeve up to the splice point.

Cure the heat shrink tube in the oven for the proper time. Notice adhesive sealing the fusion tube.

Splicing Process Summary

Efficient fiber splicing is a direct byproduct of proper area setup which includes sufficient space, lighting, and well planned fiber management practices.

Splicing Process Examples

Uniprise Panel

Splicing Process Examples

PLP Stainless Enclosure

Splicing Process Examples

Corning Butt Style Enclosure

Splicing Process Examples

Century Fiber Optics FTS350 S/TM Panels

Splicing Process Examples

Raychem Butt Style Enclosure