What is Splicing?

So far we have discussed the different parts that make a standard FOBOT. The FOBOT itself, the through adaptors and the pigtails. To terminate the fibre, the fibre cores must be joined to the pigtails which then connect to the back of the through adaptors or fibre adaptor panel. One thing we have mentioned a number of times without explanation is this joining of the fibre cores, known as "splicing". As you could imagine, joining two pieces of fibreglass 9uM in diameter is no easy task. There are two main methods of doing this - read on to find out more!

A. the FOBOT
B. Splicing/Splice Trays/Splice Protectors
C. Pigtails
D. Through Adaptors/FAPs

Fusion Splicing:

Firstly, fusion splicing is the most common form of splicing used today. It has a lower insertion loss (high quality splice) than most other types of splicing. As well as this, the ongoing cost (once the original unit is purchased $5k-20k) and time saved per splice is significantly lower than other splicing types. Being a relatively straight forward operation (as well as advances in technology), it has become lot easier for people with little or no experience in fusion splicing to get into it. Fusion splicing has two main steps:

1. Aligning the fibres
2. Generating a small electric arc to weld the two fibres together

Fusion splicers come in many shapes and sizes, but in the end all achieve the same outcome. 

Mechanical Splicing:

Mechanical splicing is still used today but quite often is avoided because it is almost an art form. Margin for error is quite low, the process is quite fiddly, and a large number of steps need to be taken to achieve a quality join - quite often making it not worth the time when compared to fusion splicing.

Mechanical splicing uses a small, mechanical splice (about 6cm long) to permanently join the fibres. The small fibre connector aligns the two bare fibres and secures them mechanically. For an indication, mechanical splicing usually has an insertion loss of up to 5 times more than fusion splicing. Even if you know what you are doing with this stuff, 1 or 2 will fail out of every 10 due to the process.