FIBER OPTICS SPLICING PROCEDURES
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General
This procedure contains all the information required to unpack, setup and use the
Sumitomo Type-36 Fusion Splicer to create low-loss optical fiber splices in the field.
The Type-36 Fusion Splicer is a portable, self-contained, fully automatic instrument
for creating single low-loss optical fiber splices. The unit is designed to a variety of
opticalfiber types including singlemode (SM), multimode (MM), dispersion shifted
(DSF), dispersion compensated (DCF), cut-off shifted (CSF) and Er-droped fibers.
Fiber cladding diameters can range from 80 to 150 µm and acceptable fiber cleave
lengths can extend from 8 to 16 mm. All fusion parameters are programmable and
store in non-volatile memory. Identical fiber splices require less than 25 seconds and
average splice losses are typically 0.02 decibles (dB) or less.
Safety Precautions
Handle glass fibers with care. They can easily puncture skin and break off. Wear
safety glasses at all times for protection from glass fibers. Dispose of the fibers
properly.
Handle cleaners such as pure alcohol with extreme caution. Wear safety glasses when
using alcohol to clean fibers. If alcohol splashes in the eyes, flush with cold water and
seek medical attention immediately.
Splicing Accessories
Before splicing, collect all the necessary equipment :-
• Cleaver
• Jacket remover
• Fiber cleaning supplies including 99% alcohol and lint-free gauze wipes.
• FPS-1 Protective fiber sleeves
Install a Reinforcing Sleeve
Select an FPS-1 reinforcing sleeve. Slip the reinforcing sleeve over one of the two
fibers to be spliced. Be sure to do this step before stripping or cleaving the fibers.
Preparing the Fiber
Use a jacket remover to remove 40 mm (1 ½”) of the fiber coating in a single attempt.
Clean the bare fiber with a lint-free gauze pad moistened with pure alcohol and wipe
the 1-2 times to remove any coating residue.
Use the cleaving tool to cleave length is 16-18mm (3/4”), but it may vary according to
local practices
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Note : Do not clean the fiber again after cleaving. To avoid chipping the delicate
fiber ends, insert each fiber in the splicer immediately after preparation.
Account for all cleaved fiber fragments. Use a loop of cellophane tape to hold the
fibers and dispose of the fibers properly
Warning : The glasses fiber fragments are extremely sharp.
Inserting the Fibers in the Splicer
This section assumes that the fusion parameter are set, and that a fiber has been
prepared for insertion. The section describes a typical splicing operation; variations
are possible, depending on the fiber type.
Raise the splicer hood, located in the middle area on top of the unit.
To release the fiber clamps, push the activators towards to rear of the unit. By lifting
the clamp lever raise both the bare fiber clamps and coating fiber clamp
simultaneously.
Lower, not slide, one fiber onto the v-groove so that the cleaved end overhangs the v-
groove and protrudes into the fusion area. The fiber end will be approximately half
way between the electrodes and the edge of the v-groove. Use the cleave length mark
as a guide by aligning the edge of the coating with the mark.
Note : Do not allow the fiber end face to touch anything or slide it horizontally in
the bottom of the v-groove. This will damage or contaminate the fiber end
faces.
Push the clamp lever down to gently lower the fiber coating clamp. Press the clamp
down until it becomes locked. The fiber should be resting in the v-groove with the
cleaved end about halfway between the v-groove’s inner edge and the electrode tips.
Now lower the bare the fiber clamp to properly seat the bare fiber in the v-groove.
Prepare the other fiber to be spliced and clamp it in the splicer.
Close the hood. Make sure the fiber are through the cutouts on the side of the hood
and not caught under it.
Starting the Automatic Splice
The splicing mode has been set and both fibers have been inserted in the splicer. This
section describes the automatic splicing procedure.
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With the hood closed, and the display screen showing “SPLICE MODE MENU”
and “AUTOMATIC MODE”, press the SET switch to begin automatic splicing.
The splicer will immediately move the fiber ends into place and the magnified view
will appear on the LCD screen.
The fusion splicer displays a series of messages while it automatically inspects, aligns
and splices the fiber. Different messages will appear depending on the profile type
selected, for example, Single Mode or Multimode.
In “Automatic Mode”, the LCD will display this series of messages:
• GAP ADJUST- adjust the gap between the ends of the fibers.
• FOCUS- adjust the focus for the 280x magnified image.
• SPATTERING- a brief arc that polishes fiber end faces and sharpens fiber
images.
• FIBER END CHECK- checks the fiber cleave angle and cleanliness.
• FIELD CHANGE- changes view between direct Y and X images.
• CORE or DIAMETER ALIGN- aligns the fiber cores or diameters in the X.
and Y directions.
• ARC FUSION- heats the ends, and then feeds fibers together to fuse them.
• INSPECTION (HDCM)-High-resolution Direct Core Monitoring is used to
inspect the completed splice in the X and Y views.
• EST. LOSS- displays the estimated loss in decibels and any observed defects.
If the splice is good, the messages “OPEN HOOD” will appear.
Evaluating Splice Quality
Refer to the figure to aid in visually evaluating the splice quality. Use the FIELD
CHANGE to examine the fiber images.
For large core offsets, bubbles or bulging: always redo the entire splice.
For black spots or lines: sometimes repeating the ARC can improve the results,
especially for cladding defects. Note Do not re-arc a splice more than twice. Instead,
perform the ARC TEST procedure, then try to re-splice it.
Some flaws are acceptable. These flaws do not effect optical transmission quality.
Note that fluorine-doped or titanium-clad fiber may cause white or black lines to
appear in the spliced region. This is an optical effect of the images processing, not a
weak or high-loss splice.
Installing a Protective Sleeve
Positioning the Splice in the Heater
The integrated heater unit is located at the front top edge of the splicer unit.
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Open the heater clamps on both sides of the heater. One heater clamp is attached to
the heater door and will open with clamp.
Open the splicer hood and the fiber clamps to release the spliced fiber.
Center the FPS-1, fiber protection sleeves over the spliced portion of the fiber.
Note : Take care to keep the spliced fiber straight. Do not flex it back and forth.
Pull gently on the spliced fiber holding it straight and center the reinforcing sleeve in
the heating chamber.
Position the fiber onto the heater door arms and lower the fiber and reinforcing sleeve
into the heater chamber. Both doors will closed simultaneously. The heater clamp will
secure the fiber by magnetic latch.
Note : Before starting the heating cycle, pressing the heater set, make sure the bare
fiber portion is in the middle of the protective sleeve.
Heating / Shrinking the Sleeve
Press HEATER SET on the keypad to apply a heat cycle to shrink the reinforcing
sleeve. The green LED on the HEATER SET key indicates that the heater is active.
To cancel heating, press the HEATER SET key again.
When the heater starts, begin preparing the next splice.
Note : The fusion splicer and heater can be operated simultaneously
After about 90 seconds, a single long beep indicates the heat cycle is completed.
Lift the open both clamps. Remove the reinforced splice while pulling gently on the
fiber to keep it straight. Visually inspect the sleeve.
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PHOTOS
Stripping the fiber optic cable.
Cleaving the fiber optic core.
Inserting the fiber into the splicing
machine.
From the monitor, we can see the machine
aligning and adjusting the fiber core.
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The machine decreasing the gap between the two
fiber.
The fiber core fused / jointed.
Taking out the fiber from the machine and slide
the protection sleeve between the jointed part.
Put the sleeve into the heater.
