SPL Splicing SPL-01 Step 1 of 13
Job Preparation
Arrive with the right prints, matrix, materials, tools and a clean workspace so you splice it right the first time.
Crew
- Lead Splicer
- Splicer Helper
- Foreman
Hazards
- Splicing in Wind, Dust or Rain
- Traffic at the Work Site
- Flammable Cleaning Solvents
Purpose
Show up with the right information, materials, tools and workspace so every splice is right the first time. Most rework in splicing starts before the first cable is opened: an old splice matrix, a worn cleaver blade or the wrong sleeves. As crews say, an hour of preparation can save a day of re-entry.
When to Do It
- Before every splicing job, including small repairs and re-entries.
- The cable is placed, the slack is stored and the closure location is ready (aerial on the strand, underground in a handhole or vault).
- You have the current prints and splice matrix from the engineer or project manager.
- Next step: SPL-02 Safety for Splicing. See all steps on the splicing hub.
Roles
- Lead splicer: reviews the prints and matrix, checks the splicer and cleaver, and owns the hold point.
- Splicer helper: stages materials, sets up the workspace and keeps it clean.
- Foreman: confirms the site access, traffic control and the latest revision of the prints.
Equipment and Materials
Tools:
- Core-alignment fusion splicer with its heat oven.
- Precision cleaver (single fiber, plus a ribbon cleaver for ribbon cable).
- Coating strippers and buffer-tube strippers.
- Sheath cutters, armor cutters and aramid shears.
- Visual fault locator (VFL).
- OTDR, light source and power meter.
- Fiber inspection scope and connector cleaning tools.
Materials:
- Splice closure kit and splice trays for the closure model.
- Heat-shrink protection sleeves sized for your splicer’s oven.
- Labels for trays, tubes, cables and the closure.
- Grounding and bonding kit.
- Gel cleaner approved by the cable manufacturer or owner, isopropyl alcohol of the purity the splicer and cable manufacturers specify, and lint-free wipes.
Safety
Procedure
- Review the job package before you leave the yard.
- Prints, the splice matrix (fiber assignments), cable types and fiber counts.
- The closure manufacturer’s instructions for the exact closure model.
- Ask for a newer revision if the matrix date does not match the prints, so you do not splice to an old design.
- Confirm the color code in use.
- Most cable follows the TIA-598 sequence. Some owners use their own scheme; use the owner’s scheme where it differs.
- Use the Fiber Color Locator to check fiber numbers against tube and fiber colors.
- Gather materials and count them against the job.
- Closure kit, splice trays, heat-shrink sleeves sized for the splicer, labels, grounding kit, gel cleaner approved by the cable manufacturer or owner, isopropyl alcohol of the purity the splicer and cable manufacturers specify, and lint-free wipes.
- Bring spare sleeves and trays, so one bad tray does not stop the job.
- Check every tool before you leave.
- Run the splicer’s arc check and clean the V-grooves, so the splicer aligns and fuses correctly for today’s conditions, per the splicer manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the cleaver blade position and condition; rotate or replace a worn blade per the manufacturer.
- Check strippers and cutters for nicks and wear, so they do not scratch fibers or nick tubes.
- Confirm the VFL, OTDR, light source, power meter and inspection scope power on and are charged.
- Set up a clean, dry, lit workspace.
- Use a splice trailer, van or tent. Keep wind, dust and rain off the fibers.
- Set out a dark work mat and a labeled fiber shard container.
- Put traffic control and site protection in place as needed.
- Near a manhole or vault, park the generator, vehicles and splice trailer with their exhaust downwind of the opening. Keep the upwind side clear for the blower intake, so the blower does not pull exhaust into the hole (SPL-02).
- Match the field to the paper.
- Read the cable labels and closure tag in the field and compare them with the matrix.
Hold Points
Records to Keep
- Matrix revision and date used for the job.
- Splicer arc check result, if the splicer logs it.
- Photo of the closure tag and cable labels before work starts.
- Daily log entry: crew, location, closure id and start time.
Common Mistakes
- Outdated matrix. Splicing to an old revision means re-entering the closure later. Confirm the revision before you go.
- Worn cleaver blade. Bad cleaves give high loss and wasted time. Check the blade at the start of every job, and rotate or replace it per the cleaver manufacturer’s instructions.
- Wrong sleeve length. Sleeves that do not fit the splicer’s oven or the tray holders do not protect the splice. Match sleeves to the splicer and trays.
- Splicing in wind, dust or rain. Dirt on a fiber gives bubbles and high loss. Close up the workspace first.
Standards and References
-
ANSI/TIA-598 29 CFR 1910.268for telecommunications maintenance work. OSHA scope decides: 1910.268(a)(2)(i) excludes construction work, which Part 1926 governs.29 CFR 1926 Subpart AAfor manhole and vault entry during construction work (construction, alteration or repair; 29 CFR 1910.12(b)). See SPL-02.-
MUTCD Part 6 - Closure and splicer manufacturer instructions.
- Owner splicing specifications and the job’s splice matrix.
On the Map
- Splicing Workstation: the trailer, van or tent that keeps the fibers clean, dry and lit.
- Aerial Splice Closure: the sealed closure on the strand where aerial fibers are spliced.
- Underground Splice Closure: the closure mounted in a handhole or vault with its slack.
Related Tools
- Fiber Color Locator: convert a fiber number to tube and fiber colors before you open the cable.
SPL-01 · Field Checklist
Checklist
0/7items ticked
Tick each procedure step and hold point as the crew completes it. Ticks stay on this device only. They are a personal aid, not a hold-point release or a project record; follow the owner’s sign-off process.
OSP Map · Route Profile
On the Map
- Splicing WorkstationTrailer, van or tent that gives the splicer a clean, dry, lit workspace.
- Aerial Splice ClosureSealed closure on the strand where fibers are spliced and stored.
- Underground Splice ClosureSealed splice closure mounted on a bracket in a handhole or vault, with slack to lift it out.Drawn in the handhole detail