SPL Splicing SPL-07 Step 7 of 13
Fusion Splicing (Single Fiber)
Make low-loss, mechanically sound single-fiber fusion splices, protect each one and store it in matrix order.
Crew
- Lead Splicer
- Splicer Helper
Hazards
- Glass Fiber Shards
- Hot Heat-Shrink Oven
- Electric Arc at the Electrodes
Purpose
Make low-loss, mechanically sound fusion splices, protect each one and store it in matrix order. The splice has to pass the owner’s acceptance test now and stay strong for decades in heat, cold and vibration.
When to Do It
- After both fiber ends are stripped, cleaned and cleaved, and the cleave check passed (SPL-06).
- For ribbon cable, use SPL-08 Ribbon (Mass Fusion) Splicing instead.
- Previous step: SPL-06 Fiber preparation. Next step: SPL-08 Ribbon splicing for ribbon cable, or SPL-09 Tray Organization and Labeling.
Roles
- Lead splicer: loads fibers, selects the program, judges each splice and protects it.
- Splicer helper: reads the next fiber pair from the matrix and records splicer estimates if the owner wants them.
Equipment and Materials
- Core-alignment fusion splicer, arc-checked for today’s conditions.
- Heat-shrink protection sleeves, already on one fiber of each pair.
- Splice trays with sleeve holders.
- The current splice matrix.
Safety
Procedure
- Load both fibers into the splicer clamps.
- Seat each fiber in its V-groove without touching the bare glass on the groove edges.
- Close the clamps and the wind protector.
- Select the splice program for the fiber types.
- Match the program to both fibers, for example G.652 to G.657 when standard fiber meets bend-insensitive fiber.
- Check the cable spec sheets when the two cables differ, so the splicer uses the right arc settings.
- Splice, then review the splicer’s loss estimate and image.
- The estimate is not an acceptance measurement. The owner’s acceptance test (bidirectional OTDR in SPL-11, per owner spec) decides acceptance.
- Run the splicer’s proof test.
- Let the splicer apply its tension test, so a weak splice breaks now and not in the tray.
- Re-splice now, before you shrink the sleeve, when the result is not acceptable.
- Re-splice when the estimate exceeds the owner’s threshold (per owner spec).
- Re-splice when the image shows bubbles, core offset, or a fat or thin splice, even if the estimate looks good.
- Re-splice when the proof test breaks the splice.
- Cutting out a bad splice now costs one cleave. Cutting it out after the sleeve is shrunk costs a sleeve and fiber length.
- Center the protection sleeve over the splice and shrink it in the oven.
- Keep the fiber straight and without twist inside the sleeve.
- Let it cool before you handle it.
- Place the sleeve in the tray holder in matrix order.
Hold Points
Records to Keep
- Splicer estimate per fiber, if the owner wants it, labeled as an estimate and not as acceptance.
- Splicer’s stored splice log, downloaded at the end of the job if the splicer keeps one.
- Notes of any re-splices and why.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong program for mixed fiber types. Splicing G.652 to G.657 on a single-type program can give high or misleading loss. Use the program the splicer manufacturer specifies for the fiber pair.
- Trusting the estimate as acceptance. The estimate is a guide. The owner’s acceptance test (bidirectional OTDR in SPL-11, per owner spec) decides.
- Sleeves off center. Bare glass sticks out of the sleeve and breaks later. Center the sleeve before shrinking.
- Skipping the proof test. A weak splice can fail in the tray when someone re-enters the closure.
Standards and References
ANSI/TIA-568.3for the maximum splice loss.ITU-T G.652for standard singlemode fiber.ITU-T G.657for bend-insensitive singlemode fiber.- Fusion splicer manufacturer’s instructions.
- Owner acceptance threshold for splice loss.
On the Map
- Splice Tray: holds each protected splice in matrix order and routes the fibers within bend radius.
Related Tools
- OTDR Splice Average: turns the two OTDR directions into the true splice loss for acceptance in SPL-11.
SPL-07 · Field Checklist
Checklist
0/8items 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 · Handhole Detail
On the Map
- Splice TrayTray that holds splice protection sleeves and routes fibers within bend radius.