4 Splicing of optical fibres and installation of fibre optic links
4.1 Goal

Splicing of optical fibres is necessary to create permanent connections between separate lengths.

While more flexible solutions are available in the form of connectors, splices offer lower losses in comparison and are therefore useful in cases where the fibres need not be separated after joining. For example, they can be used to repair damaged fibres.

This is a reason why an extra of fibre margin of fibre is generally used when installing fibres – if a section is damaged, the extra length can bridge the gap and a splice can be made.

Optical splicer – Fujikura 18s.

Equipment needed to splice two fibres is, as follows:

- the fibres themselves;
- strippers to remove the coating layer(s);
- a cleaver to cut the fibre ends cleanly; and
- a splicer to align the fibres correctly and join them.
- isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the de-coated fibres, and tissue for removing excess alcohol.