Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment includes tools or kits for cutting, finishing and joining fiber optic cables. Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment includes different kinds of connectors and splices to create both permanent and temporary joints between fibers. Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment also includes an optical fiber tool, or slitter, which slices into the cable’s outer coating and unpacks the fibers without damaging them as well as fiber optic cleaners, cleaning chemicals or solvents and cleaner dispensers for preparation of the cut and polished joint or splice.
Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment makes it possible to customize cable to specific lengths and for specific uses. Fiber optics slicing is typically used to repair and restore damaged cables, but may also be used to cut long cables into shorter runs or mix a variety of cable types together. Fiber optic cables are typically terminated by using connectors to couple the cable to network devices. Fiber optic connectors are specifically designed to limit light loss and provide a secure connection to a device. The most common fiber optic termination connectors have a bayonet mount and a cylindrical ferrule to hold the fiber in place. Other connectors may screw in or snap in to a network device.
Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment includes tools or kits for cutting, finishing and joining fiber optic cables. Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment includes different kinds of connectors and splices to create both permanent and temporary joints between fibers. Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment also includes an optical fiber tool, or slitter, which slices into the cable’s outer coating and unpacks the fibers without damaging them as well as fiber optic cleaners, cleaning chemicals or solvents and cleaner dispensers for preparation of the cut and polished joint or splice.
Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment makes it possible to customize cable to specific lengths and for specific uses. Fiber optics slicing is typically used to repair and restore damaged cables, but may also be used to cut long cables into shorter runs or mix a variety of cable types together. Fiber optic cables are typically terminated by using connectors to couple the cable to network devices. Fiber optic connectors are specifically designed to limit light loss and provide a secure connection to a device. The most common fiber optic termination connectors have a bayonet mount and a cylindrical ferrule to hold the fiber in place. Other connectors may screw in or snap in to a network device.
Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment ranges from simple to elaborate devices, depending on type of fiber splicing. Splicing techniques include fusion splicing or mechanical splicing and are permanent connections between fiber optic cables. Fusion splicing involves meshing or welding the fiber cables by using an electric arc welder. Mechanical splicing involves an alignment device that holds two ends of the cable together while an index-matching gel or glue secures the splice together. Fiber optic termination and splicing equipment, such as the type used to do fusion splicing, can be expensive; but fusion splicing is the most efficient technique when making many splices, and usually results in fiber optic cable with very low back reflections.