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Tools
& Techniques |
1.
Manual alignment- operator adjusts fiber ends
until they appear lined up in the splicer's microscope.
Older technology, takes practice to perfect.
2. Precision v-groove- splicer has machined
grooves that hold fibers
in tight alignment. Less practice
required. |
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Manual
alignment is found in splicers made before 1990.
Many of these are available on the secondary market,
and can make very high quality splices, if operated
by an experienced technician. These splicers can
still perform to today’s standards, because the
quality and consistency of today’s fiber strands
is so high. The consistency of the fiber ends can
make up for some of the inconsistencies of a manual
splicer. |
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| Today's
fiber strands are very consistent in their
manufacturing, allowing quality splices to
be made with older technology splicers. |
As
fiber installations grew in the 1990’s, new
technologies were developed to remove some of
the imprecision of having the splicer technician
align the fiber ends before fusing. The precision
“V” groove has a metal plate that is
machined to hold and align the 125 micron cladding
diameters of cleaved fibers, and the technician
uses wheels to push the two fiber ends together
for fusing. Side to side alignment is trusted
to the “V” grooves. |
“V”
groove technology is still sold in some new splicers.
Cleanliness of the “V” groove and the
fiber is an absolute must, as even a speck of
dust that is 5 microns in diameter, laying in
one of the grooves, is enough to ruin a splice.
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| LESSON
REVIEW |
Key
Points:
Different techniques are used to align the fiber ends before
fusing. |
Pop
Quiz:
True or False
A precision V-groove fusion splicer is easy to use than the
manual alignment type.
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Key
Terms:
1.
Manual alignment
2.
Precision V-groove
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VIEW ALL: Complete Schedule
