Sumitomo Quantum Type Q102-CA Fusion Splicer

Fiber optic cabling is the neural network of modern society, carrying everything from breaking news to that meme you liked on Instagram last night. It is what powers internal servers and modern Internet connections, resulting in faster speeds than ever. Thanks to fiber splicing, when fiber breaks, that endless flood of data does not need to stop. Before we can explain how to splice fiber optic cables, we need to establish what splicing is as well as the different methods. Continue reading to learn more.   What is Fiber Splicing? Fiber optic splicing is the process of joining two different fiber optic cables and creating one functioning cable. When done correctly, splicing creates a cable with improved durability and minimal loss. The two most common methods of fiber splicing are mechanical and fusion. Both perform the same function, but the procedures differ greatly.   Mechanical Splicing vs. Fusion Splicing There are many factors to consider when choosing which type of fiber splicing to perform. One is simpler, but the other is more precise. Read on to learn the details.   Mechanical Splicing A mechanical splice aligns two or more cleaved fiber tips and keeps the fibers together with an assembly, usually a plastic snap-type cover. Mechanical splicing takes much less time and effort, using no power supplies and very few tools. However, a mechanical splice is often considered temporary and can cause an insertion loss of about 0.3 dB, meaning light will pass through a little less efficiently than before.   Fusion Splicing Fusion splicing is the most used method of fiber optic splicing and the main one we will discuss. Rather than using a cover to align the cables, this method involves heating and melting the ends together. This creates a much more durable connection that can reduce loss to 0.02 dB. Between increased durability and improved performance, technicians usually opt to use a fusion splicer when possible. Fusion

Fiber networks serve as the foundational architecture of our modern world, and when fiber cables break, our society is put on hold. Whether it's a cable or signal problem, it can be frustrating for residents, business owners, and cable technicians alike. OTDR testing discovers the fiber breaks, faults, and other anomalies that disrupt our connections and our lives.   OTDR testing is the process in which a fiber cable is evaluated and analyzed. OTDRs troubleshoot and detect problems with data network components that can influence aspects of our everyday lives such as internet speed and quality. With OTDR testing, technicians can make sure that fiber optic systems are well-preserved, work smoothly, determine the quality of fibers and their connections, and expose errors or complications that can then be addressed. Fiber optic systems are also maintained with fusion splicers. Learn more about fusion splicing here.    What Is An OTDR? Optical Time Domain Reflectometers, otherwise referred to as OTDRs, are devices that locate fiber cable irregularities and provide operators with data so that they can make informed decisions about how to remedy these complications. With OTDR testing, operators use this crucial knowledge to restore the fiber optic system. The OTDR fiber testers are often handheld, benchtop, or rack mounted. OTDR test equipment is also normally compact and durable with user-friendly interfaces and, depending on the type, a rack or portable battery. Handheld OTDR models are light and easy to transport, which makes them ideal for in-field work. Benchtop OTDRs are also fairly easy to move, and everything in our inventory has been tested and determined to be functioning at its best.   How Does OTDR Testing Work? In OTDR testing, technicians use OTDRs to send out pulses of optical power and then measure the returned light. This backscattered light is used to determine insertion loss and inconsistencies. OTDR fiber testers