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 Fusion Splicing
Fusion Splicing, like the name suggests, is achieved by melting the two ends of the fibre optic cable together. This required a special piece of specialised equipment which does the whole process automatically. To begin with, the coating surrounding the end of the wires are removed. The ends are then trimmed so that the ends of the wire are exactly perpendicular to the wire itself. Following this, the ends are held together and the ends are inspected for any dust and debris, and to check that they are perfectly aligned. Should there be any dust in the area to be spliced, then the machine cleans off the dust particles using small electrical sparks, and then the cables are aligned. Another spark, this one much larger, raises the temperature of the glass in the fibre optic cable above it's melting point, and the cable is fused together whilst the glass is still liquid.
The location and energy of the spark used to melt the glass is closely controlled, otherwise the liquified core of the fibre and the cladding surrounding the fibre could leak into each other, causing the fibre to lose more light than necessary.
Once the splice has been completed, the machine makes an estimate of the light lost by the process. The machine directs light through one end of the cladding before the splice and measures the light lost at the other side. Usually, due to the automated and precise nature of the process, the light lost is around the 2-3% mark.
Of course, the process is a lot more expensive than Mechanical Splices, however for the nature of our work (CCTV cameras used in areas with the general public), often it is neccessary and more cost effective to use fusion splicing than mechanical splicing.
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