Fiber U Basics




Lesson 7: Termination and Splicing

How are fiber optic cables spliced or terminated?
 
Objectives: From this lesson you should learn:
The difference between connectors and splices
Requirements for connectors and splices
Connector styles
Termination types of connectors
Splice types
Splicing procedures
Connectors or Splices?

In this lesson, a long and very important one, you will learn about fiber splicing and termination. Fiber optic joints or terminations are made two ways: 1) connectors that mate two fibers to create a temporary joint, patch between two cables and/or connect the fiber to a piece of network gear or 2) splices which create a permanent joint between the two fibers.

Either termination method must have two primary characteristics: good optical performance indicated by low loss minimal reflectance and high reliability. Terminations must also be of the right style to be compatible to the equipment involved and be protected against the environment in which they are installed.

The corresponding lessons in the Fiber U Basic Skills Lab which shows you how typical installation processes are done is also linked below.



Student Assignment:
Watch the videos, read the references and take the quizzes (Test Your Comprehension)

FOA YouTube Videos:
FOA Lecture 5: Splices and Connectors 
FOA Lecture 6: Fiber Optic Splices  
FOA Lecture 7: Fiber Optic Connectors  
Fiber Optics - Live!  A series of videos that use lab demonstrations to show how optical fiber works. 

Online FOA Reference:
Fiber Optic Terminations and Splicing  
Tutorial: Termination  
Tutorial: Splicing  
Adhesive/polish connectors Virtual Hands-On:  Epoxy/Polish,   Anaerobic,   Hot Melt
Prepolished/splice connectors and fusion splice-on connectors (SOCs)  Virtual Hands-On: PPS and SOC termination
Prefabricated cable systems  
Singlemode fiber termination: Virtual Hands-On:  SM termination     


Book Chapter:
           
FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics, Chapter 7


Optional - Basic Skills Lab (do-it-yourself "hands-on" labs)


Test Your Knowledge:

Online Quiz
Take the Quiz at the end of Chapter 7 and check your answers  


Optional  - Extra Credit Reading
Connector Names and Nomenclature
Standards For Connectors, FOCIS  

Optional - Hands-On YouTube Videos
Fusion Splicing 
Mechanical Splicing  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 1, Setup & Tools  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 2, Jacketed Cable Prep  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 3, Adhesive Prep  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 4, Stripping Fiber  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 5, Connector Attachment  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 6, Polishing  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 7, Inspection  
Fiber Optic Termination, Part 8, Distribution Cable Termination  
Fiber Optic Connector Polishing Technique 


Next: Lesson 8: Fiber Optic Testing 

Return to Lesson Plan



 

Table of Contents: The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics

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