Fiber U


Outside Plant Fiber Optics

Lesson 7: Splices And Terminations


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

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) splices which create a permanent joint between the two fibers or 2) connectors that mate two fibers to create a temporary joint and/or connect the fiber to a piece of network gear. Either termination method must have two primary characteristics: good optical performance indicated by low loss minimal reflectance and high mechanical strength.  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.

Generally, OSP focuses on splicing, either for joining cables or attaching pigtails for termination. The termination processes described in the materials are rarely used in OSP applications but should be understood by all techs.


Student Assignment:
Watch the video, 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  
Fusion Splicing 
Fiber Optic Stripping Tools 

Online FOA Reference:
Fiber Optic Splicing and Termination  
Tutorial: Termination  
Tutorial: Splicing  
Fusion Splicing: single fiber, ribbon
Splicing different types of SM fiber 
YouTube videos on splicing and termination

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


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

 
Test Your Knowledge:
Online Quiz
Take the Quiz at the end of Chapter 7 and check your answers  

Extra Credit Reading

Connector Names and Nomenclature
Standards For Connectors, FOCIS 
Prepolished/splice and fusion splice-on connectors   Virtual Hands-On: PPS and SOC termination
Prefabricated cable systems  
Singlemode fiber termination: Virtual Hands-On:  SM termination    


Next: Lesson 8: Fiber Optic Testing

 
Return to Lesson Plan



 

Table of Contents: The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics


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