Fibre splicing & terminations

Splicing and termination do different jobs

A splice joins one fibre to another. A termination provides the connector interface used to patch the fibre into another cable or piece of equipment. A complete link may involve both.

Light Logic handles fibre splicing and termination work for new installations, extensions and repairs. Tell us the fibre type, core count and connection arrangement, or talk through what is currently on site so the right method and materials can be identified.

Fusion splicing

Fusion splicing joins prepared glass fibre ends with an electric arc. The work includes stripping the coating, cleaning and precision cleaving, aligning the fibres, creating the splice and protecting it with the appropriate sleeve and tray arrangement.

The quality of the preparation matters. A splice should also be stored so it is protected and accessible, with the fibres routed within the relevant bend limits. A neat-looking tray is useful only if the fibre identity and optical result are right as well.

The splicer’s estimated loss is a process indication. It does not replace the agreed tests on the finished link.

Connector and pigtail terminations

A common way to terminate installed fibre is to splice it to a factory-terminated pigtail. The splice sits in protected fibre-management hardware, while the connector presents at the panel or adapter. Other termination methods may suit a particular system and can be discussed against its requirements.

Connector selection includes both the format — such as LC or SC — and the polish type, such as UPC or APC. Matching the connector shape alone is not enough. APC and UPC end faces must not be directly mated to one another.

We confirm singlemode or multimode compatibility, pigtails, adapters and patching requirements as part of the job. “All fibre terminations” starts with understanding the actual network interface rather than assuming every connector can be treated alike.

Care at each connection

• Check the specified fibre and connector types before assembling the link.
• Prepare fibres in a suitable work environment and protect splice locations.
• Inspect connector end faces with appropriate equipment and clean as required before connection.
• Keep routing, trays and patching organised, with consistent identification.
• Test the completed work using the agreed method and acceptance criteria.

Contamination on a connector can affect a link even when the splice work is sound. Inspection, appropriate cleaning and reinspection help avoid connecting dirt or damage into the network.

New work, additions and repairs

Splicing can join cable sections, connect an installed backbone to a patch panel or restore a damaged fibre. On an existing network, the first task is to confirm what each fibre serves and how work can be carried out without unplanned service disruption.

Pair connection work with testing and OTDR diagnostics to understand the result. For cabinet layouts and fibre schedules, see backbones and cabinets.