Laying and connecting optical fibers requires not only specialist knowledge from the installer, but also great care and caution. The attenuation of the transmitted signals will depend on the precision of the work performed. The process of connecting optical fibers ends with the appropriate protection of the welding points of optical fibers. For this purpose, optical fiber sleeves are used. The sleeve provides protection of the optical fiber and the splice against mechanical damage and the negative effects of weather conditions.
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Fiber optic connection methods
Optical fiber connection methods can be divided into:
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permanent – prepared fibers are joined together by means of permanent joints or welds; - detachable – using various types of connectors and sockets (the cleaned fiber is brought closer to the other end and positioned appropriately).
The detachable method is simple and allows for easy changes to the infrastructure. However, welding is considered to be the most qualitative method of connecting optical fibers, guaranteeing very good installation parameters - of course, provided that the weld is performed correctly and the weld is properly secured. There are two main solutions to choose from.
- Thermal welding – this method requires the use of a welding machine that produces an electric arc. The connection is made by melting the optical fiber ends. The advantage of this method is that it produces a strong, durable and reliable connection.
- Mechanical splices – these are placed in boxes or fiber optic joints . Housings are used to position the fibers and remove irregularities. Before making the connection, the installer uses a visual fault locator and checks the fit of the cut fibers to the parameters of the splicer/mechanical splice. Failure to match the length of the sections to the selected method involves the risk of creating such strong attenuation that signal transmission will be impossible.
It is worth remembering that the process of connecting optical fibers must be preceded by their proper arrangement and preparation. Cleaning and cutting cables is undoubtedly a difficult task, especially for novice installers. You have to remove the cable coating until the desired diameter is achieved, thoroughly clean the fiber using dust-free tissues, and then cut it using a special cutter. By following this order, you avoid the risk of contaminating the cut fiber. Thorough cleaning has a significant impact on the course of the subsequent welding process.
After completing the work, the transmission path attenuation should be measured using a meter and a constant power light source. The result provides information on the correct operation and execution of the fiber optic installation. It should be remembered that damage to fiber optic fibers is more difficult to detect than to coaxial cables. In the case of small installations, it is known whether it is necessary to use an optical attenuator in the transmission window to reduce the power at the receivers.
How to connect optical fibers using fiber optic couplers?
The fiber optic joint is a very important element of the optical infrastructure. It is used to effectively secure the place where fiber optics are spliced, helps to correctly position the fibers and effectively connect them, performs a protective function and provides installers with free access to the connections in order to easily and safely carry out repairs (it is not necessary to remove the cables in the entire section). The use of joints allows for maintaining the continuity of transmission, which translates into optimally functioning fiber optics. Fiber optic joints can be mounted in a cable pit, on walls or poles - depending on the type of network. Fiber optics should always be connected by a professional installer.
Fiber optic couplers at the Onninen wholesaler
In the Onninen installation wholesaler you will find fiber optic joints of different capacity (maximum number of splices), assembly method and purpose. We offer products of proven quality, whose housings are characterized by high resistance to atmospheric factors, dust and contamination.
Check out the fiber optic couplers at the Onninen wholesaler