Complete Process of Adding Splice Box to Fiber Optic Cable

Connecting a fiber optic cable to a splice box involves careful cable preparation, secure installation in the closure, precise splicing, and proper fiber management to ensure low-loss, reliable connections. 1.

Fiber Cable Preparation

Begin by removing the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable, along with any shielding or armor, to expose the loose tubes. Leave approximately 3 meters of cable for preparation. Clean the exposed fibers and strength members using a suitable cleaning solution, and abrade the outer jacket for about 150 mm to ensure a clean surface for sealing.

Use proper fiber strippers to remove the buffer coating without damaging the fiber, and handle all fibers carefully to avoid injury. 2. Installing the Cable into the Splice BoxSelect sealing rings that match the cable diameter and place them on the cable.

Insert the cable into the designated entry port of the splice closure. Connect and ground any shielding layers, then wrap self-adhesive sealing tape between the rings to create a sealed cable end. Secure the cable to the closure base using a hose clamp, and identify outgoing and customer fibers with colored nylon ties (green for outgoing, blue for customer).

Seal any unused ports with plugs and tape to prevent moisture ingress. 3.

Fiber Splicing

Reserve 1. 5 loops of fiber behind the splice tray for slack and wrap remaining fibers neatly within the closure. Use single-core buffer tubes for individual fibers and ribbon buffer tubes for ribbon fibers, securing them at the tray entry with nylon ties.

Splicing can be done via fusion splicing, which melts fiber ends together for minimal loss, or mechanical splicing, which aligns fibers physically using a sleeve. Fusion splicing is preferred for permanent, low-loss connections. 4.

Protecting and Organizing Splices

After splicing, place fibers in splice protection sleeves to provide mechanical strength. Organize the fibers in a splice tray to prevent tight bends and ensure proper routing. The tray is then housed within the splice closure, which protects the fibers from moisture, dirt, and physical damage.

Ensure all fibers are neatly coiled and secured to maintain signal integrity. 5.

Testing and Verification

Once the fibers are spliced and secured, use an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) to test the splice quality, measure loss, and verify the integrity of the connection. Proper testing ensures that the splice meets network performance standards and identifies any issues before final closure. By following these steps carefully, the fiber optic cable will be securely connected to the splice box, ensuring a reliable, low-loss, and long-lasting network connection.