How to weld the fiber optic splitter in a fiber optic welding machine

Welding a fiber optic splitter involves precise preparation, alignment, and splicing of individual fibers using a fiber optic welding machine to ensure minimal signal loss.

Step 1: Prepare the Fibers

• Strip the protective coating from each fiber using a fiber stripper, exposing the bare fiber (typically 125 µm diameter) while avoiding damage to the core .
• Clean the bare fibers with isopropyl alcohol and dust-free wipes to remove any dirt, grease, or coating residue .
• Cut the fiber ends with an optical fiber cleaver to create a smooth, perpendicular end face. For 0.25 mm fibers, cut 8–16 mm; for 0.9 mm fibers, cut 16–18 mm .

Step 2: Prepare the Welding Machine

• Turn on the fiber optic welding machine and allow it to reach standby mode .
• Insert the heat shrink protection tube over each fiber before welding to secure the splice afterward .
• Place the fibers into the V-groove or designated slots of the welding machine, ensuring proper alignment of the cores .

Step 3: Perform the Weld

• Close the windproof cover of the welding machine. Modern machines will automatically align and fuse the fibers using an electric arc .
• Monitor the welding process through the machine's camera or display to ensure proper core alignment and fusion quality .
• If the machine indicates a poor splice or high loss, repeat the welding process .

Step 4: Protect and Finish the Splice

• Heat the pre-positioned heat shrink tube to secure the splice and provide mechanical protection .
• Coil any excess fiber carefully and place it in the joint box, ensuring the box is airtight to prevent moisture ingress .

Step 5: Test the Connection

• Use an optical power meter or OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) to measure the splice loss and verify signal integrity .
• Ensure all fibers in the splitter are properly welded and protected before closing the joint box.

Tips for Success

• Always handle fibers with care to avoid microbends or scratches that can increase signal loss .
• Use longer fiber lengths than strictly necessary to allow for routing and adjustments .
• Maintain a clean workspace and use dust-free wipes and alcohol to prevent contamination . By following these steps, you can achieve a reliable, low-loss splice for a fiber optic splitter using a fiber optic welding machine, ensuring optimal performance in your optical network.