Fiber Closure Mechanical splice and fusion splice are the two common splicing methods. The basic procedures used for mechanical and fusion splicing are described below. Mechanical Splicing Procedures To prepare for mechanical splicing, make sure that the work area is clean, dry and well lit and then follow the steps below: 1.Remove the mechanical splice from its protective packaging and load the splice into the assembly tool by pressing firmly at the ends of the splice. Do not depress the raised section on the mechanical splice. 2.Strip approximately 3cm of buffer or coating from the optical fiber using a stripper. 3.Clean the optical fiber by pulling the fiber through a lint-free wipe soaked in optical fiber cleaning fluid. 4.Place the optical fiber in the cleaver to the length specified by the mechanical splice manufacturer. 5.Cleave the optical fiber. 6.If a gauge is provided, check the cleave length with the gauge. 7.Repeat steps 2 through 6 for the other fiber end to be spliced. 8.Push one cleaved optical fiber into one end of the mechanical splice until it stops moving. 9.Push the other cleaved optical fiber into the other end of the mechanical splice until it stops moving. 10.Place both optical fibers in the clamping mechanisms on the opposite sides of the splicing tool, forming a modified loop in the optical fiber. 11.Pivot the splicing tool handle down until it contacts the top of the splice, then squeeze the tool handle to complete the assembly and lock the spliced ends in place. 12.Remove the optical fibers from the clamping mechanisms and lift the mechanical splice from the tool. Fusion Splicing Procedures Many of the steps required to perform a fusion splice are identical to the steps required to perform a mechanical splice. The steps for single optical fiber fusion splicing are as below: 1.Power on the fusion splicer and select the appropriate splicing program for the optical fiber you will be splicing. 2.Slide the protective heat-shrink tubing over one optical fiber end and move it far enough up the optical fiber to place it out of the way. 3.Strip approximately 3cm of buffer and coating from the optical fiber using a stripper. 4.Clean the optical fiber by pulling the fiber through a lint-free wipe soaked in optical fiber cleaning fluid. 5.Place the optical fiber in the cleaver to the length specified by the mechanical splice manufacturer. 6.Cleave the optical fiber by using cleaver. 7.Place the optical fiber in the fusion splicer following the manufacturer’s instructions. Position the endface of the optical fiber between the electrodes. 8.Repeat steps 3 through 7 for the other fiber end to be spliced. The properly placed fibers should be slightly separated between the electrodes. 9.Close the electrode cover. 10.Begin the fusion splicing process. 11.Carefully remove the splice and position the heat-shrink tubing from step 2 over it. Place the splice and tubing in the heat-shrink oven to seal and protect the splice. Next please note the steps for ribbon fiber fusion splicing: 1.Power on the fusion splicer and select the appropriate splicing program for the optical fiber you will be splicing. 2.Slide the protective heat-shrink tubing over one ribbon fiber end and move it far enough up the optical fiber to place it out of the way. 3.Strip approximately 3cm of Mylar tape and coating from the ribbon fiber. 4.Clean the ribbon fiber by pulling the fiber through a lint-free wipe soaked in optica.