Understanding Fusion Splicers – Which Type Do You Need?

How do you know if you’re using the right type of fusion splicer for your network?  Let’s take a look.  First, you need to understand that there are several different types of technologies used in today’s splicers; Core alignment, clad alignment, active clad alignment, and mass fusion.   

Core alignment splicers are typically used on long-haul, backbone, CATV, and specialty markets. Core alignment splicers use a combination of cameras, motors, and light detection to monitor and align the core of the fiber during the splice process.  Core alignment is widely understood as the highest quality of fusion splice. For older fiber networks, core alignment is the best option because the profiles of the fiber were not perfect, meaning, the core may not be concentric, or the fiber itself may be oval shaped, and not perfectly round.  

Manufacturing processes of fiber have drastically improved over recent years.  Today’s fiber is nearly perfect, which allows us to use different splicing technologies.  Clad alignment fusion splicers, also known asV-groove alignment, have less motors and cameras than the core alignment machines.  The fiber alignment is based on the V-groove of the machine.  Clad splicers have less camera visibility and less motors for alignment of the fiber.  Clad alignment splicers are typically used for residential drops in FTTh networks, shorter LAN networks, and other enterprise applications.  

Recently, another type of fusion splicer has been introduced, Active Cladding Alignment. This technology combines the camera visibility, motor adjustment, and v-groove technology of the core alignment and clad alignment splicers.  The new S154AC from FITEL, is housed in the same hand-held footprint as it’s core alignment counterpart the S179, and offers the same lightning fast splicing capabilities.  It also features the removable v-groove technology from FITEL that allows for quick, easy maintenance in the field to keep your machines up and running.  It’s compatible with FITEL’s EZFuse, and several other splice-on-connectors (SOC) and comes as a great price.  This is a great machine for today’s FTTh networks. Check it out at ActiveClad Aligning Splicer.