Fiber optic splice box splicing and fixing

Proper fixing of a fiber optic splice box involves careful cable preparation, sealing, grounding, fiber arrangement in splice trays, and secure closure installation to ensure long-term network reliability.Cable Preparation

Begin by removing the outer jacket of the optical cable, along with any shielding or armor if present, to expose the loose tubes. Prepare approximately 3 meters of cable for handling. Clean the loose tubes and the strength member sheath using a suitable cleaning solution, remove any excess filling, and abrade the outer jacket for about 150mm to ensure a clean surface for sealing .

Sealing and Securing the Cable

Select sealing rings that match the cable's outer diameter and slide two rings onto the cable. Insert the cable into the designated entry hole of the splice closure. Connect and ground the cable's shield layer. Wrap self-adhesive sealing tape between the two sealing rings to create a sealed cable end. Secure the cable to the closure base using a hose clamp, ensuring it is tightly fastened .

Fiber Arrangement in Splice Trays

Inside the closure, fibers should be carefully coiled and placed in splice trays to prevent stress or pinching. Loose tube cables typically extend from the closure entrance to the tray, with about 1 meter of bare fiber on each side of the splice organized in the tray. For ribbon fibers, ensure proper routing to avoid bending in restricted directions. Use nylon cable ties to secure fibers at the tray entrance .

Splicing Methods

Fiber splicing can be performed using fusion splicing or mechanical splicing. Fusion splicing uses an electric arc to permanently join fibers, offering minimal signal loss and high reliability, while mechanical splicing aligns fibers with an index-matching gel, which is faster but less permanent . After splicing, coil any remaining fiber neatly in the tray and cover the fusion plate securely.

Closure Assembly

Determine the number of stacked splice trays based on the closure's capacity. Ensure trays are properly aligned and stacked, with each layer secured using the closure's built-in clamps or folds. The design should allow easy access for maintenance without stressing the fibers . Finally, close the splice box and verify the seal to protect against moisture, dust, and mechanical stress, ensuring long-term network performance . By following these steps, the fiber optic splice box will be securely fixed, organized, and protected, minimizing signal loss and ensuring reliable operation of the fiber network.