What Is Fiber Optic Splice Closure?

By Colin Yao

Fiber optic splice closure is the equipment used to offer room to fuse splice optical fiber and also to provide protections for the fused fiber joint point and the fiber cables. Typical fiber optic splice closure and vertical type and horizontal type, there are various kinds of fiber splice closures suit for different applications, such as aerial, duct fiber cables and direct buried. Generally, fiber optic splice closures are used outdoors, some even used underwater.

:: Fiber Optic Splice Closure Types

For outside plant splice closure, there are two major types: horizontal splice closure and vertical splice closure.

1) Horizontal type

Horizontal types closure look like a flat or cylindrical case, they provide space and protection for fiber optic cable splicing and joint. They can be mounted aerial, buried, or for underground applications. Horizontal types are used more often than vertical type (dome type) closures.

Most horizontal fiber optic splice closure can fit hundreds of fiber connection. They are designed to be waterproof and dust proof. They can be used in temperature ranging from -40C to 85C, can accommodate 70 to 106 kpa pressure and the case are usually made of high tensile construction plastic.

2) Vertical Type

Vertical type of fiber optic splice closure looks like a dome, thus they are also called dome type. They meed the same specification as the horizontal types. They are designed for buried applications.

:: Applications

Splice closures provide room for splicing outdoor fiber cables together. Fiber optic splice trays are needed too. They provide the perfect protection for outside plant fiber cable joints.

Fiber optic splice closures accept both ribbon and round fiber cables. Each type (ribbon or round cable) fits respective requirement of different fiber splicing counts. They are widely used in fiber optic telecommunication systems.

:: Fiber Optic Splice Closure Installation Steps

Here I will outline the main steps involved in fiber splice closure installation. For more detailed steps, please follow the links in the author’s bio section below.

1. Components in the closure

Fiber optic splice closure kit usually includes: end plate, splice tray organizer, fiber splice tray, cover, cable grommets, grommet retainer, mounting bracket and misc. hardware.

2. Fiber Cable Sheath Preparation

2.1 Expose the rip cord. This step involves mark the location with a tape marker, ring-cut the outer jacket with a sharp knife, remove the corrugated armor if applicable, and shave off the outer jacket to expose the rip cord.

2.2 Remove the outer sheath. This step involves make a longitudinal slit down the outer sheath, peel off the outer jacket and corrugated metal, can cut the rip cord flush with the end of the corrugated metal.

2.3 Remove the inner jacket. This step involves using the rip cord under the inner jacket to slit it, cut aramid yarns, cut central strength member, and clean the filling compound.

3. Bonding and Grounding Hardware Installation

Bond clamp installation. This step involves slide the cable clamp over sheath, slide the bond shoe under the corrugated metal, place the bond plate over the bond shoe and secure the sheath grip.

4. Assembly of Cables to Splice Closure

The preferable location for the two main cables is in the lower end plate port. If a third or fourth cable is required, it is easier to install it in the upper end plate port as a branch cable. This fiber optic splice closure is designed for two cables in each of its two ports. If only one cable will be installed in a port, the provided rubber grommet plug is used to substitute for the second cable.

4.1 Install Cables to End Plate. This step involves unscrew knob and remove grommet retainer, position the end plate assembly, attach the sheath grip to dielectric cables, slide cables and sheath grip through, and secure sheath grip to backbone.

4.2 Grommet Installation and External Grounding. This step involves apply B-sealant, push the grommets into the end plate port, and apply more B-Sealant.

4.3 Fiber Unit Preparation and Distribution Organizer Installation. This step involves remove more loose tubes, separate each cable’s loose tube into two groups, position the distribution organizer, secure the loose tubes to the distribution organizer, and secure the loose tubes.

4.4 Splice Tray Installation. This step involves place the splice tray, fasten the end of the splice tray to the organizer, and install cables, grommets and external ground.

4.5 Optical Fiber Splicing. This step involves splice holder placing, fiber splicing and fasten the splice holder lid.

5. Fiber Optic Splice Closure Cover Installation

6. Closure Mounting

7. Reentry

About the Author: This is just a brief introduction. The following link has very detailed instruction including pictures and illustration. Click here:

Fiber Optic Splice Closure

and

Fiber Splice Closure Installation

Instruction.

Source:

isnare.com

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