What equipment is used to perform a fusion splice?

A fusion splicer is a specialized device used to join two optical fibers together. This process, known as fusion splicing, involves precisely aligning the fibers and applying heat to melt the ends together, creating a continuous optical path that minimizes signal loss and reflection. The fusion splicer typically employs an electric arc to achieve this melting process effectively.

While other equipment plays important roles in fiber optics installation and maintenance, they are not specifically used for performing the fusion splice itself. For example, an optical time-domain reflectometer is useful for testing the integrity and performance of the fiber optic cable but does not perform splicing. A fiber cleaver is used to prepare fiber ends by cutting them cleanly, ensuring a good splice joint, yet it is not the device that actually connects the fibers. A light source is essential for testing the signal transmission through the fiber but does not assist in the physical splicing process. Thus, the fusion splicer is the designated tool for executing fusion splices in fiber optic applications.