How to use the pigtail in a fusion splice box

A fiber optic pigtail is spliced to the incoming fiber in a fusion splice box by preparing, cleaving, fusing, and protecting the bare fiber end, then securing it in the splice tray. Step 1: Prepare the Fiber and PigtailStart by stripping the outer jacket and coating from both the incoming fiber and the pigtail using a fiber stripper. Clean the exposed glass with lint-free wipes and 99% isopropyl alcohol until it “squeaks,” indicating all debris and oils are removed.

Slide a heat-shrink splice protection sleeve onto the pigtail before splicing to protect the joint later. Step 2: Cleave the FibersUse a high-precision fiber cleaver to cut both the pigtail and the incoming fiber at a perfect 90-degree angle. This ensures a smooth, flat surface for the fusion splice, minimizing signal loss.

Step 3: Fusion SplicingPlace the cleaved fibers into the fusion splicer's clamps. Align them carefully and initiate the splicing process. The splicer uses an electric arc to fuse the fibers into a continuous optical path.

If the splicer indicates a cleave or alignment error, repeat the cleaving and alignment until the splice is successful. Step 4: Protect the SpliceAfter fusion, slide the heat-shrink splice protection sleeve over the joint and cure it in the splicer's built-in oven. This sleeve contains a stainless steel strength member to reinforce the fragile glass junction.

Step 5: Install in the Fusion Splice BoxPlace the spliced pigtail into the splice tray inside the fusion splice box. Organize the fibers carefully to avoid sharp bends, and secure the pigtail connector end to the appropriate adapter or patch panel port. Ensure there is enough slack to accommodate any adjustments or future maintenance.

Additional Tips

Always use high-quality tools and clean materials to reduce signal loss. Choose the correct pigtail type (LC, SC, ST) and fiber mode (single-mode or multimode) for your network. Test the spliced connection with an optical power meter or OTDR to verify low-loss performance before closing the splice box.

By following these steps, you can efficiently use a fiber optic pigtail in a fusion splice box, ensuring a reliable, low-loss connection for your fiber network.