Fusion vs Mechanical Fiber Splicing – Which’s Best for Your Fiber Needs?

With the growing demand for faster and reliable internet connections, fiber optic infrastructure has also become crucial to consider. Fiber splicing is the key part of this infrastructure that is used to join two fiber options to maintain signal flow. The two most prominent fiber splicing methods are fusion splicing and mechanical splicing. Both methods have their own features, functions, strengths, and weaknesses. As the fusion method uses heat for combining fibers, while the mechanical process is the opposite. This blog compares fusion vs mechanical fiber splicing methods under their strengths and weaknesses. It will enable you to eliminate maintenance issues and choose the right option to save your time and money. 

What is the Fusion Splicing Technique?

It is the process to fuse two fiber ends using heat or an electric arc. The fiber parts are fused permanently in this splicing technique with minimal splicing loss and maximum reliability. This method is widely used for large-scale network fiber or in industrial applications. The machines used for fusion splicing are known as fusion splicers. If you are looking for more reliable and durable results, the X500 Active splicer in Pakistan is the right option to meet your fusion splicing needs. This machine is mostly used for drop cable, patch cords, and bare fiber. You can also use Signal Fire AI-9 in Pakistan for better efficiency in harsh environments. 

Advantages of Fusion Splicing:

There are the following benefits of using the fusion splicing technique for fiber joining. 

Reliable and Long-lasting:

It is a reliable and long-lasting splicing method as it can withstand high temperatures and deliver permanent results. It remains stable under environment changes, which makes it ideal for high-performance installations. 

Lowest Insertion Loss:

Fusion splicing has less insertion loss, lower than 0.1 dB. So it is perfect for high-speed networks where every decibel counts and better performance matters. 

High Tensile Strength: 

The fusion point that is joined with this technique is strong near to the original fiber. So, this technique is suitable for an environment with stress and vibration. Furthermore, there will be a low chance of dust entering the optical path with this joining technique.

Suitable for Single-Mode Fibers:

Single-mode fibers are more sensitive to signal loss and alignment. You can use fusion splicing for telecom backbones and log-haul applications. 

Cons of Fusion Splicing Technique:

Along with benefits, there are also some drawbacks of fusion splicing methods, such as 

High Initial Equipment Cost:

Fusion splicers are more expensive than mechanical machines. They cost somewhere in between $5k to $15k. The upfront cost for additional instruments is also more. So, it is not suitable for beginners and small contractors. 

Time-consuming setup:

Although fusion splicers are efficient and automated. Still, the entire process requires a significant amount of time and meticulous care, including stripping, cleaning, cleaving, and aligning. 

Not Suitable for Quick Fixes: 

The use of fusion splicers requires precise care and a lot of time for setup. So, it is not a go-to choice for rapid field repairs unless you have the right equipment and skills for completion.

What is Mechanical Fiber Splicing?

Unlike fusion splicing, mechanical fiber splicing techniques don’t use any heat or electric arc to join two fiber pieces. Here, fiber parts are combined manually using alignment and a physical connector. To protect fiber from any type of damage, many mechanical connectors use a cam-locking system. This splicing method is used for temporary testing of bare fibers with optical line terminals (OLTs). You can use this method if a fusion splicer is not available for combining fibers. 

Benefits of Mechanical Splicing: 

Mechanical splicing is considered a bit expensive but while comparing the end cost, you’ll come to know it costs a bit less than a fusion splicer. The following are the advantages of using mechanical splicing techniques;

Fast and Quick Installation:

Mechanical fiber splicing is a simple and relatively quick installation process. For this, you don’t need to purchase expensive tools, such as a cleaver or any mechanical splice kit. 

Low equipment cost:

Mechanical splicing machines are of low cost. If you are running a small business or have a tight budget, you can go for mechanical splicing to save more on cost. You’ll need special equipment only for a specific design splice. 

Good for Field Repairs:

This type of splicing technique is ideal for those working in remote locations or facing unexpected field breaks. As it offers a quick fix for any problem. Furthermore, since no arc is required, you can also use it in places where the power supply is unreliable. 

Drawbacks of Mechanical Splicing: 

Using mechanical fiber splicing comes with the following drawbacks.

Higher Insertion Loss:

Compared to fusion splicing, mechanical splices typically exhibit higher insertion loss. Their insertion loss ranges from 0.2 dB. 

Less Durable:

It is a temporary splicing method and is not as strong as a fusion splicer. It may degrade over time in outdoor and high-vibration settings. 

Not Suitable for Single-Mode Fibers: 

This type of splicing is not suitable for single-mode fiber as it is designed for these fibers to have a tough alignment tolerance. You can use it for multimode fibers.

Fusion vs Mechanical Fiber Splicing: A Quick Comparison: 

Fusion Fiber Splicing is Suitable for;

• People working for mission-critical or high-bandwidth networks. You can use it for telecom, data centers, and enterprises.

• You need low signal loss and high reliability.

• For long-distance transmission and single-mode fibers.

• If you can invest a high budget for quality results and better permanent performance.

Mechanical Fiber Splicing is Suitable if;

You can go for the mechanical splicing technique if;

• You want a fast installation solution.

• You are working in an area where power tools are not available

• You have run short of budget.

• Your projects involve shorter distances and multi-mode fibers with more signal tolerance. 

Final Words:

Fusion and mechanical fiber splicing techniques are used for joining fiber parts. Both these methods offer efficiency and results for combining joints. However, their working processes, features, and costs differ from one another. When comparing fusion vs mechanical fiber splicing methods, it’s clear that both are different from each other in various ways. The fusion splicing method is the gold standard for high-performance and long-lasting connections. While the mechanical splicing method doesn’t involve heat, and is suitable for quick installation and a temporary result. The selection of the process depends on your network fiber demands and budget.