FUSION SPLICE LOSS MEASUREMENT

CAUTIONS

v      Do not discharge the splicer if the electrodes are not installed.

v      Use only alcohol to clean the objective lenses, mirrors, and switches and cover panels. Any other chemical may be flame and cause discoloration.

v      Keep the splicer free from sand or dust. Never clean the V-grooves with hard material or rough object. Doing so will damage the surface and degrade the performance.

v      Always replace the electrodes as a pair.

v      Practice adjustment and alignments have been made to all parts of this splicer by factory personnel. Do not loosen any screw or make any modifications to the splicer other than electrode replacements and fuse replacements.

v      Use the carrying case to transport and store the splicer. The carrying case will prevent damage and provide protection from moisture, vibration and shock during storage and transportation.

v      Do not store in an area where extreme heat and humidity are present.

v      This splicer requires no lubrication. Doing so will degrade the performance and damage equipment.

CLEAVING

ROUTINE FIBER CLEAVING USING FK11

Prepare each fiber for cleaving by stripping all coating materials over a length of 4.5 to 5 cm, then 

cleaning the exposed fiber using a suitable solvent. A good “wetting” with the solvent also helps to

reduce static on the fiber. Allow the fiber to dry fully before attempting to cleave the fiber.

N.B. ABSOLUTE CLEANLINESS IS VITAL TO GOOD CLEAVES. FAILURE TO CLEAN CAN CAUSE BLADE DAMAGE.

Set all levers to the up position. With the levers in these positions, the clamps are open; the blade is back in the START position and the tension clamp to the READY position.

Place the prepared fiber into the grooves (insert fiber from the left side of cleaver). Make sure the clean fiber sits well down in both grooves. NOTE: The scale on the left hand clamp is to assist in cleaving at a specified distance from the end of the primary coating. It indicates distance from the diamond blade in millimeters.
Lower the right hand clamp lever (2) to the CLOSED position. Now lower the left hand clamp lever (1) fully to LOCKED position, then clamping the fiber. The right hand clamp lever should now be pressed fully down to the locked position, clamping the free end of the fiber.
Move the lever labeled “3” smoothly downward to the TENSION ON position.

Move the lever labeled “4” smoothly down to release the blade mechanism and cleave the fiber. The green LED will glow for approximately 3 seconds (this is to indicate that the blade is oscillating and the battery is in good condition).

  

Raise level “4 “ to the LOCKED position, open the left hand clamp and remove the cleaved fiber. Return all levers to their START position (up), ready for the next cleave. Remove off cut and store it safely.

FK-11 Cleaver.

ADJUSTMENTS
Tension:
The Tensioner is used to apply tension to the fiber before it is cleaved. Normal setting of this tensioner is 210 of for 125 um fibers (larger fibers may require more tension). To change the setting, raise the lever “C” to the TENSION OFF position (up), now turn adjuster screw “X” 

(accessible through the hole in the bottom of the case) using 2 mm screwdriver clock wise to increase the tension and vice versa.

 NOTE: If correct tension is not known it is best to start with a high tension to ensure cleave and then gradually reduce it until a satisfactory cleave is obtained. This will avoid blade damage caused by failure to cleave.

Blade adjustment:

The diamond blade may become worn after many cleaves, in this case it should be raised to a new position. Proceed as follows: using a 2 mm wrench turn the adjuster screw “Y” (accessible through the hole in the rear of the case) clock wise quarter of a turn. The blade cannot be lowered.

 

SPLICING
GENERAL
Outline of FSM-20CSII Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer

The FSM-20CSII Arc Fusion Splicer is used for splicing SM (Single Mode) optical fiber and MM (Multi Mode) optical fiber.

Mutual aligning of both SM and MM optical fibers is performed automatically by image processing microcomputer built into the splicer.
The power source applicable for this system is AC85 – 265V (50/60Hz) or DC10-15V. The AC voltage selection is automatic.

NEVER USE a cleaning spray on the machine. Spray that includes FREON gas causes abnormally strong discharges. This reduces the life time of the electrodes and may cause damage to the mirrors and lens.

OPERATION

Keyboard Panel

This section gives the key functions of the FSM-20CSII. Fig shows the key layout on the top panel of the splicer. Table shows their respective functions.

No	Name	Function
1	RESET Key	When the RESET which is pressed, the system stops in any step of operation and the fibers move back to Z axis home position. The splice accepts the RESET with a beeping sound and displays “READY” is displayed on the monitor.
2	SET Key	This is used to initiate the gap setting of two fiber end faces and automatic alignment of the fibers. The instructions “GAP SET “ “FIBER OK” and “ALIGNING” are displayed on the monitor at each stage.
3	MODE Key	The FSM-20CSII can be preset to 20 different modes for various fibers SM1~SM10, MM1~MM10). This key is used to select the mode. In SM mode, core axis alignment is performed automatically and in the MM mode, fiber axis alignment is performed manually.
4	X/Y Key	This is used for the automatic field change operation. When the X/Y key is pressed, the fiber image is changed from (X) to (Y) or (Y) to (X). If this is done after a gap set operation, the fibers are adjusted to the center of the monitor and focused automatically.
5	ARC Key	This is used to perform an arc but it will not function while the system is in its automatic splicing operation. No fiber stuffing occurs if this key is operated from the “READY” state or if an arc has already occurred. “**ARC**” is displayed on the monitor just before the discharge is produced. If gap setting has been done, loss estimation automatically follows the discharge operation. This function may be used to re-arc a splice after the automatic process has finished.
6	CND Key	This is used to select the menu options.
7	MOTOR Key	This is used for controlling the splicer motors manually.
8	(up) Key (down) Key	These are used for moving the ‘*’ cursor wherever applicable in the menus and options. When manual motor control is selected, these keys act as “backward” and “Forward” direction controls.
9	ENT Key	This is used to select a menu option for discharge conditions or select a motor control.
10	HEAT Key	This is used to start the heater process. The heat indicator lamp lights during heating.
11	Condition/ Comment Input keys.	These are used for input of the operating parameters or the comments.

Selecting Splice Mode.
Confirm “READY” is displayed on the monitor and select SM mode.
Setting Optical Fiber

1.         Strip, clean and cleave the optical fibers.

2.         Open the wind protector.

3.         Lift the fiber clamps and the sheath clamps.

4.         Place the optical fiber in the V-grooves.

5.         Carefully close the sheath clamp until it clicks. Check that the bare fiber is seated at the bottom of the V-groove. Ensure the fiber end face is positioned between the V-groove and the discharge electrodes.

6.         Repeat for the other fiber.

7.         Carefully close the fiber clamps and then the wind protector.

8.         Press the “SET” key.

The mirror is set, “GAP SET” is displayed and the optical fibers move forward to their initial gap.

 If the CLEANING ARC function is ON, a short discharge now occurs to remove dust from the fiber surface. Press “RESET” and prepare the fibers again if any dust remains after cleaning.

 If the CLEAVE ANGLE function is ON, the end face angles are checked and an error occurs if either is more than 5 or 3 degrees.

Now, the splicer either continues with the splice procedure, or, if the PAUSE function is ON, it stops to allow operator inspection of the fiber images. “FIBER OK” is displayed and a beep is sounded. Press “SET” to continue the splice procedure.