Standard Requirements for Splicing Armored Optical Cables

Armored optical cable splicing requires careful fiber preparation, precise alignment, armor continuity verification, and protective encapsulation to ensure mechanical and optical integrity.

Cable Preparation

Before splicing, the armored cable must be properly prepared. This includes cutting the cable to the desired length, stripping the outer armor and jacket without damaging the fiber, and cleaning the fiber with alcohol and lint-free wipes. For polyimide-coated fibers, a buffer tube may be inserted to protect the fiber during handling ( ). Kevlar strength members should be cut close to the jacket, and care must be taken to avoid heat damage when cutting metallic armor ( ).

Fiber Splicing

Fusion splicing is the preferred method for armored optical cables, providing low-loss, permanent connections. Fibers must be precisely aligned using core or cladding alignment techniques, and the splice should be protected with heat-shrink tubing or mechanical splice enclosures ( ). Typical splice loss for single-mode fibers is 0.1 dB or lower, with modern splicers capable of achieving losses below 0.02 dB ( ).

Armor Continuity and Bonding

For metallic armored cables, maintaining armor continuity is critical. Armor bonding must be verified within each splice and between splices to ensure proper grounding and protection against electrical hazards. A cable shield splice continuity tester is used to measure armor continuity, and all test data should be recorded, including cable type, location, and expected values ( ). Broken armor, loose bonding clamps, or poorly connected lugs can cause nonconformance ( ).

Protective Measures

After splicing, the fiber and armor must be enclosed in protective housings or heat-shrink tubing to prevent mechanical damage, moisture ingress, and rodent interference. Joint boxes or splice enclosures are often used, especially in outdoor or underground installations, to provide environmental protection and accommodate extra fiber length for future repairs ( ).

Testing and Verification

Once splicing is complete, optical loss measurements should be performed using an OTDR at 1310 nm and 1550 nm for single-mode fibers. Measurements should be bi-directional to calculate average splice loss. Armor continuity tests must also be conducted to ensure electrical safety and compliance with standards ( ).

Summary

Splicing armored optical cables involves:

• Careful stripping and cleaning of fibers and armor
• Fusion splicing with precise alignment
• Armor continuity verification and bonding
• Protective encapsulation of the splice
• Optical loss testing and documentation Following these requirements ensures mechanical protection, electrical safety, and minimal optical loss, maintaining the reliability of the fiber optic network.