Tips for Splicing 200-micron Fiber to 250-micron Fiber
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s Q102-M12+ ribbon fusion splicer is commonly used for fiber-optic installations in hyperscale data centers. It incorporates artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology Sumitomo calls NanoTune, which “automatically identifies optimal fusion-splicing conditions based on the fiber’s endface,” the company explains. “When a cleave error is detected, fibers are spliced with an optimized arc condition.”
Another of the Q102-M12+’s capabilities is to fuse newer-generation 200-micron fiber with traditional 250-micron fiber. “200-micron ribbon fibers represent a significant advancement in fiber-optic technology, enabling higher density in smaller cables,” Sumitomo adds. “Compared to traditional 250-micron ribbons, their reduced size provides a transformative solution for high-density networks.”
On a dedicated page of its website, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave describes the splicer’s ability to join 200-micron ribbon fiber with 250-micron ribbon, explaining that “pitch” is a key characteristic. “With pitch conversion holders, the Q102-M12+ facilitates seamless integration of 200-micron and 250-micron fibers,” the page points out.
“Splicing 200-micron ribbon fibers presents unique challenges, particularly when connecting them to 250-micron ribbons. Aligning these two types of fibers requires pitch conversion, a process facilitated by specialized pitch conversion holders. Additionally, tools like heated jacket removers must be tailored to handle the smaller coating size of 200-micron fibers.”
Answering this challenge, the Q102-M12+ is equipped with pitch conversion holders for different bonding types as well as an integrated enhanced auto-clamping adjustment system (ACAS) that reduces splice offsets, and precision settings for 200-micron splicing.
The splicing process follows typical procedures, with the additional step of inserting the 200-micron fibers into a conversion holder and performing the pitch conversion before proceeding with standard splicing practices.
Sumitomo produced a step-by-step video about the splicing process, which appears on this page and also on the instructional page of their own website.
You can find out more about the Q102-M12+ fusion splicer here.
