Lift up after pigtail splicing

After pigtail splicing, the fiber should be carefully lifted and secured using a splice protection sleeve to prevent damage and maintain signal integrity.

Post-Splice Handling

Once the fusion splice is complete, the bare fiber is extremely fragile. Do not bend or apply pressure to the spliced area, as even slight stress can break the fiber or increase signal loss . The first step is to install a heat-shrink splice protection sleeve over the splice before any handling. This sleeve reinforces the splice and protects it from mechanical stress .

Lifting and Securing the Fiber

1. Raise the splicer hood carefully and release the fiber clamps to lift the fiber from the V-grooves without bending the splice .
2. Gently lift the fiber so that the cleaved ends remain aligned and the splice is not stressed.
3. Place the protected splice into a splice tray or designated holder. Ensure the fiber follows the tray's bend radius guidelines to avoid microbends or macrobends that can degrade performance .
4. Route the fiber neatly along the tray channels, securing it with clips or Velcro straps if necessary, keeping the splice area free from tension or sharp bends.

Additional Tips

• Always clean the fiber with lint-free wipes and 99% isopropyl alcohol before splicing to prevent contamination .
• Avoid lifting or moving the fiber excessively after the splice; plan the tray layout in advance.
• After securing the splice, perform post-splice testing using an OTDR or power meter to verify low-loss and proper continuity .
• Maintain a minimum bend radius for the fiber, typically 30–40 mm for single-mode fibers, to prevent stress on the splice. By following these steps, the spliced pigtail will remain mechanically stable and maintain optimal optical performance, ensuring long-term reliability of the network.