摘要 |
A method of forming a fusion splice between two optical ribbon cables, which comprises: (i) positioning end portions of the ribbon cables to be spliced in line with one another, and separated from one another by a pre-determined distance; (ii) firing a preparation arc across the ends of the ribbon cables of sufficient energy to soften the ends of the optical fibres forming the ribbon cables and to cause the end of any fibre or fibres (if any) that is/are the most prominent to retract; (iii) firing a fusion arc across the ends of the ribbon cables after a defined period of time following termination of the preparation arc to fuse the ends of the fibres; and (iv) simultaneously with, or subsequent to the fusion arc, moving the ribbon cables toward one another into contact, thereby to effect a fusion splice between the ribbon cables.
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