Mechanical Splicing vs. Fusion Splicing
5. Choosing the Right Technique
Let's get down to brass tacks: What's the fundamental difference, besides the method, between mechanical and fusion splicing? Well, it boils down to permanence, performance, and cost. Fusion splicing creates a permanent, low-loss connection by essentially welding the two fibers together. This requires specialized equipment and a skilled technician, but the resulting splice is incredibly strong and reliable.
Mechanical splicing, on the other hand, is a temporary, higher-loss connection. It's faster and easier to perform, but the splice is not as robust and may degrade over time. It's like comparing a welded joint to a bolted connection. One is permanent and strong, the other is temporary and easier to assemble.
The choice between mechanical and fusion splicing depends on the specific application and your priorities. If you need the absolute best performance and long-term reliability, fusion splicing is the way to go. But if you need a quick, cost-effective solution for a temporary connection or field repair, mechanical splicing is a perfectly viable option. It really boils down to needs, timeline, and budget.
Think about it this way: if you are building a house, you would fusion splice the fiber cables. If a cable is cut outside, you would mechanically splice the cable. You would not fusion splice it, because that takes too long. And you would not permanently mechanically splice the cable, you would replace the cable.
