What is an optical fiber cable with optical splicing called

Optical fiber cables are cables made of thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit data using light, and joining them is called fiber optic splicing.What Are Optical Fiber Cables?Optical fiber cables are modern communication cables composed of extremely thin strands of glass or plastic that carry information as light signals rather than electrical signals. This allows them to transmit data over long distances with high speed, low loss, and minimal interference, making them ideal for telecommunications, internet infrastructure, and data centers . They are capable of handling much higher bandwidth than traditional copper cables.What Is Optical Fiber Splicing?Fiber optic splicing is the process of joining two optical fiber cables to create a continuous optical path. Splicing is preferred over connectors when a permanent, low-loss connection is needed, such as when extending cable runs, repairing damaged fibers, or connecting different types of fiber . Splicing ensures minimal signal loss and reflection, which is critical for high-performance networks.Types of Fiber Optic SplicingFusion Splicing Fusion splicing uses a specialized machine called a fusion splicer to precisely align the fiber ends and then weld them together using an electric arc. This creates a seamless, permanent joint with extremely low insertion loss (typically 0.01–0.03 dB) and minimal back reflection, making it ideal for singlemode fibers and long-haul applications .Mechanical Splicing Mechanical splicing aligns the fiber ends in a sleeve or fixture using an index-matching gel or fluid to reduce light loss. The fibers are held in place mechanically rather than fused, resulting in slightly higher insertion loss (around 0.1–0.5 dB) and more reflection compared to fusion splicing. Mechanical splicing is often used for temporary repairs or multimode fibers .Difference Between Splicing and TerminationSplicing creates a permanent joint between fibers and is used for extending or repairing cables.Termination (or connectorization) prepares the fiber ends to connect to equipment or patch panels, creating a temporary or changeable connection . In summary, optical fiber cables transmit data using light, and fiber optic splicing—either fusion or mechanical—is the method used to join these fibers for continuous, low-loss communication.