Fiber Optic Splice Boxes: Functions, Types and Selection Guide - 0 views
started by aderking on 23 Jul 23
started by aderking on 23 Jul 23
started by aderking on 23 Jul 23
started by aderking on 23 Jul 23
Fiber optic splice boxes are protective enclosures used in fiber optic networks to house and consolidate optical fiber splices and connections. Properly installed splice boxes are critical components that allow fiber optic networks to be efficiently expanded and maintained. This article provides an in-depth overview of fiber optic splice boxes, with a focus on products from the leading manufacturer Fibermint. We will examine what splice boxes are, types of Fibermint boxes, key selection criteria, installation best practices, and maintenance.
What are Fiber Optic Splice Boxes?
A fiber optic splice box, also called a fiber splice closure or splice case, is a container used to protect optical fiber splices and connections. It organizes and stores fiber slack and splices in a central, accessible location.
The main functions of fiber optic splice boxes include:
- Protecting splices - The enclosure seals out contaminants and mechanical damage that can degrade fiber signals. common protection ratings used are IP54 and IP68.
- Accessibility - Technicians can safely access the interior to perform maintenance like reconfiguring or troubleshooting splices.
- Organization - Internal trays, anchors and guides organize incoming/outgoing cables and individual fibers neatly.
- Managing slack - Fiber coils allow for rearrangements and repairs without pulling new cable.
- Strength member anchoring - The box secures the fibers' Kevlar strength members to prevent cable movement from stressing the glass fibers.
- Consolidation - Multiple distribution or drop cables can be spliced together in one location.
Overall, splice boxes create stable splice points and flexibility for modifying fiber connections as needed. This beats risky handling of unprotected splices in the field.
Types of Fibermint Splice Boxes
Fibermint manufactures a comprehensive range of high-quality fiber optic splice boxes to meet different network requirements:
Aerial/Pole-Mounted Boxes
Designed for overhead cabling along utility poles. Features include:
- Durable water-resistant housings like the FM-A02
- Multiple cable entry ports with sealing glands
- Pole and strand mounting options
- Easy top or side access to splices
- Space for splice trays and fiber management
Direct Buried Underground Boxes
Provide underground cable-to-cable splicing, like the FM-U12:
- Meets IP68 protection against submersion
- Domed or rectangular styles
- Cable/conduit entry ports are watertight
- Large capacity to 2340 splices
- Stainless steel housing resists corrosion
Building/Structure Mounted Boxes
Install on walls, racks or structures indoors/outdoors:
- Compact and modular, like the FM-D01
- 18 to 144 fiber splices
- Accepts up to 4 cables
- Front or rear cable entry options
- Removable splice trays
Handhole Boxes
Larger in-ground boxes allowing access to multiple splice points:
- Rectangular handholes for roadway placement
- Space for large fiber count splicing
- Heavy duty housings withstand traffic loads
- Covers are bolted and sealed
Fibermint can also design fully customized splice box solutions where needed.
Key Splice Box Selection Considerations
Choosing the right fiber optic splice box depends on factors like the deployment environment, space and capacity needs. Considerations include:
Installation Environment
Where will the splice box be placed - outdoors, direct buried, indoors, aerial, or underground? Environmental sealing and temperature tolerance are important.
Space and Capacity
Evaluate the dimensions, number of splices, and cable entry ports needed now and for future growth. This determines the required box size.
Accessibility
How will technicians access the box? Removable domes and doors allow easy re-entry. Underground handholes require confined space procedures.
Cable and Fiber Management
Review internal cable routing paths and anchor points. Fiber organize trays should be removable and reconfigurable.
Security
Outdoor boxes need tamper-resistant, lockable covers. Monitoring may be needed for remote boxes.
Sealing and Protection
Will the box be submerged or directly buried? IP68 rating or better is recommended.
Budget
Higher quality boxes cost more but offer extended lifetimes. Prioritize critical links.
By balancing these criteria, the ideal fiber optic splice box can be matched to the network's specific demands.
Fibermint Product Lines
Fibermint manufactures several major product lines to address different splice box applications:
1. Dome Style Outside Plant Closures
- Circular dome for aerial and pole installations
- Available in 4 to 24 port options
- FM-A04 to FM-A24 models
- IP54 protection grade
2. Underground/Direct Buried Closures
- FM-U12 to FM-U48 rectangular closures
-Houses up to 48 splices
-IP68 rated for submersion
-Durable polyethylene housing
3. Building/Structure Mounted Boxes
- Low profile, compact modular boxes
- FM-D01 to FM-D12 models
- Suitable for LAN rooms, data centers
- Manage 18 to 144 fiber splices
4. FTTx Multiport Closures
- Support fiber to the home (FTTH) networks
- Built-in optical splitters
- Options for 16, 32 or 64 ports
- Easy splitter module access
5. Handhole Splice Closures
- Larger in-ground boxes for roadway and intersection placements
- Splitter-ready and non-splitter versions
- houses 100s of splices with ample cable management
- Covers are bolted and sealed
6. Custom Engineered Solutions
- Fibermint engineers custom boxes where needed
- Modifications to fit unique space, capacity and cabling constraints
This diverse product selection makes Fibermint a trusted one-stop supplier of splice boxes for nearly any fiber optic network deployment.
Splice Box Installation Best Practices
Following careful installation procedures ensures fiber optic splice boxes achieve their maximum reliability and lifetime:
- Thoroughly clean and prepare cables using alcohol wipes.
- Leave plenty of fiber slack when routing and splicing within the box.
- Securely anchor the cable Kevlar strength members to prevent movement.
- Organize fibers neatly into labeled splice trays for easy maintenance.
- Tighten all cable glands and seals to prevent moisture ingress.
- Avoid sharp cable bends which stress glass fiber. Maintain bend radius.
- Test all fibers to ensure low insertion loss before closing the box.
- Backfill underground boxes with clean sand or grit to prevent housing cracks.
- Seal any unused cable ports with plugs to keep the enclosure protective class.
Proper training on box installation best practices is highly recommended. This maximizes the box's cable management capabilities while providing a clean and accessible interior for splice work.
Ongoing Splice Box Maintenance
Regular inspection and maintenance keeps splice boxes performing optimally:
- Establish a preventative maintenance schedule based on environmental factors and box criticality.
- Check sealed for cracks or gaps where moisture or contaminants could enter. Re-seal as necessary.
- Confirm cable glands are snug and all unused ports are plugged.
- Test fiber splices for insertion loss changes indicating degrading splices. Re-splice if needed.
- Verify anchor strength member ties are secure and not degrading.
- Inspect for any signs of water intrusion, rodent damage, or pulled fibers.
- Update labeling and organization if modifications were made.
- Lubricate and exercise box seals and doors to prevent seizing up over time.
Following the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines for regular inspection, testing, and re-sealing preserves long-term splice box integrity.
Conclusion
Fiber optic splice boxes are integral components enabling fiber optic networks to be efficiently extended, modified and maintained. The wide selection of Fibermint splice boxes provides reliable enclosures tailored for aerial, buried, underground and indoor applications. Careful selection criteria and installation best practices help ensure these boxes protect critical fiber splices over decades. Ongoing maintenance and testing preserves splice boxes in their optimal operating condition. As global bandwidth demand grows, high-quality fiber optic splice boxes like Fibermint models will continue serving as the vital connection points underpinning information networks.
Ongoing Splice Box Maintenance
Regular inspection and maintenance keeps splice boxes performing optimally:
Following the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines for regular inspection, testing, and re-sealing preserves long-term splice box integrity.
Fibermint Product Spotlights
Here we take a deeper look at some of Fibermint's most popular fiber optic splice box models and their key features:
FM-A24 Dome Closure
This domed closure is ideal for aerial networks with many fiber optic cables converging at pole tops. The dome's removable top provides fast access for splicing while the multiple ports neatly organize a high volume of drop cables.
FM-U12 Underground Closure
With its extreme waterproofing and durable construction, the FM-U12 is perfect for critical splices in underground or roadway conduit networks. The large capacity accepts up to 144 fibers.
FM-D06 Wall Mount Box
This wall-mount box is sized for fiber management inside buildings and huts. The convenient cable access and modularity make it easy to add network connections on-site.
FM-R48 Handhole Closure
Designed for roadways and intersections, this large handhole box provides below-grade access to mass fiber splicing and management. It allows major fiber optic trunk lines to be conveniently spliced.
By offering this diverse range of closure designs, Fibermint provides solutions for nearly any splice box application requirement. Their products make fiber network expansion and maintenance highly efficient.
Fibermint Quality and Customization
Fibermint utilizes advanced manufacturing and rigorous quality control to ensure top-tier splice box performance:
Fibermint also offers customization services:
This blend of stringent quality control and customization allows Fibermint to deliver splice boxes perfectly suited to the project.
Conclusion
Fibermint's full range of fiber optic splice box products provide rugged and reliable protection for fiber optic splicing in virtually any network environment. Their solutions consolidate and organize splice points while keeping splices accessible for maintenance. Following best practices for installing and maintaining these boxes ensures optimal optical performance, mechanical integrity and environmental sealing over years of service. With its diverse catalog of over 50 closures, plus customization abilities, Fibermint is a premier supplier of splice boxes for smooth network expansions and upgrades. Their continued innovation will help support the growth of high-speed global fiber optic infrastructure.