Fujikura FSM-50S, Instruction Manual

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Splice Menu
ECF splice
When fibers having some core concentricity-error are aligned using the core-to-core
method, their outer claddings are not aligned in line with each other as shown below.
However, surface tension created during arc discharge aligns the fibers
cladding-to-cladding due to the viscous self-centering effect. This results in a high
splice loss due to the fact that the cores of the fibers are offset during the process.
The ECF (Eccentricity Correct Function) function in the splicer prevents this from
happening. The amount of offset expected due to this surface tension phenomenon is
calculated in advance, and this is taken into account to determine an intentional core
axis offset amount that is added after the fiber cores are aligned. With this function, the
fibers are core-to-core spliced even with the effect mentioned above. Some “Core step”
may remain at splice point but this gives much lower splice loss than core axial offset.
A long arc discharge counteracts ECF, because surface tension eventually aligns and
splices fibers cladding-to-cladding. Canceling [ECF] by setting this "OFF" reduces
core step amount and increases core axial offset.
ECF OFF
ECF ON