Unpopular opinion: fiber fusion splices beat mechanical connectors 9 times out of 10

I did a 48-strand termination job last Tuesday in an office building downtown, used mechanical connectors on half and fusion spliced the other half. The mechanicals had three failures from day one, while the fusion splices all passed with 0.1dB loss or less. Has anyone else switched over entirely or am I just unlucky with those push-click connectors?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbara_baker572d agoMost Upvoted

I used to swear by mechanical connectors until a job at 1426 Maple Street forced me to switch. I had a 24 strand run where 5 mechanicals failed the OTDR test, and I had to re-terminate all of them on a ladder in the ceiling. With a fusion splicer I can do the whole thing from the floor and never worry about dust or bad crimps. @west.henry I get why you tossed those connectors but for quick patch jobs in clean rooms I still grab the push-clicks, they save me time when I know the environment is spotless.

west.henry3d ago

Tossed those mechanical connectors in the trash after a similar job last month. Had four bad splices out of a 12 strand run, all with losses pushing 0.5dB or worse. Fusion splicer paid for itself in a single day of not having to redo work. Your experience tracks with mine pretty closely.