May 14, 2025
To kick off a series of blogs featuring Sumitomo Electric Lightwave's in-house fusion splice technicians and development team, Vernon Yow, senior national sales director, answers five questions about fusion splicing in today's networks.
Vernon has been in the industry since 1986 and started with SEL in 2003.
1. As we begin this series about fusion splicing, can you explain the technology’s role in networks?
First, in my nearly 40 years in the industry, I have seen an incredible evolution in connectivity products and in networks themselves.
Whether for wireless or data centers or fiber to the home applications, we are living in a time of growing bandwidth demand that is driving fiber counts up and cable/connectivity footprints down. Manufacturers offer an array of termination products today that I never envisioned at the beginning of my career. From mechanical and fusion splicing technologies to pre-connectorized solutions, every method has its role depending on a specific project’s variables.
Fusion splicing requires the most highly skilled labor and specialized equipment, so not surprisingly it is the strongest, most reliable termination method and yields lower attenuation loss. It always has and always will play an important role in networks, both for new builds (construction) and repairs.
2. You have witnessed an evolution in networks and connectivity products, what about in fusion splicing equipment?
The machines are evolving right along with networks. Today’s fusion splicing innovations simultaneously improve performance while addressing emerging optical fiber developments.
We are also improving the technician experience through innovation. There have been impactful changes that make fusion splicers lighter, more compact, and user friendly, meaning they are easier to transport and use than previous iterations.
3. Is there one specific machine or certain features that customers tend to prefer?
Equipment selection is more personal than one size fits all. When I talk to customers about selecting new equipment, much of the conversation centers on the particularities of their business and the projects they bid on. Some jobs may require a more sophisticated machine; others could be accomplished with a less sophisticated one that weighs and costs less.
Budget is always part of the equation. We have customers who rent our splicers for multiple years because their business model supports a rental better than carrying a capital expense.
Time is money too, so the features that save installation time and extend equipment life are incredibly valuable. For ribbon splicing, we offer platforms that enable customers to swap out 250um or 200um V-grooves on-site instead of needing a new machine.
I also hear great feedback about our cleavers. They all work reliability – no battery or Bluetooth link needed – and they come standard with an auto-rotating feature that maximizes blade life.
Often, we will lend customers a demo machine so they can try equipment out on an upcoming job. The machines prove themselves; many of our demo customers become repeat customers.
4. What does SEL recommend for a maintenance schedule for fusion splicing equipment?
None! To achieve consistent and reliable splices, all we recommend is that technicians start each day of work with an arc test. This test is how the equipment self-calibrates for the project site’s specific temperature and humidity conditions, and since it is important for optimizing splice quality, SEL has made it easy to incorporate arc testing into technicians’ workflow.
Software upgrades to our machines take place in the field, too, so there is no need to take equipment out of commission for any regular maintenance. SEL’s service centers are set up well to accommodate any customers who want to send their equipment in, but most customers report that our fusion splicing machines do what they need their equipment to do: turn on and work.
5. If there ever is a problem with a customer’s equipment, how does SEL respond?
Our customers call 1-888-SPLICER, and we either troubleshoot the issue over the phone or send a loaner to them overnight. Our fusion splicing equipment meets the industry’s highest technical specifications, and we stand behind it with a loaner program to ensure that our customers never have to wait for machines to be repaired.
You will hear about some of the more technical aspects of fusion splicing in upcoming blog posts contributed by other members of the Fusion Splicing Team at Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. If you have any questions in the meantime or would like to learn more about any of the topics, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.