EasySplicer mk2 User manual

EasySplicer
EasySplicerEasySplicer
EasySplicer
MK
MKMK
MK2
22
2
USERS MANUAL
1

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Disclaimer........................................................................................................................................3
Application.......................................................................................................................................3
EasySplicer mk2 components..........................................................................................................3
Basics...............................................................................................................................................4
Quick Start! ...................................................................................................................................4
Turn on the EasySplicer mk2...........................................................................................................4
Start with a Calibration!...................................................................................................................4
Singlemode or Multimode? ............................................................................................................4
Doing the Calibration!.....................................................................................................................5
Time to splice!.................................................................................................................................5
Oven operation – sleeve protection!................................................................................................6
Main menu.......................................................................................................................................7
Preparing the fibers and place them in the Fusion splicer !...........................................................13
Don´t forget the protective sleeve!................................................................................................13
Stripping the fiber..........................................................................................................................13
Cleaning the fiber...........................................................................................................................14
Cleaving the fiber...........................................................................................................................14
Place the cleaved and ready fibers in the splicer...........................................................................15
Splicing..........................................................................................................................................17
Cleaning the v-groove of the fusion splicer...................................................................................17
Cleaning the electrodes..................................................................................................................18
Oven maintenance..........................................................................................................................19
Changing and adjusting the electrodes..........................................................................................20
Error messages and how to resolve:..............................................................................................23
Technical specification:.................................................................................................................24
2

Introduction
The EasySplicer mk2 incorporates all the best a “Made in Sweden” Fusion splicer can
offer.
NOTE: EasySplicer mk2 is a high precision instrument and should always be handled with
care!
Disclaimer
SB Scandinavia AB reserves the right to modify the product in any way without prior
customer notification or any other form of notice.
In no event, shall SB Scandinavia AB be liable for any damages of any type, incidental,
indirect, consequential or other, originating from or relating to this manual or the
information contained herein. While SB Scandinavia AB tries to make the user manual
complete and accurate, it may contain mistakes, and the user uses it solely at his or her
own risk.
Application
Splicing and protection of most common types of SMF and MMF.
EasySplicer mk2 components
The following components are included and standard for splicing in the field:
Item Description Quantity
1 EasySplicer mk2 1
2 Power supply 1
3 Fiber cleaver 1
4 Fiber holders 250μm (black) 1 pair
5 Fiber holders 900μm (blue) 1 pair
6 Fiber holders Loose tube (red) 1 pair
7 Stripper 1
8 Carrying bag 1
3

Basics
NOTE: The EasySplicer mk2 is a rugged field instrument designed to withstand field
environment. However, to ensure best performance, it is important to keep maintenance as
described later in this manual.
Quick Start!
Turn on the EasySplicer mk2
If available, connect the splicer to a power source.
- The splicer will also start automatically if the power-supply is connected. Simply press
any button to leave charging-mode.
* Make sure that that unit is properly charged if operated by the internal battery-pack.
Charge the unit at least 6-8 hours before using it the first time.
- Turn on the EasySplicer mk2 by pressing down the “ON”-button (large button
below the display).
The splicer starts in “ready-mode” after a few seconds.
* Before beginning to splice it is important to verify that the electrodes are in good
(operational) condition. The electrodes are quite easily oxidized due to
environmental conditions (like dirt in the air and/or moisture). The splicer has
probably been stored for a while and lately in transport.
Such oxide can be cleaned (burned off) by using the “CLEAN ELECTRODES”
function (see also page 21).
Start with a Calibration!
Begin all work with a “Calibrate”. This is needed to adapt the splicer to its present
environment (adapt to temperature, moisture etc.).
Singlemode or Multimode ?
It´s very important to setup the correct fiber-type in the splicer before doing the
calibration. For ex. Select Singlemode fiber in the “Menu” if You are using a
Singlemode fiber.
- Press the “Menu-button”. Step with the “down-arrow” to “SETUP” and select it by
pressing the large button (SELECT).
- Step with the “down-arrow” to “FIBER TYPE” and select it.
- Chose SINGLEMODE, MULTIMODE or OM1 fiber-type.
4

Doing the Calibration!
- Strip one fiber which You are about to splice (strip it some 5-6cm).
- Clean the fiber with alcohol, isopropyl or similar. Make sure not to touch the
fiber with anything after cleaning as it will become dirty.
Place the stripped and cleaned fiber across the v-groove (see picture below).
You can see how the calibration should be done in our Video to be found at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0
Having placed the fiber in the v-groove enter the “Menu” again and step with “down-arrow”
to CALIBRATE.
Select it (large button) and the splicer will perform a calibration.
This is seen on the display as the splicer will ignite the spark and shine through the fiber
with various strength.
The operation is finished after some 5 seconds and the display will show “OK” if the
Calibration was done properly.
If not, the display will show the text: “CALIBRATE AGAIN”.
Time to splice!
• Place fiber in the fiber holders (250 fibers in the black holders and 900
fibers/pigtails in the blue holders). The fiber should “stick-out” some 3-4cm.
- Don´t forget to put on a shrink-tube (sleeve) over one of the fiber-ends before You start!
5

Strip and clean the fiber.
• Cleave the fiber.
• Place the fiber holders in the splicer. Push down the bracket which holds the fibers
in place in the v-groove
• See the operation of the above at page 13-15 and/or watch our Video at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0
• If needed, press “RESET”.
The fiber ends should be seen in the display, a bit like this when ready for splicing:
• Press the “SPLICE”-button (large button). The fibers will move together and spliced.
The whole process will be shown in the display and take less than 10 sec.
An automatic pull-test will be performed after the splicing.
• Finally, the splicer will show the estimated splice loss (in dB and in green color) or, if
the process failed, “Bad splice” (if so, re-do the operation from “strip and cleave”
above).
Oven operation – sleeve protection!
• Open up the oven (with the little arm on the left hand side of the oven).
• Lift up the bracket over the v-groove and then open up both fiber-holders.
• Push the shrink-tube over the spliced part and place the fiber/tube in the center of
the oven. Lock the fiber (and close the oven-lid) with the oven-arm.
• Start the oven by pressing the “OVEN”-button. The oven is preset for a 45sek
operation but can be set in many combinations (see in the Menu-system).
• The splicer is ready for another splice while the oven is in operation (start from
above again). Press “RESET” if the oven-operation is not needed.
6

Main menu
Step up/down with the small buttons (UP/DOWN). Select Your choice with the
SELECT-button.
EXIT
Exit from this Menu (back to Splice-mode).
CLEAN ELECTRODES
Run the “CLEAN ELECTRODES”-program to remove dirt/oxide on the
electrodes.
Running this program will ignite an extra powerful spark which will burn
the electrodes clean.
The “CLEAN ELECTRODES” will also be shown automatically in the display
every 10 splices.
Run the program several times (1-3 times) for best result.
But not more than 5 times in a row. Then the splicer needs to cool for a
couple of minutes. If 5 times is not enough the problem is elsewhere.
CALIBRATE
This function shall be used often for automatic environmental
compensation.
This should be done every time the environment changes, for ex. when
starting a new workday, when coming back after lunch, when changing
the type of fiber cable to use.
Performing a Calibration:
- Strip one fiber which You are about to splice (strip it some 5-6cm).
- Clean the fiber with alcohol, isopropyl or similar. Make sure not to touch
the fiber with anything after cleaning as it will become dirty.
7

Place the stripped and cleaned fiber across the v-groove (see picture below).
You can see how it is performed in our VIDEO to be found at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0
Having placed the fiber in the v-groove enter the “Menu” again and step with “down-arrow”
to CALIBRATE.
Select it (large button) and the splicer will perform a calibration.
If AUTO MODE is selected the calibration will start automatically when the lid is closed and
the splicer sees the fiber going all the way.
This is seen on the display as the splicer will ignite the spark and shine through the fiber
with various strength.
The operation is finished after some 10 seconds and the display will show “OK” if the
Calibration was done properly.
If not, the display will show the text: “CALIBRATE AGAIN”.
* The splicer will adjust to the performed calibration with small steps
at every splice but when changing environment this calibration will
be needed (as the Calibration function compensate with many steps
up/down if necessary).
TURN OVEN ON
Use this function to manually run the oven program. Normally, when a
splice is done the oven program will be executed automatically (see
above “Oven operation” page 6).
But under some circumstances You might want to operate the oven
manually.
If so, place a fiber with a shrink-tube (sleeve) in the oven compartment
and press the OVEN-button. The oven will start and run for as long as
the oven time is set (factory preset is 45 sec.)
Change time under “SETUP” and “Oven” below.
8

SETUP
Takes You to the next sub-level where the following functions can be
adjusted (see section below):
* FI ERTYPE
* SET CLOCK
* OVEN
* LANGUAGE
* FI ER POSITION
* ELECTRODES
* DISPLAY
* AUTO MODE
* STARTUP CLEAN
* SPLICE PAUSE
* CALI VISI LE/CALI NOT VISI LE
INFO
Shows miscellaneous information of the splicer, like firmware version and
number of total splices.
LANGUAGE
Set the language by stepping up/down with the small buttons.
Press the large button (SELECT) for choosing a new language (or go to the
top and select EXIT).
SETUP MENU.
EXIT
Exit menu.
FIBER TYPE
Select the correct fiber-type You are about to splice:
•SINGLEMODE
•MULTIMODE
•OM1
9

SET CLOCK
Set the internal clock by stepping up/down with the small buttons.
Save value and move to the next line by pressing the large button
(MOVE). Select EXIT for leaving this function.
UP
Changes selected items up one step.
DOWN
Changes selected items down one step.
MOVE
Steps to next item.
OVEN
Set the oven time by stepping up/down with the small buttons.
Press the large button (SELECT) for choosing a new value (or go to the
top and select EXIT).
LANGUAGE
Set the language by stepping up/down with the small buttons.
Press the large button (SELECT) for choosing a new language (or go to the
top and select EXIT).
FIBER POSITION
Calibrate fiber position when replacing cleaver (and/or if the fibers -for
any reason- are not in the correct position when being placed in the V-
grove).
- Put fibers in their holders and place them in the splicer before starting.
Start automatic calibration of fiber zero point setting by pressing the
large button (SELECT).
10

The numbers shown at the top of display (in this picture 528 and 552) shows
the motor positions. This position should be between 500 and 750. If not then
the small screws in the wagons needs to be adjusted with an 0.9mm Allen
key. This can happen if the cleaver is changed. To make this easier to adjust
You can select CENTER MOTORS. Motors will then be positioned at 500 and
two green squares is shown. The screws should be adjusted so that the
fibers are as long as the green box or slightly longer. After this adjustment do
a CAL. FIBER POS to let the splicer adjust to the new position and then
verify that the motor positions are between 500 and 750.
If the fibers are visible and in the correct position like in the picture
below then this new position shall be saved.
Save by pressing the large button (SELECT).
ELECTRODES
ADJUST
Automatic guide for adjustment of the electrodes. Please see: Changing
and adjusting the electrodes below.
ELEC. CHANGED
Use this function to reset the splice-counter when the electrodes have
been replaced. The electrodes are made to last some 4500-5000 splices.
11

DISPLAY
ONLY IN ENGLISH VERSION !!!
- This function, when enabled, will show all Menus with a larger font.
AUTO MODE
If selected, the splicer will automatically start a splice or a calibrate when the
lid is closed if it detects fiber(s) in valid positions.
STARTUP CLEAN
If selected, the splicer will do a clean electrodes every time the splicer is
turned on if the lid is closed and there are no fibers in the camera view.
SPLICE PAUSE
If selected, the splicer will pause and wait for a button to be pressed,
when the fibers are in position for splicing.
CALIB VISIBLE/CALIB NOT VISIBLE
Select if the calibration process is to be displayed or if an hourglass is
showed during calibration.
12

Preparing the fibers and place them in the Fusion splicer !
Often, incorrect handling or preparation causes splice loss. It is crucial to keep tools and fiber
clean; the invested time used in fiber and tool handling is more than compensated for in reduced
troubleshooting effort.
Don´t forget the protective sleeve!
Before preparing the fiber for splicing, make sure to put the protective sleeve in place.
Place fiber in the fiber holders
Place 250 fiber in the black holders ,900 fiber/pigtail in the blue holders and the 900
loose coat/loose tube in the red holders.The fiber should “stick-out” some 3-4cm (as seen
in the pictures).
Stripping the fiber
Hold the stripping tool to the edge of the fiber holder. Press the handles together and pull
firmly away from the fiber holder to remove the coating (take away some 5-10cm).
13

Cleaning the fiber
Use a pair of tweezers equipped with cotton buds (or a similar tool) soaked
with alcohol, isopropyl or similar.
Press the tweezers together and clean the fiber with by moving the tweezers
from the fiber holder towards the end of the fiber. Repeat, but rotate the
tweezers. A “squeaking” sound indicates that the fiber is clean
Cleaving the fiber
Lift the lid of the cleaver and position the fiber holder in the cleaver. Insert the fiber holder
from above, a little from the right-hand side and let in slide back down into position (where
the magnets will lock it). The fiber holder must be placed tightly towards its inner position,
as far to the right as possible (check by pressing it gently). Magnets will move it in place.
See picture below.
14

Close the lid of the cleaver and push the sliding part away from you.
The fiber will be cut off (cleaved) and get a very straight 90´ angle
Lift the fiber holder in order to prevent the fiber from getting dirty.
Place the cleaved and ready fibers in the splicer
Open the main lid (on top) of the splicer and lift up the little bracket on top of the v-groove.
Place the fiber holders in their wagons.
- Keep the fiber holder at an angle and move it pass its intended resting place
Lay the holder down and let it slide back into position (where the magnets will lock it).
Don´t try to push them in place from the outer position as it will be very hard to make the
fiber fall in place into the v-groove. See picture below and our videos at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0
15

Close the bracket over the v-groove and lock the fibers in position
Close the main lid.
The fiber should now be visible in the monitor like this:
16

Splicing
Select the proper splice program in the menu (Singlemode- Multimode- or OM1- fiber).
- Make sure a reset has been performed since last splice.
- Make sure that the fibers/ v-groove are clean (if not, see page 13 and 20).
Are the fibers properly aligned (if not, see page 20 below)?
If both fibers look good and clean, Press the SPLICE button and the automatic splice-
procedure will take place (moving the fibers together, igniting the spark, melting the glass
together, make a pull test and estimate a loss value).
If AUTO MODE is selected the splice will start automatically when the lid is closed and the
splicer sees that the fibers are ready to splice.
If estimated loss is larger than 0.1dB the splice is bad and has to be re-spliced.
Cleaning the v-groove of the fusion splicer
The function of the high precision surface of the v-groove is very sensitive and must be
kept 100% clean.
It´s quite easy to contaminate it with dirt so cleaning/maintenance should be done on a
regular basis.
Whenever there is a consistent problem with fiber offset (display showing OFFSET
ERROR) then there is most certainly dirt in the v-groove which You must get rid off.
To clean the v-groove proceed as follows:
Put fibers in the fiber holders, strip clean and cleave them both.
Put them into place in the splicer (like above, page 16) so You see both fiberends in the
display.
17

Gently slide the fiber holders back and forth in the v-groove quite many times.
You can see how it’s done at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0
The fiber ends are so sharp that they will cut the v-groove clean from any dirt which might
have fallen into it.
Most likely You will see some very small items (dirt) which will attach to the fiber during this
procedure (see dirt on the fiber ends in the picture below).
After finishing don´t use these fiber ends for splicing (as they are worn down).
- Strip, clean, cleave new fibers when ready.
Apart from the method above You can also clean the V-groove with a cotton bud with
alcohol/isopropyl. A combination of both methods should be used. First use alcohol to
loosen up the dirt and then scrape the v-groove with a newly cleaved fiber.
Cleaning the electrodes
The electrodes of the splicer are sensitive and can get a bit oxidized due to moisture, dirt
etc. in the air.
Therefor we recommend that the user always clean the electrodes before starting a new
work (before performing a Calibrate). The function is found in the Menu-system; CLEAN
ELECTRODES, and it can be run some 2-4 times if the electrodes are very dirty.
The EasySplicer will also, every 10
th
splice, ask the user to clean the electrodes. This is
suggested only as a precaution but running the CLEAN ELECTRODES function will keep
the splicer fresh and free from problems.
18

- Under some circumstances, it might be that the electrodes get so oxidized that the
CLEAN ELECTRODES function won’t be able to fully burn off the oxidation and the
problems remain. If so, take for ex a sharp carpet knife or razor-blade and scratch gently
on the surface of the electrodes (on the tips). See picture below and our video at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t1bwwrk0i9str6a/AAAKnje_Mvc-_SeXVUH1v0Jva?dl=0#
Oven maintenance
The oven has a layer of Teflon so it is non stick. But it should be kept clean with a cotton
bud and a small amount of alcohol. See below.
19

Changing and adjusting the electrodes
STEP 1.
Upper electrode.
Use a small flat screwdriver to lift the electrode lock (the circular brass
part).
While lifted use a pincer to carefully remove the old electrode. No
strength is required, be careful.
Keep the lock lifted with the screwdriver and insert the new electrode.
Lower electrode.
Loosen the two screws to loosen the electrode lock.
Replace the electrode with a pincer.
20