An optical fiber cable, also known as fiber optic cable, is an assembly similar to an electrical cable, but containing one or more optical fibers that are used to carry light. The optical fiber elements are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube suitable for the environment where the cable will be deployed.
Optical fiber fusion splicing, or fiber splicing, is the process of fusing two fiber optic cables together, usually by an electric arc. Fusion splicing is the most widely used method of splicing because it provides the lowest loss and least reflectance, as well as providing the strongest and most reliable connection between two fiber optic cables. Fusion splices play a crucial role in todays optical networks. The goal of fusion splicing is to create a connection with minimum insertion loss, and a mechanical strength and longevity that matches the fiber itself.