Abstract: Composite apparatus for preparing and positioning tails of two optical fibers for fusion splicing and for effecting a fusion splice between prepared and appropriately positioned tails comprises optical fiber cleaving apparatus mechanically controlled fusion splicing apparatus optical fiber holding devices and associated transfer arms and a low voltage power source, the cleaving and splicing apparatus, holding devices and associated transfer arms being housed in a casing and the low voltage power source being housed in a casing which is separately formed with respect to the casing. The low voltage power source is electrically connected to the high voltage circuitry of the splicing apparatus by a flexible electric cable.