Abstract: A method of forming a fusion splice between two optical ribbon cables, which comprises: (i) positioning end portions of the ribbon cables to be spliced in line with one another, and separated from one another by a pre-determined distance; (ii) firing a preparation arc across the ends of the ribbon cables of sufficient energy to soften the ends of the optical fibres forming the ribbon cables and to cause the end of any fibre or fibres (if any) that is/are the most prominent to retract; (iii) firing a fusion arc across the ends of the ribbon cables after a defined period of time following termination of the preparation arc to fuse the ends of the fibres; and (iv) simultaneously with, or subsequent to the fusion arc, moving the ribbon cables toward one another into contact, thereby to effect a fusion splice between the ribbon cables.

Abstract: Simple and inexpensive optical fibre splicing apparatus comprises a splicing station comprising a fibre support table and a pair of electrodes; high voltage circuitry for striking an arc; clamp assemblies at opposite ends of the table for holding end parts of aligned fibres on the table with their end faces spaced a predetermined distance apart between the electrodes, a part of at least one of the clamp assemblies being constrained to move towards and away from the other; mechanical means for controlling movement of the part of the movable clamp assembly; and a firing button for actuating the high voltage circuitry and mechanical control means. Preferably, a low voltage power source is housed in a casing separately formed with respect to the casing of the splicing station and is connected to the high voltage circuitry of the splicing station by a flexible cable.