Common Mistakes
Most splice problems aren't mysterious — they trace back to a handful of repeatable mistakes. Recognize them so you can stop them before they cost you a callback.
Dirty fiber
Even invisible dust scatters light. Always clean the bare fiber right before cleaving — not five minutes earlier.
Lazy cleaning
Reusing wipes, dipping into open alcohol bottles, or skipping the wipe because 'it looks clean' all contaminate the end face.
Worn cleaver blade
A dull or misaligned cleaver leaves chipped or angled ends. Rotate or replace the blade on the schedule your manufacturer recommends.
Contaminated equipment
V-grooves, electrodes, and clamps pick up coating dust and fiber shards. A dirty splicer cannot produce clean splices.
Rushing the work
Splicing rewards patience. Trying to chase numbers on the truck count is how 0.03 dB splices turn into 0.4 dB splices.
Improper handling
Touching bare fiber with bare fingers, dragging end faces across surfaces, or bending past minimum radius will all show up at the splicer.
Side-by-side: clean vs contaminated splice
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