The feasibility of a space constrained, explosion proof fusion splicer for use in aeronautical, shipboard, petrochemical, and other extreme environments

In the past few years, as fiber to the home has become a reality, many companies have made an effort to design, manufacture, and sell a fusion splicer that is both small and lightweight. Size and weight are critical because fiber to the home requires splicing in hard-to-reach places. The marketplace now has several brands of micro fusion splicers. Some of these splicers include features previously found only in their larger more expensive counterparts. Although these splicers do not completely address the space constraints and environmental conditions for this particular application, they do provide a world-proven, highly reliable baseline from which to start. In this paper, the author discussed the feasibility of a space constrained, explosion proof fusion splicer for use in aeronautical, shipboard, petrochemical, and other extreme environments.