ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Optical splice

Optical splice is like joining two pieces of spaghetti without breaking them. When you want to join two strands of spaghetti, you first line them up side by side. Then, you twist them together gently so that they become one long strand. This is similar to what happens during an optical splice.

In the world of telecommunications, optical fibers are like the spaghetti. They are long, thin, and made of glass or plastic. These fibers are used to transmit information over long distances through light. When two fibers need to be connected, an optical splice is done to join them together.

To perform an optical splice, first, the protective coating on the ends of the fibers is removed. Then, the two fibers are aligned so that they are directly facing each other. Next, they are fused together using heat, creating a strong bond that allows the light to pass through.

Once the splice is complete, the fibers are still thin and fragile, like a strand of spaghetti. To protect them, they are usually placed inside a protective sleeve or tube. This helps to prevent damage during installation and use.

In summary, an optical splice is like joining two pieces of spaghetti without breaking them. It creates a strong connection between two optical fibers, allowing information to be transmitted through light. The fibers are protected with a sleeve or tube to prevent damage.
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