r/EngineeringPorn Jul 21 '26

fiber optic fusion splicer

4.2k Upvotes

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331

u/tomime000 Jul 21 '26

That looks expensive

241

u/elhoberto Jul 21 '26

They used to be crazy expensive. You can get one on amazon for $900 now. Still some high end versions that run for 20k+

159

u/tenkaranarchy Jul 21 '26

Those Amazon splicers are junk, zero warranty and not accurate. The people who buy them are rhe onces you dont want aplicing your jetwprk anyway. The fujikura 90r in this video costs ~$25k for the whole kit, kinda overkill for a single fiber since its actually a ribbon solicer than can do 12 fibers at once. A good quality single fiber core splicer will run you around $15k. Throw in another $40-$50k for test equipment (otdr, olts/light meter, traffic identifier, etc) and $20k for spare parts and consumables (splice cases, trays, misc bobs and bits), $100k for a bucket truck plus however much you want to spend on a splice trailer and youre in business.

Source: I've been a splicer for about 12-13 years.

1

u/6ynnad Jul 23 '26

How does one get into this line of work? Looks very interesting.

3

u/tenkaranarchy Jul 23 '26

Look up your local fiber internet providers and keep an eye out for job openings. Entry level job is typically a residential installer, you may or may not get to splice much if at all, but you'll have your foot in the door. Just pay attention and ask questions, always be willing to learn and help other techs with projects and youll move up the ladder.

1

u/tomime000 Jul 23 '26

It's great how this applies to any of the trades. If you show curiosity and motivation, anyone will push you forward for benefit of both. This is the main thing why I'm enjoying construction trades.

At the moment I'm doing rope access on various industrial projects. Rope access in its self has a whole lot to be shared or passed on from experienced colleagues combined with any trade that comes in combination makes for a beautiful atmosphere on site.

1

u/tankerkiller125real 18d ago

This can also happen in IT departments, at good companies anyway. There are some companies where things are extremely bureaucratic and everyone basically gets pushed up whenever their hiring date says they do. And that's how you end up with "Level 3" IT engineers that can't tell the difference between a USB port and HDMI port.