What Is a Fiber Optic Splice Tray? Definition, Capacity & Selection Guide

■ What Is a Fiber Optic Splice Tray?

Introduction

With the growth of FTTH, FTTx, and telecom fiber networks, the management of fiber optic splicing plays an increasingly important role in network reliability, performance, and maintainability.

Inside splice closures, cabinets, and distribution frames, dozens or even hundreds of fibers need to be managed in limited space. Without proper management, the fiber may be exposed to bending, mechanical damage, and mismanagement during maintenance.

This is where a fiber optic splice tray is so important: providing a serviceable, neat, and effective place for optical fiber junction.

■ Definition and Core Function

A fiber optic splice tray is a component of fiber optics management that is designed to securely and efficiently store and organize fiber fusion splice and slack fibers, installed inside fiber splicing closures, enclosures, and cabinets.

It is designed for installation inside:

• Fiber optic splice closures (dome or inline type)

• Optical Distribution Frames (ODF)

• Fiber distribution boxes (FDB)

• Wall mounted, free standing fiber cabinets

A good splice tray incorporates splice holder slots, routing space, and fixation points, allowing fibers to be stored in an orderly way, while respecting required fiber minimum bend radius.

■ Why Is a Splice Tray Important?

Splice trays may seem like a minor addition, however, their contribution to network optical performance, interface quality, and long-term reliability is undeniable.

Protects Fusion Splices

Fusion splices are inherently the most fragile points in a fiber optic link.

The splice tray securely holds connector heatshrink covers in place, protecting them from vibration, handling, and accidental stress during re-entry. This significantly helps to reduce micro-bending, splices attenuation, and damage during maintenance.

Maintains Minimum Bend Radius

One of the most important causes of loss in an optical fiber communication link is excessive bending.

Splice trays are specifically designed to contain smooth and round routing channels, allowing the installer to keep minimum bend radius intact for spliced single-mode fiber elements (G.652D, G.657A1/A2).

Improves Maintenance Efficiency

A good splice tray makes maintenance much easier:

• It provides clear and easy routes for tracing each fiber

• It allows to easily access splice trays during re-entry on stackable and hinged splice trays

• It leaves existing fibers undisturbed when adding new or removing old fiber connections

This is especially important for busy FTTH distribution points, where frequent subscriber connections and disconnections occur.

Material Durability and Safety

High-quality splice trays are usually made of durable ABS or Polycarbonate (PC) plastic material.

■ Typical Applications

Fiber optic splice trays are used in a variety of telecom and FTTH applications:

Fiber Optic Splice Closures

Installed inside dome or horizontal SLT closures, used to manage fiber splice in core, distribution, and access networks.

ODF and Cabinets

Installed in CO buildings, data rooms, and telecom cabinets, used to manage and organize telecom and FTTH network splice installation and distribution.

FTTH Access Networks

Installed in FTTH drop and distribution points, used to organize and manage splice of feeder and drop cables, with potential for network expansion enhancement.

■ Splice Tray Capacity Explained

Splice tray capacity determines the actual count of splices, which can be safely performed on a single splice tray without negative consequences on splice features and maintenance.

12-Splice Tray

• Suitable for low-density applications

• Easier maneuvers in confined spaces of closures

• Used in FTTH access points (splicing drop/fiber cable)

24-Splice Tray

• Most popular splice tray type

• Good balance between density and manageability

• Preferred choice for FTTH and distribution networks

48-Splice Tray

• High-density splice tray

• Achieved with stackable splice trays

• Used in high-capacity SLT closures

Ribbon Fiber and Mass Fusion Splice Trays

For maximum splicing density in data centers and core networks, mass fusion splice trays used for splicing flat ribbon fibers are available.

These trays allow convenient splicing of mass ribbon fibers, providing even higher splicing density and convenience compared to traditional single-fiber splicing.

■ How to Choose the Right Splice Tray

In order to choose the fiber optic splice tray which is the best match for your application, several factors should be considered:

Fiber Count

Current and future anticipated fiber connection count will affect splice tray type and capacity (stackable or standard).

Tray Size

The chosen tray size should not overcrowd the interior of splice closure, cabinet or ODF.

Splice Sleeve Length

Common heatshrink splice sleeve length: 40 mm, 45 mm, 60 mm.

The splice holder inside the splice tray should match the splice sleeve length.

Tray Structure: Stackable vs Hinged

• Stackable splice trays provide high density splicing for smaller installations.

• Hinged (flip) splice trays allow different trays to be individually accessed without disrupting others during re-entry.

Installation Environment

The installation environment and available space will affect tray size, material, and configuration.

■ Common Installation Mistakes

Splice tray may encounter performance issues even when all installation requirements are satisfied. Here are a few common mistakes:

• Exceed minimum bend radius for installed fiber

• Using unoptimized splice sleeve length for the application

• Overloading splice capacity

• Crossing installed fibers

• Not marking splice trays or fibers

■ Conclusion

Fiber optic splice trays are vital elements of modern FTTH and telecom networks.

Providing secure environment for fusions splice, the correct minimum bend radius and splice management, a splice tray makes a big difference in installation quality and maintenance.

Choosing a fiber optic splice tray ensures your long-term network reliability and maintainability.

If you are deploying a new fiber optic network or upgrading an existing one, you may find the right splice tray for your application by considering your fiber count, tray structure, and installation environment.

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