Changes

* Before fusing any fibers, test the action of the splicer to make sure the top ferrule comes down smoothly and gently to meet the bottom ferrule and rises in a similar way. To do this, put a small piece of scrap fiber and a piece of sponge gasket on the bottom clamp to keep the top and bottom clamps and ferrules separated during the test. Press the "START" button on the right and watch how the top ferrule comes down toward the bottom one. The scrap fiber and sponge gasket between the clamps will prevent the ferrules from slamming together in case the top one comes down too fast. If the top ferrule slams into the bottom ferrule, cracks will develop in the ferrules, allowing liquid to seep out and create irregularities in the fused fiber. If there are problems with the movement of the top ferrule, the splicer needs to be fixed before you fuse any fibers.

* Before fusing any fibers, test the action of the splicer to make sure the top ferrule comes down smoothly and gently to meet the bottom ferrule and rises in a similar way. To do this, put a small piece of scrap fiber and a piece of sponge gasket on the bottom clamp to keep the top and bottom clamps and ferrules separated during the test. Press the "START" button on the right and watch how the top ferrule comes down toward the bottom one. The scrap fiber and sponge gasket between the clamps will prevent the ferrules from slamming together in case the top one comes down too fast. If the top ferrule slams into the bottom ferrule, cracks will develop in the ferrules, allowing liquid to seep out and create irregularities in the fused fiber. If there are problems with the movement of the top ferrule, the splicer needs to be fixed before you fuse any fibers.

Once the top ferrule has come down all the way, lower the screen to protect your eyes from the heating light. It should come on and shine, then shut off, and the cooling fan will turn on as the timers and relays dictate. After the light has turned off, you can raise the protective screen. When cooling is done, watch how the top ferrule rises. If there are any problems with this process, do not fuse any fibers until the splicer is fixed.

* Once the top ferrule has come down all the way, lower the screen to protect your eyes from the heating light. It should come on and shine, then shut off, and the cooling fan will turn on as the timers and relays dictate. After the light has turned off, you can raise the protective screen. When cooling is done, watch how the top ferrule rises. If there are any problems with this process, do not fuse any fibers until the splicer is fixed.

[[File:splicing pressure gauges.JPG|thumb|center|The left gauge displays pressure applied horizontally at the fuse site, and the right one displays the vertical pressure holding the ferrules clamped together.]]

[[File:splicing pressure gauges.JPG|thumb|center|The left gauge displays pressure applied horizontally at the fuse site, and the right one displays the vertical pressure holding the ferrules clamped together.]]