Can I buy Sumitomo Electric products during my visit in Japan?
Yes technically you can, but we do not recommend this.
The service support is only available in Japan. Also, you need to make an export /import a custom clearance procedure and make a necessary action to comply trade control laws in Japan when you bring the machine outside of Japan.
How can I buy genuine Sumitomo Electric products?
You can purchase them from Sumitomo Electric sales offices or authroised distributors in your area.
Please find our sales office or distributors near your place from contact us.
Apart from splicers, what kind of products does Sumitomo Electric have?
Please reset arc count only when electrodes are replaced. Otherwise, proper electrodes change timing will be known correctly.
What parameters can I change from default settings? How can I change?
Typically, you can change followings -splicing programs -heater programs -function settings
For more details, please view "Functions" in your operation manual.
Can I add or change a language?
You can change the language from installed languages in your machine. Unfortunately, you can not add new languages.
Can I splice loose buffer fiber?
Yes, you need to use an universal clamp which comes with TYPE-72C/82C.
Can I splice G.652 fiber to G.657 fiber?
Yes, you can.
Sometimes it may be necessary to adjust your splice program and to do the arc test.
I have accidentally used a wrong heater program for my sleeve type. What should I do?
Unless you see non usual outlook on fiber sleeve such as bubbles or unshrunk status in the sleeves, there is no problem and you do not need to re-splice.
What is an appropriate cleave length?
We recommend to strip the fiber coating for approx. 30-40mm.
Please view our Stripping the fiber coating page for more dertails.
Can I use the splicer continuously for long hours?
There is no problem for long hours usage.
We recommend to operate with AC power.
Can I use other manufacturers fiber holders with Sumitomo Electric splicers?
It may or may not be useable, however once you use them, the machine will be out of warranty.
What if I make a splice in a higher or lower temperature than the one described in the specification.
Depending on the usage condition, it may affect splicing performance.
(E.g., Splicing failure, high splice loss)
When splicing MMF, there is a line at splicing point. Does this mean a bad splice?
Sometimes the line can be observed at the splice point because difference of refractive indices between fibers. As far as splicing loss is low enough and the fiber can pass tensile test, there is no problem in splicing and it is not necessary to resplice.
How can I make ATTN splicing? How can I adjust the ATTN?
Please choose ATTN splice mode from "Splice Program". In the splicing program, you can make attenuation setting.
What is the “Step” value shown in the Arc Power display?
"Step" shows the value to show how small/large the arc power is.
What is “dot” value shown in the Arc center display?
"Dot" shows the number of pixel for displaying the image.
I've stripped the coating of ribbon fiber using JR-6 but some coating residue remains on the fiber. What should I do?
Please check following points. -Are you holding "PUSH" portion firmly? -Blades need to be changed.
Fiber scrap has fallen into a cleaver (FC7,FC8). Will it cause damage to the cleaver?
Depending on the location of fiber scrap, some problem may occur in fiber cleaver. In case of problems, we recommend to contact our sales office near your place. You can find them from contact us.
A high loss is measured by OTDR. Why?
We recommend to check following steps. 1. Measure wavelengths at 1310nm and 1550nm by OTDR to identify the cause of the problem.If the loss is high both at 1310nm and 1550nm, there may be a problem at splicing part.If the loss is low at 1310nm, but the loss is high at 1550nm, there may be stressed part at optical fiber when you store the fiber in the box/closure. Fiber can be stressed by twisting, bending and pressure.Check and improve fiber storage part. 2. Check if the setting for marker is correct or not in OTDR. 3. Check if you are making bi-directional measurement.
The splicer shows a good estimated loss but OTDR and power meter measurement show a high loss. What should I do?
We recommend to check following steps. 1. Measure wavelengths at 1310nm and 1550nm by OTDR to identify the cause of the problem.If the loss is high both at 1310nm and 1550nm, there may be a problem at splicing part.If the loss is low at 1310nm, but the loss is high at 1550nm, there may be stressed part at optical fiber when you store the fiber in the box/closure. fiber can be stressed by twisting, bending and pressure. Check and improve fiber storage part. 2. Check if the setting for marker is correct or not in OTDR. 3. Check if you are making bi-directional measurement.
The splice shows a good extimated loss (est loss 0.00dB, image ok), but there is red light leaking from the splice point/sleeve when tested with Laser. Why?
There are possibilities one of followings occurs.
-the fiber is not accurately aligned. (actual loss is high)
-the laser light power is too strong.
-fiber is disconnected/ bended / twisted.
How do I ensure that my splicer makes a good splice?
We recommend to measure the actual loss by measuring equipment.
Can I take/download splice data from internal memmory
Yes, you can get the data from all the latest models except T-400S.
You can download the data to SD card in CSV format.
For more information, please read "Functions" in your operation manual.
Can I lock my splicer with security password?
Yes, you can lock the splicer via "Administrator mode".
For more information, please read "Administrator mode" in your operation manual.
What is the ideal environment for a fusion splicer storage?
If you do not use fusion splicer for long period(more than one month), we recommend to remove a battery pack from the splicer and store within "-20℃~+20℃" environment without dew condensation.
If I don’t use my splicer for a long time what kind of care we should make for my splicer?
We recommend to do following actions.
-Cleaning the splicer
-Remove battery pack (to prevent deterioration)
-Put silica gel inside a storage box (to prevent humidity)
Can I carry my machine to the field without the carrying case?
Yes.
Please pay attention to protect the splicer from excessive shock or impact.
How can I see help videos on the splicer?
If you tap "?" icon on a screen, you can see help videos.
You can also see videos from here.(Help Video)
Can I have a remote splicer inspection via internet?
Yes, your splicers can be remotely inspected via internet by using FSMA.
(Remote maintenance are not covered in some countries and regions.)
Can I use the splicer USB port to charge my mobile phone?
No.
USB port is only for PC connecting purpose.
What is the charging time for a battery unit.
General charging time is follows,
BU11:approximately 3 hours.
BU12:approximately 4 hours.
BU16:approximately 4 hours.
I have set "auto start" but the splicer still unable to start splice automatically when I close the windhood, why?
Check following points.
-"Auto start" is OFF.-->please turn on.
- Fiber cleave length may be too long. Please check the cleave length.
I want to lock some fuctions in the setting, how should I do it?
Yes, you can.
Lock functions varies depending on the machine type but following manus can be locked by administrator.
-splice program
-heater program
-sounds
*For more detailed information, please read "Administrator mode" in your operation manuals.
Can I restore all the setting back to factory default setting?
By tapping "Restore Data" in maintenance mode, all parameters except Arc count and All Count are returned to the factory settings.
Is there any problem if I charge my battery overnight?
No problem, you can charge the battery overnight.
How can I select sleeve length between 60mm and 40mm.
Sleeve length should be selected based on fiber cleave length and spec of closures/boxes.
How can I perform manual splcing
Change splice method to "Manual" in splice program(in Administrator mode).
*"Manual" can be chosen on TYPE-71C/81C, TYPE-72C/82C, and Z2C.
Will Quick mode (e.g., SMF Quick) peform good/better splicing?
No.
Quick mode splicing peformance is almost the same as Auto mode.
After splicing, I find the bubbles at fiber splicing point. What is the reason?
Possible causes are that the tip of fiber (cleaved intersection) is damaged or contamated. In either of cases, we recommend to cleaving fibers again.
What should I do, if my machine gets wet.
Dry the machine completely before the operation.
What should I do, if I can not start heater automataically.
Please check if "Auto start" is OFF.
I can hear the unusual noise from the mortor. What should I do?
Please contact our sales office near your place. You can find from Contact us.
Maintenance
Who should I contact to when I need a service support?
Please contact your nearest Sumitomo Electric sales office or distributor. You can find them from contact us in our website.
Why is it important to have a regular maintenance service?
As fusion splicers have many movable parts and proper fucntion in moveable parts enables high quality splcing perofrmance, fusion splicers require regular meintenance service. We recommend to have a regular maintenance once a year (at leased once every two or three years).
Where is a service center near my place?
Please find our sales office near your place from contact us in our website.
Can I have a service support outside the country where I purchased the machine.
No.
Sumitomo Electric does not provide service support to fusion splicers outside the country where the machine was purchased. For more information, please read Important notice.
What should I do for daily maintenance for fusion splicer?
Please view the movie on the left on FC-8R benefits page for your assistance.
When should I change the electrode?
Replacement timing depends on the machines.
(E.g., approx 5000 times for TYPE-72C/82C)
When the replacement timing comes, a warning message appears on the splicer screen.
How can I clean my fusion splicer and how often should I do?
I have replaced a blade with a new one but cleaving is still not good, what should I do?
Clean fiber and cleaver clamp because foreign objects may be on the fiber surface or the clamp.
Even after the cleaning, if cleaving performance is still not improved, please contact to our sales/maintenance center near you.
Can I use a gas spray to clean my machine?
No, this may cause irregular arc discharge, leading to fire or toxic gas. Also, contamination may occur inside splicers.
How can I clean rubber pads of splicer and claever?
No. If it is downgraded, splicing parameters will not be optimised and may cause poor splicing performance.
How often should I check for new splicer firmware update?
As we update the firmware non-regular basis, we recommend to update the firmware every few months. You can check the firmware renewal at our website.
Please view our Fusion Splicer Maintenance Application page for your assistance.