Electrode correct understanding and maintenance guide

The electrode rod is the core component of the optical fiber fusion splicer. In daily work, I believe everyone will be confused. Why does the electrode rod "black" or "white" after a period of fusion splicing? The following editor will answer for you why there is such a phenomenon.

The electrode rod is a kind of tungsten steel product, mainly used for high-voltage discharge. When exposed to the air for a long time, it will form black oxides under the influence of dust, water molecules and oxygen. At the same time, it is easy to cut the light during the high-temperature and high-pressure discharge process. The generated quartz ions melt and adhere to the electrode rod, forming a white attachment, which directly affects the subsequent welding.

Let us first understand the aging process of the electrode rod. The electrode rod is similar to a sharp needle with the naked eye. Although the metal itself is hard and will not be worn by external forces, it needs to withstand high temperature discharge for a long time. At the beginning of the discharge, it will inevitably wear out slowly. Of course, this is an ideal state.

In the actual use process, the loss of the electrode rod is much as shown in the figure below. During the discharge process, the glass ions of the fiber itself diffuse and adsorb to the tip of the electrode rod due to high energy and heat, forming non-conductive insulating impurities. After using the electrode for a period of time These impurities can be observed on the stick with the naked eye.

The electrode rod is used to conduct current, and its tip shape is closely related to the quality of the welding. Whether the electrode rod is black or white, it will cause changes in its end surface. As the electrode end face increases, the current density will decrease, while the electrode end face decreases, and vice versa. Therefore, maintaining the end surface within a certain range can stabilize the welding quality and obtain a smaller welding loss.

At the same time, the end face of the electrode rod changes, which will cause the high-voltage package to run under high load for a long time, which is easy to cause burnout. In addition, the instability of the discharge caused by the change of the end face causes the discharge to the electrode holder or the direct breakdown of the electrode holder. In turn, the welding loss is unstable, mistakenly thinking that the machine is out of balance, and even causing rework in some projects.

How to avoid these situations?

1.Minimize continuous welding in dusty environments

2.Pay attention to cleaning the optical fiber during operation

3.Regularly clean the electrode rods (for cleaning steps, please refer to the previous article "Cleaning and Maintenance of Fusion Splicer")

4.Choose the original electrode rod to ensure the length and adaptability (this is particularly important)

5.Replace the electrode rod, and it needs to be replaced when the welding reaches a certain number of times (3000-4000 times is recommended)