A weatherproof enclosure that holds splice trays, stores slack buffer tubes and grips the cable sheaths and strength members. Dome closures take all cables through one end, a butt configuration, while inline closures take cables at both ends. Seals use gel, grommets or heat shrink, and many closures are flash tested with low air pressure to prove they are sealed before burial.
Closure's at the bottom of the handhole full of water, so we're re-entering it, drying the trays and resealing.
Also heard as
- splice case
- can
- fiber closure
- FOSC
Do not mix it up with
- Patch panel: A patch panel is an indoor rack enclosure with connectors; a splice closure is a sealed outdoor housing for permanent splices.
Related terms
Can
Outside plant slang for a splice closure, especially a cylindrical dome closure on a pole or in a vault.
Splice protector
A heat-shrink sleeve with a steel rod that is shrunk over a fusion splice to protect the bare glass.
Fiber color code
The fixed sequence of twelve colors that identifies each fiber and buffer tube in a cable.
Service loop
Extra cable coiled and stored at a vault, pole or panel so the fiber can be re-spliced or moved later.