Sumitomo Q101-M12 Ribbon Fusion Splicer

The Sumitomo Q101-M12 is a 12-fiber ribbon mass fusion splicer. It splices all 12 fibers in a ribbon simultaneously, which is how ribbon cable installation is done in high-density feeder routes where splicing one fiber at a time is not practical. It uses Sumitomo's core alignment technology to align each fiber pair before the arc fires. Key Specs Fiber Type: 12-fiber ribbon, single-mode, multimode, NZ-DSF, EDF Alignment: Core alignment (all 12 fibers simultaneously) Splice Time: <40 seconds per ribbon Heat Shrink Time: 60 seconds Typical Splice Loss: 0.02 dB (SM), 0.01 dB (MM) Return Loss: >60 dB Cleave Angle Tolerance: <3 degrees Fiber Diameter: 250 µm coated (standard ribbon) Power: 100–240 VAC or DC battery option Core alignment on a ribbon splicer is more complex than on a single-fiber machine. The Q101-M12 images each fiber pair independently through the splicing process and adjusts the ribbon position to minimize estimated loss across all 12 channels before the arc fires. This matters when you are installing feeder ribbon in central office or outside plant environments where post-splice testing is difficult. The machine handles the 12-fiber cleave and splice process with a ribbon fiber holder. Sumitomo fusion splicers are known for reliable arc calibration and consistent splice results across electrode life. The Q101-M12 was commonly deployed by telcos and fiber contractors during high-density OSP builds. Replacement electrodes, fiber holders, and heat shrink sleeves for this machine are still commercially available. This unit was verified for power-on and electrode function at our Downingtown, PA facility before listing. Does the Q101-M12 come with a cleaver? No. This listing is for the splicer only. A compatible ribbon fiber cleaver is required — the Sumitomo FC-6S ribbon cleaver or equivalent is typically used with this machine. Contact us if you need a complete ribbon splicing kit. What fiber holders does it require? Sumitomo 250 µm ribbon fiber holders sized for 12-fiber ribbon. Contact us for the exact holder model for your ribbon type. Can it splice non-Sumitomo fiber? Yes. The Q101-M12 splices standard 250 µm coated ribbon fiber regardless of manufacturer. Arc conditions can be adjusted for specialty fibers including dispersion-shifted and erbium-doped types.