What is the main purpose of using a splice tray?

Using a splice tray is primarily focused on organizing and protecting spliced fibers. In fiber optic installations, splicing is essential for connecting two separate fiber segments seamlessly. However, once splicing is done, maintaining the integrity and organization of these connections is vital for the overall performance and reliability of the network.

A splice tray provides a structured platform where spliced fibers can be laid out neatly. This organization helps to prevent excessive bending or stress on the fibers, which could lead to signal loss or damage. Additionally, the protective features—such as covers or enclosed designs—help safeguard the splices from environmental factors like dust, moisture, and physical impacts, which can degrade the fiber's performance over time.

Other options relate to different aspects of fiber optic technology. Connecting separate segments is a function of the splice itself but does not fully capture the protective and organizational role of the tray. Amplifying signals or converting electrical to optical signals pertains to different components in a fiber network, such as amplifiers and transceivers, rather than the splice tray's purpose. Therefore, the correct understanding of the splice tray revolves around its role in ensuring that spliced fibers are both organized and protected.