Optical fiber splice protector and method for applying same

The present invention relates to a high reliability optical fiber splice protector and a method for applying the protector to the splice. More specifically, the invention provides for protecting a splice between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber where the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are contained in jackets or coatings of dissimilar diameters. An optical fiber splice protector protects a splice between a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber includes a first fiber coating and the second optical fiber includes a second fiber coating where the second fiber coating has a larger diameter than the first fiber coating. The splice protector includes a sleeve that is applied around the first fiber coating. The sleeve has a similar diameter to the diameter of the second fiber coating. A splint is applied around the splice of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber and extends from the sleeve to the second fiber coating. Additionally, a method for applying a fiber optic splice protector is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning the splint around the splice, proof testing the splice, and heat curing the splint around the splice after proof testing of the splice.