This EIA Generic Specification describes the mechanical and optical performance of optical fiber and optical cable splices used in optical waveguide communications, Excluded are splices unique to the fiber and cable manufacturing processes.

Splices covered by this Specification join optical waveguide to optical waveguide or join optical cable to optical cable or both. Optical waveguides joined may be made from glass, plastic, or a combination of both and may be the sizes as identified in EIA-458-A.

Splice subfamilies shall be described in Sectional Specifications that will reference this Generic Specification. A Blank Detail Specification, from which a splice manufacturer may develop a Detail Specification by filling in performance data on his product, will reference a corresponding Sectional Specification.

Splices covered by this Specification fall into two general environmental categories Of protected environment splices, and non-protected environment splices. Splices can be permanent or semi-permanent. Definitions of these terms are found in paragraph 2.3.