This process, known as fusion splicing, uses an electric arc to literally weld the two glass fibers together, creating a nearly seamless connection that minimizes signal loss and back reflection. The length of a fiber pigtail may seem like a simple detail, but it plays a direct role in how optical signals travel through a network. By understanding how cable length influences light transmission, installers can make better decisions that lead to stable, efficient network performance. A well-designed patch cord has an insertion loss of. For businesses and network engineers, understanding the nuances of the fiber optic pigtail is paramount for building robust, high-speed networks that can handle the ever-increasing demand for data. Pigtails are directly spliced to the fiber optic.