Read the passage below:
During fiber-optic cable installation, technicians rely on automated fusion splicing rather than mechanical splices for permanent trunk lines. While mechanical connectors merely align fiber cores inside a gel-filled sleeve, fusion splicers align the glass strands microscopically and emit an electric arc to melt and weld the tips together. Although fusion equipment requires significant upfront investment and meticulous cleaving of the glass ends, it reduces optical signal loss to less than 0.02 decibels per splice and permanently eliminates air gaps. By ensuring structural continuity, fusion splicing prevents reflective signal degradation that would otherwise cripple long-distance data transmission.
Match each excerpted statement from the passage with the author's primary communicative intent for including it.
- While mechanical connectors merely align fiber cores inside a gel-filled sleeve...To contrast an alternative method's mechanical arrangement with fusion splicing's permanent joint
- Although fusion equipment requires significant upfront investment and meticulous cleaving of the glass ends...To acknowledge procedural and financial hurdles before asserting the technique's technical superiority
- By ensuring structural continuity, fusion splicing prevents reflective signal degradation...To explain the operational necessity of seamless physical integration for overall network performance