A permanent or semi-permanent connection between two conductors or cables. A splice in a twisted pair cable is accomplished by mechanical means involving various types of crimps and crimping tools, and is permanent. A splice in a coaxial cable employs barrel connectors and is semi-permanent. A splice in a fiber optic cable can be either a semi-permanent mechanical splice or a permanent fusion splice. A mechanical splice involves a gel-filled plastic or metal crimp sleeve and special crimping tool. A fusion splice entails fusing the glass fibers together at high temperature. See also fusion splice and mechanical splice.