A splicer comprises a chassis with an opening in which a splicing unit for splicing of optical waveguides is arranged. The splicer can be controlled via a control and display apparatus. A splicing cassette carrier is arranged rotatably on the chassis. The splicing cassette carrier is designed such that it can be used both for fixing a splicing cassette or else as a carrying handle for the splicer. Furthermore, the splicer has a control unit via which the splicer is switched to an active operating mode or to a standby mode, as a function of the rotation position of the splicing cassette carrier. When the splicing cassette carrier is open, the light intensity of background lighting for the display apparatus and the light intensity of a lighting device can be controlled so they are variable. The reduced power consumption associated with this allows the operational readiness of the splicer to be lengthened.