Required and useful tools of Fiber Optic Tester

by Fiber-MART.COM

Fiber Optic Light Source is used as a Fiber Optic Tester very much. It’s a necessity for performing fiber optic network testing to measure the fibre optical loss for both single mode fiber cable and multimode fiber cables. They are designed to cover a variety of wavelength ranges to suit all optical testing needs and usually the optical light sources are used with the fiber optic power meter to test the fiber system loss. Light sources are offered in a variety of types including LED, halogen and laser. This fiber optical visual light source can provide wavelength output according to the specific requirements including the 650nm red source, 1310nm/1550nm wavelength for the single mode fiber and 850nm/1300nm wavelength for the multimode fiber. Usually the optical light source is used with the fiber optic power meters,they act as an economic and efficient solution for the fiber optic network works.

 

For example,one of the products is called JW3111-3 Fiber Optical Light Source (650/850/1300nm).It is a handheld optical light source, newly released in 2007. It can provide 1 to 6 wavelengths output to satisfy specific requirements including the 650nm visible light source and the 1310/1550nm wavelengths for single mode fiber or the 850/1300nm wavelengths for multimode fiber, as well as other wavelengths according to customer’s needs. Together with the JW3211 optical power meter, it is a perfect solution for fiber optic network applications.

 

 

And there is a very simple tool called Fiber Optic Test Light. Fiber Optic Test Light which working with ST SC FC and more connectors,can test all kinds of Fiber either with the connector or bulk. It shines light throught fiber to check for breaks or correct fiber. Though it’s a simple test tool,sometimes that’s all you need because it can excellent addition to any technicians tool kit.

 

Fiber Optic Light Sources can be used in conjunction with the Power Meter to provide a very accurate and reliable attenuation test solution. Fiberstore supplies the fiber optic light sources with different working wavelength, and these handheld fiber optic light sources are good prices and fast delivery. Fiber Optic Light Sources for testing fiber optic cables are available from us with good prices. We are professional Light Sources suppliers providing good price Light Sources for you. Fiber optic light source is usually used with the power meters, they can perform the basic test of the fiber optic systems. Workers as a regular deal and Fiber Optic Testing, you must first prepare a such a tool. Now, you know how to choose a useful tool!

Maintance Methods Of Fusion Splicer Parts

by Fiber-MART.COM

The most common parts of a fiber fusion splicer include Electrodes and V-Grooves. Fusion splicers are dependent upon high-quality electrodes to focus that critical arc of electricity. As the electrodes wear from use, electrodes gradually worn and lead to weaker splices and higher splice losses. Cleaning electrode is part of the essential maintenance of fusion splicer and will not restore the performance of the fusion splicer as electrodes need to be replaced.

 

Always replace fusion splicer electrodes as a pair. For optimal performance, electrodes should also be aligned when they are replaced. This is a tuning process to maximise the performance of your splicer.

 

The Maintance Methods Of Fiber Fusion Splicer Parts:

1. Electrical welding electrode life is generally about 2000, after a long time the electrode will be oxidized, resulting in the discharge current is too large leaving the splice loss value increases. You can remove the electrodes, medical cotton wool dipped in alcohol to gently wipe and then install the fusion splicer, and discharge cleaned once. If repeated washing, the discharge current is still too large, it shall replace the electrode.

 

Replace the electrode first remove the protection of the electrode chamber cover, loosen the screws fixed on the electrode, remove the upper electrode. Then release the top wire fixed to the lower electrode, remove the lower electrode. Installation of new electrode opposite action of the demolition order, require two electrode tip clearance: 2.6 ± 0.2mm, with the optical fiber symmetry. Under normal circumstances electrode is not required to be adjusted. Not touch the tip of the electrode in the replacement process, prevent damage, and should avoid the electrodes to fall inside the machine. After replacing the electrode to carry out calibration of the arc position.

 

Care of the electrode used for a long time, the tip of the electrode will produce sediment discharge poor, then there will be a “hissing” sound, then need to clean the electrode. The recommended the regular welding machine electrodes care that clean the electrode.

 

2. 4 clean V-shaped groove welding machine tune the core direction of the upper and lower driving range each only tens of microns, slightly foreign body will make the fiber image deviation from the normal position, resulting in normal alignment. At this time the need for timely clean the V-groove:

 

a. Off the windshield of the welding machine.

 

b. Open the fiber optic pressure head and the clamping platen.

 

c. Stick with a cotton swab dipped in anhydrous alcohol (or sharpened toothpick) single wipe in a V-Groove Fiber Aligner.

 

Note: Avoid using hard objects to clean the V-groove or V-groove on the force, to avoid bad V-groove or V-groove inaccurate, resulting in the instrument can not properly use.

 

Proper use of Fusion Splicer is to reduce an important guarantee of the optical fiber splice loss and key links. You always should be strictly in accordance with the instructions of the welding machine and operational procedures. And properly set the welding parameters according to the type of fiber (including pre-discharge current, time and the main discharge current, the main discharge time). Do as above, the working life of your fusion splicer certain can be longer.

Fiber Optic Tester - Optical Power Meter

Fiber Optic Tester - Optical Power Meter

In fiber optic network, whether installing new cable, or troubleshooting existing cable, cable testing always plays an important role in the process. Optical power meter which is widely used for power measurement and loss testing is well known to us. Today, we are going to talk about this familiar and essential fiber optic tester - optical power meter.

 

As its name suggests, optical power meter is a meter which is used for testing optical power. So, what is optical power? And how to measure power by using optical power meter?

Optical Power

 

In simple terms, optical power is the brightness or “intensity” of light. In optical networking, optical power is measured in “dBm” which refers to a decibel relative to 1 milliwatt (mW) of power. Thus a source with a power level of 0 dBm has a power of 1 mW. Likewise, 3 dBm is 2 mW and -3 dBm is 0.5 mW, etc. And one more thing should be known is that 0 mW is negative infinity dBm.

 

Using Optical Power Meter for Power Measurement

 

Measuring power at the transmitter or receiver requires only an optical power meter, an adapter for the fiber optic connector on the cables used, and the ability to turn on the network electronics.

 

The optical power meter must be set to the proper range (usually dBm, but sometimes mW) and the proper wavelength when measuring power. When all are ready, attach the optical power meter to the cable at the receiver to measure receiver power, or to a short test cable that is attached to the system source to measure transmitter power. Mark the value, and compare it to the specified power for the system and make sure it is in the acceptable range for the system.

In addition to measuring optical power, optical power meter can be used to test optical lost by using together with light source. What is optical loss and how does the optical power meter achieve loss testing?

 

Optical Loss

 

When light travels through fiber, some energy is lost, e.g., absorbed by the glass particles and converted to heat; or scattered by microscopic imperfections in the fiber. We call this loss of intensity “attenuation”. Attenuation is measured in dB loss per length of cable. dB is a ratio of two powers. Even the best connectors and splices aren’t perfect. Thus, every time we connect two fibers together, we get loss. We called this loss as insertion loss which is the attenuation caused by the insertion of the device such as a splice or connection point to a cable. Actual loss depends on your fiber connector and mating conditions. Additionally, insertion loss is also used to describe loss from Mux since it is the “penalty you pay just for inserting the fiber”.

 

Using Optical Power Meter and Light Source for Loss Testing

 

Loss of a cable is the difference between the power coupled into the cable at the transmitter end and what comes out at the receiver end. But Loss testing requires not only optical power meter, but also a light source. In general, multimode fiber is tested at 850 nm and optionally at 1300 nm with LED sources. Single-mode fiber is tested at 1310 nm and optionally at 1550 nm with laser sources. The measured loss is compared to the loss budget, namely estimated loss calculated for the link. In addition, in order to measure loss, it is necessary to create reproducible test conditions for testing fibers and connectors that simulate actual operating conditions. This simulation is created by choosing an appropriate source and mating a launch reference cable with a calibrated launch power that becomes the “0 dB” loss reference to the source.

 

There are two methods used to measure loss which are called “single-ended loss” and “double-ended loss”. Single-ended loss works by using only the launch cable while the double-ended loss works using a received cable attached to the meter also. The method “signle-ended loss” is described in FOTP-171. By using this method, you can test the loss of the connector mated to the launch cable and the loss of any fiber, splices or other connectors in the cable you are testing. Thus, it is the best possible method of testing patchcords, since it tests each connector individually. The method “double-ended loss” is specified in OFSTP-14. In this way, you can measure loss of two connectors and the loss of all the cable or cables, including connectors and splices in between. The following picture shows these two methods to us. From left to right: Single-ended loss testing (Patch Cord), Double-ended loss testing (installed cable plants).

 

Optical Power Meter Selection Guide

 

As described above, optical power meter is very useful and necessary for fiber optic testing such as optical power measurement and loss testing. Thus, to select a suitable optical power meter is very important. According to the user’s specific application, several points should be considered when choosing an optical power meter:

 

Choosing optical power meter with the best type of detector and interface 

 

Evaluation of calibration and precision as well as the manufacturing calibration procedures should match your fiber and connector requirement 

 

Make sure that the model of the meter is consistent with your measurement range and the display resolution 

 

Whether have a direct insertion loss (dB) measurement function

 

In addition to optical power meter and light source, other tools such as launch cable, mating adapters, visual fault locator or fiber tracer, cleaning and inspection kits as well as other testers are also required for fiber optic testing. fiber-mart.com offers a comprehensive solution of fiber optic testers and tools which help you achieve a reliable and valuable fiber optic system. Contact us via sales@fiber-mart.com for more information.