Supported Cabling Standards:
- EIA/TIA 568-B/C, ISO/IEC 11801
- 10-Gigabit Ethernet
- 1000Base-SX, 1000Base-LX
- 100Base-FX, 10Base-FB
- 10Base-FL, FDDI
- ATM-155, ATM-622
- Fiber Channel
- Token Ring
- Also supports 2 user-definable standards
Many fiber optic network bids and Requests For Quote (RFQ) are citing cabling standards to specify the set of guidelines (such as fiber length) that the network installer must follow during the network installation. Adherence to such standards is meant to ensure the quality of the installation and guarantee that the network will perform as it was designed. The process of testing a network installation to ensure its adherence to specified standards is called certification, and often requires hard- copy documentation as proof of adherence to standards.
The Micro OWL 2 / Dual OWL Test Kit contains the tools necessary for certifying fiber optic links against the TIA-568-B.3 cabling standard in multimode networks.
The Micro OWL 2 optical power meter is multimode and singlemode ready, and contains a user-friendly Fiber Link Wizard that performs link budget calculation, and sets a reference value using the characteristics of the link. This reference is the PASS/FAIL threshold and is calculated against the chosen standard. Up to 1000 fiber runs may be stored, and downloaded to a PC for report generation using our OWL Reporter software. Its universal port allows connections to ST, SC, and FC, and also includes a 1.25mm universal port for connection to LC, MU, and other SFF connectors.
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General Features
- 2.5mm Universal Connector Port - accepts many popular 2.5mm ferrule connectors, including ST, SC, and FC. Also included is a 1.25mm universal adapter cap (for connection to LC, MU, and other SFF connectors).
- USB Download Port - downloads stored data to a PC using the supplied USB download cable.
- Charger Port / VFL Port and Indicator LED - Allows for charging of re-chargable 9-volt batteries, as well as wall power operation (9VDC transformer and 9-volt re-chargeable battery not included). DO NOT USE BATTERY CHARGING PORT WITH NON- RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES, AS THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE HARM TO THE UNIT AND/OR THE USER.
- LCD Display - shows optical power/loss levels, power units, temperature, battery life, wavelength, and circuit ID information.
- Function keys activate certain menu options shown at the bottom of the Micro OWL 2 LCD display
- Enables user to enter alpha-numeric data, as well as activate certain menu options
- Allows the user to enter the MAIN MENU
- While in the menu system, reverts the user back one menu level; during data entry, enters the data input and sends the user to the next screen
- Toggles the backlight between on and off
- Turns the unit ON and OFF
General Features - LCD DISPLAY
The screen below shows information when power readings are being taken. We will refer to this screen throughout this manual as IMMEDIATE MODE.
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- POWER READING - shows the amount of optical power being received by the photodetector based upon the type of power units currently being displayed. “UNDER” means there is no measurable optical power and “OVER” means the detector is “blinded” by too much optical power
- POWER UNITS - shows the power units which are currently being displayed dBm - optical power in decibels relative to a milliwatt of optical energy dB - optical power in decibels relative to a previously set optical reference, also known as optical loss uW - optical power in micro- (uW) or milli-watts (mW)
- TONE DETECTION - shows ‘Hz’ if a modulated signal is being detected by the meter
- TEMPERATURE - shows current temperature in degrees (selectable Fahrenheit or Celcius)
- BATTERY LIFE - shows the percentage amount of remaining battery life; will flash when battery is low
- LINK NAME - shows the name of the currently loaded fiber link (CERTIFICATION METER mode only)
- FIBER RUN - shows the current fiber information (CERTIFICATION METER mode only)FBR: - user-configurable descriptive fiber name 123 - auto-incrementing fiber number (from 1 to 999)
- FUNCTION OPTIONS MENU - functions corresponding to the function keys on the keypad; the options on this menu will change according to the current function
- POWER METER WAVELENGTH - shows the currently selected wavelength (see the specifications in the appendix at the end of this manual for a list of wavelengths); will also alternate between wavelength and ‘AUTO’ when set to automatic wavelength detection
The Dual OWL is a NIST traceable multimode light source. Its dual wavelength outputs (850nm / 1300nm) are temperature-stabilized for accurate measurements. Two connector options are available (ST and SC).
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Functional Description
- 850nm Port - Houses a 850nm multimode source and can be either a ST or SC connector.
- Charger Port - Allows for charging of re-chargable 9-volt batteries, as well as wall power operation.
- 1300nm Port - Houses a 1300nm multimode source and can be either a ST or SC connector.
- 850nm Indicator LED - Indicates the ON/OFF status of the 850nm LED source.
- 1300nm Indicator LED - Indicates the ON/OFF status of the 1300nm LED source.
- Charger Indicator LED - Indicates the status of the charger port.
- Power Button - Powers the unit ON or OFF.
- Wavelength Select Button - Switches the unit between 850nm and 1300nm.
NOTE: DO NOT USE BATTERY CHARGING PORT WITH NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSION AND DAMAGE MAY OCCUR TO THE UNIT AND/OR THE USER.
NOTE: During normal operation, if the indicator LEDs are not lit, this indicates that the battery has insufficient power to provide accurate readings and must be replaced.
NOTE: Single wavelength versions (850nm only or 1300nm only) will only have a single optical port.