Optical Fault Finders

Optical Fault Finders

Red Laser Fiber Optic Light Source (aka Visual Fault Finders or Fiber Cable Tracer)
A red source is a light source used to locate misconnections and breaks in fiber optic cables. A high intensity visible red laser beam is precision-coupled into an optical fiber. Breaks and micro-bends in the fiber deflect the red light into the fiber jacket, producing a red glow at the point of the fault. It is an inexpensive troubleshooting tool to find the broken or bent patch cords or problems behind a patch panel. Additionally, they can be used as an end-to-end visual fiber identifier, which is useful for locating fibers terminated in poorly labeled or unlabeled fiber patch panels.

What is multimode and single mode fiber optic cable?
Certainly, there is much more information and science involved but the very basic differences:

• Single mode is for outside use over long distances. Higher bandwidth. Uses lasers which are more expensive, so not used for indoor applications
• Multiple modes of light in a wider core fiber cable using LED light. Shorter distances and less bandwidth, though there is ongoing research to increase bandwidth and distance to rival single mode