Fiber Optic Test Equipment

Fiber Optic Test Equipment

Fiber Optic Test Equipment are instruments for testing fiber optic networks. TEquipment offers a complete selection including

• Fiber Optic Light Sources
• Optical Fault Finders
• Optical Power Meters
• Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR)
• Fiber Optic Test Kits

Also available from TEquipment: Fiber Optic Test Tools and Fiber Scopes.
See Tools > Fiber Optic Cable Tools and Fiber Scopes
 

Fiber Optic Test Light Sources

Fiber Optic Light Sources are used in conjunction with Fiber Optic Power Meters to determine the optical loss on both single mode and multimode cables. Applications here at TEquipment are for the telecommunications industry. Wavelengths outputs are 850 & 1300 nm multimode and 1310 & 1550 nm single mode.

For 650 nm red source visual fault finders, our selection of models is under the Optical Fault Finders category. While it is a light source, it is more a fault finder since a standalone device.

Model specifications should state if they are designed for multimode or single mode applications and wavelengths, but you can also determine it from the type of light source. LED based light sources are designed for multimode fiber and laser light sources are for single mode.

Selection advice for Fiber Optic Light Sources

• LED and Laser Fiber Optic Sources are available that have are suitable for only one application 850/1300 nm multimode or 1310/1550 nm single mode.
  
  Spend more and you can have a Quad Wavelength fiber optic light source for the two multimode and single mode wavelengths. This would be best for an installer/contractor with different types of customers
   
• Consider a Fiber Optic Test Kit. Purchase a light source as a replacement or if you have multimode but find need for single mode or vice-versa. If the intention is to purchase a light source and optical power meter, then best value is to purchase a Fiber Optic Test Kit. See TEquipment website category by the same name that includes a light source and power meter
   
• NIST Calibration Certificate. For applications certifying fiber cabling, consider getting a light source with a NIST certificate. OWL, for example, offers NIST certificate standard with their models
   
• POF (plastic optical fiber). Plastic multimode fiber does exist for some specialized applications. Since the plastic core is much larger would require a different LED light source and power meter for 650-660/850 nm. Largest use for plastic fiber are for short distance audio cables. TEquipment carries a model from Advanced Fiber Solutions for this application

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

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 breaks and misconnections 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

Optical Power Meters

Key measurements of Fiber Optic Power Meters are absolute (for optical power of the switch, hub, transceiver,  etc.) and relative power (for optical loss). Optical loss is difference between two optical power measurements (one the light source after zeroing and the other the power meter at the other end).

Units will be dBm for optical power and dB for optical loss. Milliwatts (mW) is an older unit of optical power measurement sometimes still mentioned.

A fiber optic light source is required at the other end of the cable to send a known continuous wave (CW) for the power meter to receive. Wavelengths measured are 850 & 1300 nm multimode and 1310 & 1550 nm single mode.

Key Considerations for Fiber Optic Power Meters 

• Correct Wavelength(s) for applications
• Memory storage and documentation capability
• Certification capability
• Built-in OTDR for cable length measurement instead of a separate instrument
• Consider a Fiber Optic Test Kit. Purchase a Power Meter as a replacement. If the intention is to purchase a light source and optical power meter, then best value is to purchase a Fiber Optic Test Kit in our category by the same name that includes a light source and power meter.
• Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS)
• Built-in Visual Fault Locator. Red Laser Fiber Optic Light Source (aka Visual Fault Finders or Fiber Cable Tracer). A red source is a light source used to locate breaks and misconnections 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
• POF (plastic optical fiber). Plastic multimode fiber does exist for some specialized applications. Since the plastic core is much larger would require a different LED light source and power meter for 650-660/850 nm. Largest use for plastic fiber are for short distance audio cables. TEquipment carries a model from Advanced Fiber Solutions for this application

Discussion on Ports (ST, SC, FC, LC, FT)

Optical power meters are available with one or more ports. Having fewer ports should not be reason to disqualify the meter. There are plenty of available patch cables to convert to the desired port style. Regardless, when measuring optical loss it is important to properly “zero” the patch cable by one of three techniques. This video from OWL gives the basics.
 
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

Optical Time Domain Reflectometer

An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) trace is a graphical signature of a fiber's attenuation along its length. You can gain insight into the performance of the link components (cable, connectors and splices) and the quality of the installation by examining non-uniformities in the trace.

An OTDR trace helps characterize individual events that can often be invisible when conducting only loss/length (tier 1) testing. An OTDR is an important instrument used by organizations to certify the performance of new fiber optics links and detect problems with existing fiber links.

Maintaining Fiber Infrastructure Performance

OTDRs are also used for maintaining fiber plant performance. An OTDR allows you to see more detail impacted by the cabling installation. It maps the cabling and can illustrate termination quality, location of faults. It provides advanced diagnostics to isolate a point of failure that may hinder network performance. An OTDR allows discovery of issues along the length of a channel that may affect long term reliability. OTDRs characterize features such as attenuation uniformity and attenuation rate, segment length, location and insertion loss of connectors and splices, and other events such as sharp bends that may have been incurred during cable installation.

Selection advice for Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs)

• Loss-length certification
• Channel/event map view
• Power meter capabilities
• Easy-to-use interface
• Smart-remote options
• Documentation and Certification capability
• Consider a Fiber Optic Test Kit. Then best value is to purchase a Fiber Optic Test Kit. See TEquipment website category by the same

What is a copper and fiber cable certification tester?

Certification test tools answer the question, “Does this cable comply with cabling standards?
(e.g. TIA/EIA-568-C , ISO/IEC 11801, ANSI/TIA 1152 (copper only), ISO/IEC 61935-1).

Certification is the most rigorous of all cable testing. A certification tester makes many types of measurements across predefined frequency ranges and compares the detailed results to standards. The results from these measurements determine if a link is compliant with a category or class of cable. Certification tools are the only tools that provide “Pass” or “Fail” information on the cabling, in accordance with TIA or ISO standards.

Cabling manufacturers often require certification before issuing a warranty and enterprises often require certification testing before commissioning an installation.

Who uses a copper and fiber cable certification tester?

• Commercial datacom installers/contractors and enterprise facility managers to ensure that new cabling fully meets performance standards.
• Network owner who wants to check their own and third party installations.

Functions of copper and fiber cable testers

• Verification Testers. Used to determine if the cable is properly connected. Verification test tools perform basic continuity functions (for example, wiremap, toning for copper). These verification test tools sometimes include additional features such as a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) or Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) to determine the length of the cabling link or the distance to a break or a short circuit in the link-under-test. They may also support continuity of twisted-pair links as well as copper coaxial cabling links and check coaxial connections. Verification tools may also detect and report that the cable under test is connected to an active device like a hub or switch.
  
  Verification tools are ubiquitous, simple-to use, low-cost tools that are often the first line of defense in finding cabling problems. Verification tools are especially valuable as a quick and easy screening tool when performing large-scale installations. They can be used to verify that cables have been correctly wired and terminated, and to find breaks and shorts before the certification tests are performed. Eliminating connectivity problems before the certification tests can save valuable time and can significantly reduce the overall costs of testing.

• Qualification Testers. Qualification is a new category of testers designed to meet the emerging needs of network technicians who need to upgrade to higher network speeds as well as troubleshoot connectivity problems. Qualification testers help determine if the cabling will support technology requirements like fast Ethernet, VoIP, Gigabit Ethernet, etc. This type of tool is sometimes erroneously called a “Speed Certifier”. If you are a network technician, and have undocumented cabling and need to see if it will support your 1000BASE-T network, a qualification tool is the right choice.
  
  If you have an existing network and are doing small adds, moves, and changes, or you are setting up a temporary network and just need to qualify it for a specific network technology, a qualification tool is a good option.

• Certification Testers.  Test the cabling to ensure that it meets specific cabling performance standards. A good certification tester is easy to use, but has the ability to quickly do complex and accurate calculations. If you have a mixture of fiber and copper cabling, and often need to test both, certification tools do that best. Gives you a better understanding of how close the cable is to failure or problem that a qualification tester cannot. Qualification can just tell you the speed at time of measurement.

1. Tier 1 or Basic Test Regimen. Tier one cabling certification is performed with a power meter and light source or optical loss test set to measure the absolute loss of the link and compare it to the limits in the standard. The Tier 1 tests are attenuation (insertion loss), length and polarity. When conducting Tier 1 testing, each fiber link is measured for attenuation and results are documented. This test ensures that the fiber link exhibits less loss than the maximum allowable loss budget for the immediate application. Most common certification.
2. Tier 2 or Extended Test Regimen. Extended or Tier 2 fiber certification and troubleshooting supplements Tier 1 testing and can be performed with an OTDR . Visual Fault Locator is part of the test to help determine where is the loss along with the OTDR.

• 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

Fiber Optic Test Kits

Fiber Optic Test Kits include several fiber cable test instruments and accessories in a value priced kit. There are kits with light sources and optical power meters and others adding optical time domain reflectometers.