Fluke Fiber Optic Test Equipment

Fluke 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 Products > Tools > Fiber Optic Cable Tools and Fiber Scopes

Optical Power Meters

Fluke Optical Power Meters allow for testing of fiber optic cable without the purchase of a new instrument. These Fluke units attach directly to any DMM with a mV DC function and a 10 MO input impedance. They are then capable of quickly and accurately checking fiber optic cable system loss. A fiber optic light source is still required at the other end of the cable to send a known continuous wave (CW) for the power meter to receive. Fluke also offers these units for wavelengths at 850 & 1300 nm multimode.

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.
 

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. If the intention is to purchase a light source and optical power meter, then the best value is to purchase a Fiber Optic Test Kit in our category by the same name.
• 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.

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

Fiber Optic Test Light Sources

Fluke Fiber Optic Light Sources are used in conjunction with Fluke 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 it is 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.
   
• 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.

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