Getting Starting With Fiber Optic Testing?

By Author: aefos aefos
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Made up flexible and transparent fiber, optical fiber is the core of the today's data communication networks. Backbone of several kinds of networks in Universities, Schools, Government and Corporate sectors, optical fiber is the predominant type of wired communication media.
For high-speed and error free communications while negating the effects of distance on communications, fiber optic testing is the most important thing.
Testing Of Fiber Cables:
Fiber optic test is performed for the evaluation of performance measures of fiber cable components, systems and cable plants. As the components such as fiber, LED or laser sources, splices, connectors, detectors, and receivers are being developed, testing of such components confirm their performance specifications.
After the cables of optical fiber are installed, spliced and terminated, a test must be performed for end-to-end insertion loss and to troubleshoot problems (if any).
Testing of fiber cables require a special kind of testing tools and instruments which are used according to the components being tested.
While getting started with testing, ...
... one (experienced or inexperienced persons) should keep in mind the following things:
1. Make sure you have right set of tools and test equipment that are required for the job. These equipments are:
 Fiber optic kits, source and power meter.
 Visual fault locator or cable tracer.
 Reference test cables that are suitable for the cables to be tested and coupling adapters.
 Lint free cleaning wipes.
 Pure alcohol for cleaning.
 Optical loss test set (OLTS)
2. Know how to use testing tools and instruments:
Before you start with testing, collect all the required tools and check if they are working properly. Also, one should also read the instructions given with each tool and understand their use before you take them into the testing field.
3. Understand the network you are testing:
To perform right testing, one must need to understand the network layout being tested so to easily find the interrupted area. In addition to testing, inspection is also performed in order to ensure that proper passage through this cable, thus to avoid loss of light.
There are mainly two types of problems that may result in loss as light beams travel from one end of the cable to another, inside an adaptor. These are: contamination & damage.
Contamination: Contamination occurs due to dust, buffer gel, oil on hands etc. Dust or other small-charged particles in the air get attached on any exposed termination of the cable. Sometimes, simply touching the ferrule (a ferrule is a small cover or cap, generally, used for joining two pieces of cable or to make an eye termination on the end of the fiber cable) immediately deposits unwanted oil-on-hands on the exposed end-faces of the cables.
Damage: Cable damage may occur due to scratch, crack, pit or chip. On the other hand, defects may occur due to the poor coupling of cables.
Aefos is a well-known name in the field optic testing and cleaning equipment manufacturing. Log on to www.aefos.com to know more about them.