VDV Academy - Virtual Hands-On - Testing, The Tools You Need

VDV Academy Online - Virtual Hands-On - Testing
Test Equipment Needed

Test Equipment Needed

To test fiber optic cables, you will need the following items:

Test Equipment
Fiber Optic Power Meter w/connector adapter
Fiber Optic Test Source
You can get test equipment from Advanced Fiber Solutions

Accessories:
Launch and Receive Reference Cables
Mating Adapters For Connectors
Lint Free Pads And Alcohol (Alco Pads)

And, of course, the cables you want to test.

What You Need

Test Source - A LED or laser diode used to inject a reference optical signal into a fiber for testing optical loss. The source should match the wavelength and type of the system source for accurate measurements.

Test sources must be stable - that is have a constant output during the time you set up your reference and make loss tests - to allow accurate testing.

Power Meter - The instrument that measures optical power emanating from the end of the fiber used for calibrating the source and measuring the loss.

Power meters come in may varieties with lots of different features. We'll use a basic meter in our course so you will better understand dB and loss.

You will also need an adapter to match the connector you want to test.

Reference Launch and Receive Cables - Known good fiber optic jumper cables that are used to test other cables. They must have the same fiber as the cables being tested and the connectors must be compatible.

Always test your reference cables before testing. If they are bad, all you measurements will be bad!

Mating adaptors (also known as couplers or splice bushings) - mechanical couplings which allow two connectors to mate with low loss.

These adapters can be as big a factor in connector loss as the connectors themselves! Only use the good ones, with ceramic or metal alignment sleeves.

Cleaning Wipes - lint free cleaning wipes (such as Alco pads).

Typical airborne dirt is as big as the core of singlemode fiber and big enough to cause high loss in multimode fiber. Always clean connectors before testing.

Back Next


(C) 2003-6 VDV Works LLC

Test Equipment Needed To test fiber optic cables, you will need the following items: Test Equipment Fiber Optic Power Meter w/connector adapter Fiber Optic Test Source You can get test equipment from Advanced Fiber Solutions Accessories: Launch and Receive Reference Cables Mating Adapters For Connectors Lint Free Pads And Alcohol (Alco Pads) And, of course, the cables you want to test.	What You Need
*Test Source* - A LED or laser diode used to inject a reference optical signal into a fiber for testing optical loss. The source should match the wavelength and type of the system source for accurate measurements. Test sources must be stable - that is have a constant output during the time you set up your reference and make loss tests - to allow accurate testing.
*Power Meter* - The instrument that measures optical power emanating from the end of the fiber used for calibrating the source and measuring the loss. Power meters come in may varieties with lots of different features. We'll use a basic meter in our course so you will better understand dB and loss. You will also need an adapter to match the connector you want to test.
*Reference Launch and Receive Cables* - Known good fiber optic jumper cables that are used to test other cables. They must have the same fiber as the cables being tested and the connectors must be compatible. Always test your reference cables before testing. If they are bad, all you measurements will be bad! Mating adaptors (also known as couplers or splice bushings) - mechanical couplings which allow two connectors to mate with low loss. These adapters can be as big a factor in connector loss as the connectors themselves! Only use the good ones, with ceramic or metal alignment sleeves.
*Cleaning Wipes* - lint free cleaning wipes (such as Alco pads). Typical airborne dirt is as big as the core of singlemode fiber and big enough to cause high loss in multimode fiber. Always clean connectors before testing.