Fiber optic testing: Need and Types!

Optical fiber is a gift of modern technology and the most proficient medium of transferring data at enormous speed. Due to their feature of “high speed data transfers”, many communication networks today rely on fiber optics.

Fibers are the thread like structures made up of glass or plastic use light signal as a career to transfer data from one location to another. The downside of this high speed guided transmission medium is that they are easily vulnerable to contamination and damage which may gradually decrease their performance. As a result, cable loses its efficiency and may affect the overall performance of the network.

Therefore, routine checking and testing is a simple and effective way to ensure optimum functioning of these cables. There are several types of fiberoptic testing equipment available in current marketplace. The main purpose of these devices is to ensure that cable has been installed properly, to check reflectance of all connections and splices, to locate areas for repair quickly.

Below mentioned are some common types of testing performed on optical cables:

·         End-to-end loss testing: In this method, both units (light source and power meter) are connected with the test jumper. Optical power meter is a “device used to measure power of an optical signal”. Sometimes synonym as a fiber patch cord, a fiber jumper is a cable used for connecting equipment on either end of the link. Optical light source is a testing device used to measure the loss for both single and multimode fiber cables. As a result of this test, is both units have same wavelength reading will be accurate.

·         Cable commissioning: This test is performed to check cable for damage, and attenuation. It also measures the polarization mode dispersion. In this test, fiber cable that is to be tested is connected at both ends to automatic test units (light source and power meter).

·         Splice and connector optimization: This test is performed to measure the loss of joined pair of connectors. Otherwise, the gap in the connection may cause insertion loss and reluctance. OTDRs (optical time-domain reflectometer) are used for verify different events like splice loss on long fiber cables with inline splices or for troubleshooting.

In the current marketplace, there are varieties of fiber optic kits, like cleaning and testing tools are present that are used to complete the required tasks of cleaning and testing of cables andconnectors. To know more about these cleaner and their availability please check http://www.aefos.com.