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.