FIBER OPTICS TEST PROCEDURE 22NOV.pdf

McFarland Dragarm / Dredge Pump Fiber Optic Network System

FIBER OPTICS TEST PROCEDURE

Fiber Optic System Cleaning, Inspecting and Testing:

General Testing Guidelines:

• Always presume connectors are dirty prior to mating.

• A fiber optic termination has two connectors – always clean both! Cleaning one and re-mating it to a dirty connector is not acceptable.

• Use optical quality cleaning materials to clean fiber end-faces.

• Use an optical cleaning fluid to minimize the static build up.

Required Performance Tests:

• Use a fiber optic microscope with built in eye-protection to inspect connectors prior to mating. All fiber segments are to be recorded as PASS/FAIL marks.

• Light Source & Power Meter or OLTS kits test for Attenuation. All fiber segments are to be recorded with attenuation value and PASS/FAIL marks.

• OTDR test to characterize the installation and get sign-off. All fiber segments are to be recorded with optical power loss value and PASS/FAIL marks.

Glossary

Optical loss test set (OLTS) The OLTS consists of a light source and an optical power meter. The main function of this equipment is to measure the optical power or loss.

Visual fault locator (VFL) or tracer The VFL is a red laser source; the tracer is an LED source. Either instrument can be used to trace fibers and troubleshoot faults on optical fiber cables. The main function of this equipment is to check continuity of the fiber, as well as to identify fibers and connectors in patch panels or outlets.

Optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) The OTDR is a more sophisticated measurement instrument. It uses a technology that injects a series of optical pulses into the fiber under test and analyses the light scattering and the light reflection. This allows the instrument to measure the intensity of the return pulse in functions of time and fiber length. The OTDR is used to measure the optical power loss and the fiber length, as well as to locate all faults resulting from fiber breaks, splices or connectors.