Some Special Tools for Fiber Optics From Fiberstore

As we know, splicers will need much the same tools to open and set up a fiber splice as they want a copper splice. The usual cable knife, tabbing shears, etc, are required, along with a few specially tools used only for fiber splicing.

Once the sheath has been opened and the field bonded in the standard fashion, a buffer tube cutter is required to score the hard, gel-filled buffer tubes. Caution should be exercised when performing this operation, because the buffer tubes contain fibers that are protected only by their primary coating. Use this tool only to score the tube and not to cut it. After opening up an express run (straight through cable), the splicer will have to use a tube splitter tool to remove the buffer tube bu running it along the tube, which then splits. Other handy tools include ceramic scissors for cutting the Kevlar in many cables, a magnifier for close-up examination of the fiber end face, and masking tapes for scarp containment. Alcohol with lint-free pads and a Fiber Optic Stripper are also requirement.

Fiber Optic Stripper

Most critical of all, however, is the choice of splitter. With the exception of the AMP Optimal splice/workstation (the splitter is built in), every fiber optic splice requires the use of a separate splitter. This tool, carrying in price 150 dollars to 2,500 dollars, can make or break a splicer’s day. The Fiber splitter on the end of a fiber is the most critical part of a successful splice, so it is advised to purchase and use a high-quality splitter. In my experience, at least half of all failed fiber splices are a direct result of a bad cleave from a cheap splitter. This is not the place to save money.

Unlike testing copper cable, testing fiber cable is easy and fun, Only two tests are specified by the EIA/TIA and most firms don’t even require those. The four basic tests that can be performed on fiber are the continuity test, received power test, single-ended test, and double-ended test, the continuity test can be performed quickly and easily with as little equipment as a 10 dollars flashlight, while the received power test requires the use of a power meter, which can be purchased for as little as 500 dollars. The other two EIA/TIA test procedures require the use of a light source, power meter, and several good jumper cords. Kits containing this equipment are available for as little as 1,000 dollars.

The optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an expensive instrument used primarily for acceptance testing and fault locating on long-haul single-mode fiber systems. This is called the “blind spot” or “dead zone.” However, once outside the dead zone, the OTDR is used primarily for reading insertion loss and back reflection at splice points. This instrument is not designed to give accurate end-to-end loss measurements on a fiber system. Use the standard for this test. OTDRs may be purchased for one or two wavelengths and may be single mode, multimode, or contain launch modules for both modes of operation. Prices vary from slightly less than 10000 dollars to as much as 45,000 dollars, depending on features desired.

Fiber optic cables are becoming the predominant medium of the ’90s and on into the 21st century. The necessary equipment, tools, and materials are more sophisticated than those used for copper splicing and trouble-shooting, but they are coming down in price as competition increase in this field. The wide bandwidth of fiber transmission will continue to drive improvements in fiber optics as voice, video, and data find their way into homes.

Fiberstore, as you know, it provides all kinds of fiber optical products include what you need, and it can supply custom service, we can according to your needs to make up it, I think it is the feature that many store can not do like this. Except this, the price is also exciting, almost products are doing 30% discount on the price, I really recommend you to have a try, it must bring you big surprise…

Fiber Optic Visual Light Testers from FiberStore

Visual fault locators can be part of OTDR, which is able to locate the breakpoint, bending or cracking of the fiber glass. It can also locate the fault of OTDR dead zone and make fiber identification from one end to the other end. Fiber optic visual fault locators include the pen type, the handheld type and portable visual fault locator. FiberStore also supply a new kind of fiber optic laser tester that can locates fault up to 30km in fiber optic cable.fiber testing red light

The new visual fault locator fiber optic laser tester 30km is especially designed for field personnel who need an efficient and economical tool for fiber tracking, fiber routing and continuity checking in an optical network during and after installation. It can send fiber testing red light through fiber optic cables, then the breaks or faults in the fiber will refract the light, creating a bright glow around the faulty area. Its pen shape made it very easy to carry, and its Cu-alloy material shell made it sturdy and durable, 2.5nm universal interface make it more attractive. The inspection distance various according to different mode.

Features
Easy to check fiber faults with visual red laser light
FC, SC, ST General interface
Sturdy and durable shell
Constant output power
Long inspection distance
Operates in either CW (Continuous wave) or pulse (Both modes are available)
Pen pattern design, convenient for use and carry
Dust-proof design keeps fiber connectors clean

Compact in size, light in weight, red laser output, both SM and MM available

FiberStore provides enough stock of fiber optic visual light testers which usually be shipped out in a short time, and can be shipped out in 2-4 business days. We offer 1 years warranty for the quality of these products, so customers can place the order with 100% confidence!

CWDM System Testing Process

With the explosion of CWDM, it is very necessary to formulate a basic testing procedure to certifying and troubleshooting CWDM networks during installation and maintenance. Today, one of the most commonly available test methods is the use of an OTDR or power source and meter, which is capable of testing the most commonly wavelengths, 1310, 1490, 1550 and 1625nm.

This article here is based on the pre-connectorized plug and play CWDM systems that allow for connecting to test equipment in the field:

In the multiplexing module of a pre-connectorized CWDM system, wavelengths are added to the network through the filters and transmitted through the common port. The transmitted wavelengths enter the COM port in the de-multiplexing module and are dropped. All other wavelengths present at the MUX/DeMux module are went through the express port.

Most of today’s OTDRs have expanded capability for testing wavelengths in addition to 1310 and 1550 nm. The OTDR allows partial testing of such system offered in test equipment source. The OTDR allows partial testing of these systems by using the flexibility of pre-connectorized solutions. This is done by switching connections within the CWDM field terminal to allow for testing portions of the non-1310/1550 nm optical paths.

To test the 1310nm, the first step is to test the downstream portion of a system at 1310 nm by connecting the OTDR to the 1310 nm input on the CWDM MUX located at the headend. Then switch the test leads over the the upstream side and repeat. Test method is the same for both the downstream and upstream paths.

1550 nm testing is performed similarly by switching the test leads to the 1550nm ports. If additional wavelengths are present, you need to follow the procedures below:

Using the 1550 nm test wavelength, switch the OTDR connection to the 1550 nm input port on the headend MUX. Have a technician stationed at the field terminal connect the drop cable leg connectors for the 1570 nm customer to the 1550 nm port on the Mux/demux device. What should be noted is that in a play and plug solution this should not require repositioning where the drop cable passes through the OSP terminal. Test the downstream 1570 nm passive link at 1550 nm, and then repeat for the 1570 nm upstream side. When testing is complete, have the technician switch the connections for the 1570 nm drop back to the 1570 nm ports on the field MUX/DeMUX device as shown in Figure 6. Repeat this process for the 1590 nm, 1610 nm drop cables and other wavelengths present. Finally, test the 1550 nm path normally with the 1550 nm drop cable connected to the 1550nm MUX/DeMUX ports.

Since the OTDRs is able to test at 1490 or 1625 nm, the drop cables under test could be connected to the EXP port of the module and tested at 1490 or 1625 nm respective wavelength, without having to connect each to the 1550 nm port. Otherwise the procedure is the same.

As CWDM network become more and more common the data they carrying has also become critical. The procedure introduced here allows for testing modular pre-connectorized CWDM systems with standard optical test equipments. Relative channel power can be measured with a wide-band fiber optic power meter at the filter outputs or at other points in the network with the aid of a wavelength selective test device or with an optical spectrum analyzer.

What is The Fiber Identifier

The Fiber Identifier acts as the fiber optic installer or technician’s infrared eyes. By placing a slight macrobend in an optical fiber or fiber-optic cable, it can detect infrared light traveling through the optical fiber and determine the direction of light travel. Some fiber identifiers can also detect test pulses from an infrared (800–1700nm) light source.
The fiber identifier typically contains two photodiodes that are used to detect the infrared light. The photodiodes are mounted so that they will be on opposite ends of the macrobend of the optical fiber or fiber-optic cable being tested. The electronics in the fiber identifier measure the detected light energy and display the direction of light travel through the optical fiber.

The optical fiber identifier is used very much like the Fiber Locator (VFL) when it comes to troubleshooting. But there are two difference: One key difference is that the fiber identifier replaces your eyes. Another difference is that fiber optic cable under test typically does not have to be disconnected from an active circuit – it can remain plugged into the transmitter and receiver.The fiber identifier can typically be used with coated optical fiber, tight-buffered optical fiber, a single optical fiber cable, or a ribbon cable. Each of these must be placed in the center of the photodiodes during testing. Selecting the correct attachment for the optical fiber or optical-fiber cable type under test typically does this.


Figure 1 shows Fiber identifier optical fiber and fiber-optic cable attachments

The fiber identifier can also be used with external light source. Often the external light source is an Fiber OTDR. Many OTDR manufacturers build or program in a pulsed output function. When set for a pulsed output, the OTDR emits a continuous pulse train at a predetermined frequency. The electronics in the fiber identifier can detect preset frequencies and illuminate the corresponding LED. This feature can be very helpful when you are trying to identify an unmarked tight-buffered optical fiber within a bundle of tight-buffered optical fibers. This feature can also be helpful when you are trying to approximate the location of a break in the optical fiber.
The fiber identifier can be used with the OTDR to narrow down the location of a break in an optical fiber when a VFL is not available or when the light from the VFL is not visible through the jacket of the fiber optic cable. If the index of refraction is correct, the OTDR should provide an accurate distance to the fault. The OTDR measures the length of optical fiber to the fault, not the length of fiber optic cable. The cable length may be shorter than the optical fiber length.

Once you have found the approximate location of the fault with the OTDR, set the OTDR or infrared light source to pulse at a predetermined frequency. Clamp the fibr identifier on the faulted fiber optic cable several meters before the approximate location of the fault. Check the fiber identifier for the predetermined frequency. If the fiber identifier does not detect the predetermined frequency, move the fiber identifier several meters closer to the OTDR or infrared light source and recheck for the predetermined pulse. If you have choosen the correct fiber optic cable test to the fault of the distance with you, you should be testing a predetermined frequency. If you still don’t test frequency, carefully check everything, and test again. If you still do not detect the predetermined frequency, there may not be enough optical energy for the fiber identifier to function properly.


Figure 2 shows optical fiber identifier

If you are able to detect the predetermined frequency, move the fiber identifier down the fiber optic cable away from the OTDR or infrared light source in one meter increments. Continue to do this until the fiber identifier no longer detects the predetermined pulse. You now know within one meter where the break in the optical fiber is located. At this point, you may want to disconnect the OTDR or infrared light source and connect the visible fault locator. The visible fault locator may illuminate the exact location of the fault. If the visible fault locator does not illuminate and conditions permit, darken the area around the fault. This may allow you to see the illuminated fault.