Hello everyone,
There are many tools and instruments for inspecting, clean and measuring in optical networks: tools for cleaning, microscope, visual fiber tracer, visual fault locator, light source, optical power meter, PON meter, reference cables, OTDR, fiber identifier, etc. This is a big theme.
When we finished some optical links, we must test them. We have to check total attenuation, attenuation in every event, optical power and inspect and clean optical connectors.
Today, I will talk about visual fiber tracer, visual fault locator, and reference cables.
Visual fiber tracer
Visual fiber tracer is an instrument for check continuous optical fibers. It uses the light source or LED. This instrument can use to check to continue optical fibers in cable on the reel, or installed cable. We easily connect this instrument to the end of the optical fiber (optical connector), and if we can see light on the other end, the cable is correct. It can use for a short distance. The much better instrument for visual test optical fibers is the visual fault locator. Now, I will talk about it.
Visual fault locator
Visual fault locator or VFL is a very useful instrument for visual test optical fibers. This instrument is like a pen. It is a laser source, red light on 650nm. These are very practical instruments for check continuous optical fiber, for check mechanical splices, fusion splices, micro bends and we can use them to identify optical fibers.
We easily connect this instrument to the end of the optical fiber (optical connector) and if everything is ok, we can see light on the other end. But, if the optical fiber is broken, bad mechanical or fusion splice or there is a big macro band (indoor cable – white, yellow, or orange jacket of cables), we will see a red light at that point. This instrument is used when we make mechanical splices – for visual verification and optimization.
VHF has high optical power and it can be used for several kilometers. It is very dangerous for the eyes.
In the next picture, there is VFL.
Reference cables
Reference cables are cables used with instruments during testing. These cables are optical cables with one fiber and with optical connectors on both ends. The typical length is 1-2m. These cables are tested, and they have a very low loss.
Reference cables, we use with the light source and optical power meter. There are 3 methods for testing optical cables and different patch cords (measuring optical loss) – with one, two, or three cable references.
For more information, please click:
Main instruments for measuring in optical networks (1)
Main instruments for measuring in optical networks (3)
Main instruments for measuring in optical networks (4)
Thank you!
