How to select a suitable optical fiber tester

Optical fiber tester is a kind of instrument used in physics 、 Physical performance testing instruments in the field of electronics and communication technology . Common optical fiber test tables are ： Optical power meter 、 Light multimeter 、 Stable light source 、 Optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) And optical fault locator .

How to choose a suitable optical fiber tester ？

Select optical fiber test instrument , Generally, the following four factors should be considered ： Determine your system parameters 、 The work environment 、 Compare performance elements 、 Instrument maintenance

Determine your system parameters

Working wavelength (nm) The three main transmission windows are 850nm,1300nm And 1550nm.

Type of light source (LED Or laser )： In short distance applications , For economic and practical reasons , Most low-speed LANs LAN(<100Mbs) Usually use LED The light source . Most high-speed systems >100Mbs Use a laser light source to transmit signals over long distances .

Type of optical fiber ( Monomode / multimode ) And core / Coating diameter (um)： Standard single mode fiber (SM) by 9/125um, Although some other special single-mode fibers should be carefully identified . Typical multimode fiber (MM) Include 50/125、 62.5/125、100/140 and 200/230 um.

Connector type ： Common connectors in China include ：FC-PC,FC-APC,SC-PC,SC-APC,ST etc. . The new connector has ：LC,MU,MT-RJ etc.

Maximum possible link loss .

Loss estimate / System tolerance .

Identify your work environment

For users / For buyers , Select a field instrument , The temperature standard may be very strict . Usually , Field survey must be used in severe environment , It is recommended that the operating temperature of field portable instruments should be from -18℃~50℃, At the same time, the storage and transportation temperature is -40~+60℃(95%RH). The instruments in the laboratory only need to be in a narrow control range 5~50℃ Work .

Unlike laboratory instruments, they can use AC power supply , Field portable instruments usually have strict requirements for instrument power supply , Otherwise, it will affect work efficiency . in addition , The power supply problem of the instrument is often an important inducement to cause the failure or damage of the instrument . therefore , Users should consider and weigh the following factors ：

1、 The location of the built-in battery shall be convenient for the user to replace .

2、 The minimum working time of a new or fully charged battery should reach 10 Hours ( A working day ). However, the target value of battery service life should be within 40~50 Hours ( a week ) above , To ensure the working efficiency of technicians and instruments .

3、 The more common the battery model, the better , Such as general 9V or 1.5V No. 5 dry battery, etc , Because these general-purpose batteries are very easy to find or buy locally .

4、 Ordinary dry battery is better than rechargeable battery ( Such as ： lead - acid 、 Nickel cadmium battery ), Because most rechargeable batteries exist “ memory ” problem 、 The packaging is not standard 、 It's not easy to buy 、 Environmental issues, etc .

before , It is almost impossible to find a portable test instrument that meets all four of the above criteria . Now? , Adopt modern CMOS Artistic optical power meter of circuit manufacturing technology , Only use normal No. 5 dry battery ( Available everywhere ), To work 100 hours . Other lab models offer dual power supplies (AC And internal battery ) To increase its adaptability .

Like a mobile phone , Optical fiber test instruments also have many appearance packaging forms . lower than 1.5 Kg hand-held watches generally do not have many decorations , Only basic functions and performance are provided ; Semi portable instruments ( Greater than 1.5 kg ) It usually has more complex or extended functions ; Laboratory instruments are designed for control laboratories / Designed for production occasions , Have AC Power supply .

Compare performance elements

Compare performance elements here is the third step of the selection step , Include a detailed analysis of each optical test equipment .

Instrument maintenance

The optical fiber tester shall be maintained regularly , Clean the end face of optical fiber . the height is 95% The failure of the optical fiber link test is related to the uncleanness of the optical fiber end face .