AFL Fibre Testing Equipment
Testing Equipment for Fibre Optic Networks
Fibre testing is recognised as playing a vital role in the installation and maintenance of a fibre optic network. The process of performing tests on fibre networks includes checking how well fibre cables are working, furthermore identifying problems, which enables them to be quickly fixed.
There are two main areas where fibre optic cables are tested. Continuity testing, which involves conducting a basic connection test, that is performed with a visual fault locator (VFL). A bright light is shone down the fibre, and if the light fails to come out the other end of the cable, it identifies that the cable is damaged. Optical Loss testing measures how much light signal is lost as it travels through the cable. Generally, this test is performed with a light source and power meter. The light source is placed at one end, while the power meter is positioned at the other end. The meter measures the strength of the light and determines the amount of loss.
However, when advanced reporting and certifying of fibre networks are required, an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is utilised. This device is a powerful network examination tool that provides in-depth reporting and troubleshooting of fibre optic cables. It goes beyond basic checks by providing a detailed picture of the fibre network’s health. As the light pulses travel down the fibre and encounters events such as connectors, breaks, cracks, splices, and the fibre’s end, each event causes some light to reflect back towards the OTDR, where it can be analysed.
AFL is recognised as a leading manufacturer of testing and inspection equipment for fibre networks. Their equipment enables the detailed testing and examination of fibre optic networks, ensure maximum performance.
