When talking about optical time-domain reflectometer§

(OTDR), you might see it as complicated and dear.

In actual fact, you could think like this for example

it is similar to the copper tester and it is a chance

to grow my business.

Fiber link testing may be new to some contractors, but the right equipment

could make the task easier. You can work like an expert while on an OTDR,

even though the fiber link testing jobs are very technical. If you're a copper

cabling installer, an OTDR will give you three big qualities as following.

1. Expert diagnostics which make the OTDR work much like your familiar

copper certification tool.

2. A method of bidding on more jobs increase your business and increasing

profits.

3. The ability to move your understanding of copper software in a brand new

area and be a fiber expert.

Using an OTDR don't have to be complicated or confusing. Understanding a

few fundamental concepts can make OTDR use as straightforward as using a

copper certification tool.

First, let's learn about how an OTDR works. A basic knowledge of how an

OTDR works will help in analyzing a trace, particularly when something

unexpected happens. An OTDR uses the backscattered light that occurs in

most fibers as light travels down the core. The OTDR measures time the

backscattered light takes to go back and forth through the bare optical fiber§, and

taking advantage of the rate of light in the fiber, the OTDR calculates the

distance values used in constructing the trace.

Fiber link testing includes using an OLTS. Recently updated standards that

concentrate on test methods for installed fiber links recommend the

complementary utilization of an OTDR. These new standards add some

utilization of an OTDR to ensure not just that the hyperlink has transpired, but

to ensure the quality of each installed component on the link.

Identifying bottlenecks is the strength of an OTDR, which sends a pulse of

light into fiber and measures the light reflected back at each component as

the light lost at this component. The same is true for backscattered light along

the length of the fiber itself.

An OTDR fiber tester§ can establish accurate, highly detailed measurements,

when the correct setup and necessary accessories are utilized. The basic

setup consists of a source laser, a coupler, a detector, a processor, a

connector panel on the OTDR, a launch cable (access jumper), and the

system under test. The source laser, coupler, detector, and processor are

contained inside the OTDR. When a trace is shot, the origin laser shoots

pulses with the coupler then with the system through the launch cable. As

light is scattered to the OTDR, the light goes back through the coupler which

redirects the light towards the detector. The processor then analyzes the

information received from the detector and constructs the trace.

Fortunately, the particular use of the OTDR isn't as challenging because it

appears. Ensuring test leads, launch fibers, andreceive fibers are in a crisp

condition, and therefore are neat and correctly connected, will always be

under your control. But the remainder of the setup steps could be looked after

through the instrument. Newer OTDRs can create an image from the proper

setup configuration. You merely need to make connections and have the

instrument "learn" the launch and receive fibers.