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How to certify an optical fiber installation



In order to test the appropriate performance of an optical fiber installation, a calibrated LASER generator and an optical power meter are used. Then, in accordance with the results, a measurement report can be generated.

When using PROMAX instruments this process is carried out in very few steps because the equipment has features specifically designed to certify optical fiber.

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WHY THE OPTICAL FIBRE INSTALLATIONS MUST BE CERTIFIED? WHAT DO THE REGULATIONS STATE?

In Spain, for example, the regulations require newly constructed buildings to provide the telecommunications installation report to obtain the licenses and first-occupancy permits. Speaking in global terms, each country or region has its own legislation on the obligation (or not) to issue a certificate that guarantees the correct performance of a fiber optics installation.

… Although it is not just about complying with the legislation. Beyond any legal imperative, every good professional closes a job guaranteeing the client that the installation works as expected.

CALIBRATE THE OPTICAL POWER METER WITH THE LASER SOURCE

With this process, we are going to calibrate the selective optical meter to adjust it to the power supplied by the FTTH light source.

1. Connect the FTTH light source to the selective optical meter using two optical pigtails joined by a SC-to-SC adaptor.
2. Switch on the selective optical meter. Activate the Attenuation Test function.
3. Switch on the FTTH light source. Activate the simultaneous mode in order to send all the FTTH wavelengths at once. If you are using a PROLITE-105 FTTH source, this is done by pressing the SEQ key just once.
4. Capture the reference value of the wavelengths in the selective optical meter. If you are using a PROLITE-67 selective meter, this is done by pressing the UP/DOWN cursor keys simultaneously.

CONNECT THE FTTH SOURCE TO A ROOT NODE

Connect the FTTH light source to a source node of the transmission network of the facility. For example, to an unused plug of the drop terminal of the building. Repeat step 3 of the last section (setting the FTTH source to emit light in all three wavelengths simultaneously).

Since the next steps require you to move around the facility, you will have to leave the FTTH source working on its own. Battery will not be a problem because if you use a PROMAX PROLITE-105 you will get up to 15 hours of battery operation time.

PROLITE-105 CALIBRATED FTTH LIGHT SOURCE

Did you know? The PROLITE-105 FTTH light source, unlike low cost models, embeds three DFB temperature-stabilized precision lasers. Each laser is calibrated to one of the wavelengths used in FTTH (1310, 1490 and 1550 nm). Some countries like the United States use 1310, 1550 and 1625 nm. PROMAX provides light sources for both standards.

CONNECT THE OPTICAL METER TO EACH ONE OF THE OUTLETS

Connect the FTTH optical meter to each one of the reception nodes of the optical network where measurements are to be taken. For example in a user outlet.

Then activate the Attenuation test function and store the measurements in memory.

PROLITE-67 SELECTIVE FTTH METER

Did you know? Using a selective optical power meter such as PROMAX PROLITE-67 is essential because it is the only way to accurately measure the optical power of each one of the three wavelengths. A non-selective meter barely reaches the average power.

The PROLITE-67 is an advanced FTTH meter with functions that go well beyond the attenuation test. For example, you can calculate the return losses caused by bad connectors, and you can measure both the upstream and downstream data traffic without service interruption.

GETTING THE MEASUREMENT REPORT

If you use the software that probably comes bundled with your selective FTTH meter, you can download to the PC the measurements and print a report to certify the proper performance of the fiber optics installation.

If you are using a PROLITE-67, there is a dedicated tab in its control software to generate those measurement reports.

PROMAX is a leading manufacturer of test and measurement systems, broadcast and TV signal distribution equipment. Our product lines include measuring instruments for cable TV, satellite TV, broadcast, wireless and fibre optics networks, FTTH and GPON analyzers. DVB-T modulators, IP streamers or IP converters (ASI, DVB-T) are among the company’s latest developments.