Otdr Launch Cable Purpose

Otdr testing requires launch and receive test cables to measure the end.

Otdr launch cable purpose.

An optical time domain reflectometer otdr is an optical measurement instrument designed to detect faults splices and bends in optical fiber cables. It is essential for testing optical fiber links in premises networks. The launch cable sometimes also called a pulse suppressor allows the otdr to settle down after the test pulse is sent into the fiber and provides a reference connector for the first connector on the cable under test to determine its loss. This launch cable connects otdr to ftth or any network using apc connections.

Attenuation and event deadzones explained make sure that the otdr launch fiber used is of the same core diameter and connector type as the fiber link under test. When testing fiber optic cable with an optical time domain reflectometer otdr these launch boxes eliminate the dead zone. However the handling of them should be careful. Measurement using a launch cable launch cable launch cable otdr 1m patchcord.

If you want to get accurate test result of the fiber link the length of the optical fiber inside the otdr launch box should be long enough to cover the whole dead zone. It functions by launching pulses of light into the optical fiber and measuring the back reflections created by the faults splices and bends. Ftb ltc psb spsb launch test cable pulse suppressor box. Without a launch box it is difficult to measure the relative loss at the near end and far end of the patch panel connections.

Using a shorter fiber launch cable may hide the first event within the fiber quickmap s dead zone. Dead zones can be overcome by connecting a long launch cable to the otdr. Because very long test cables are impractical to transport and use noyes designed coiled lengths of 50 µm multimode 62 5 µm multimode or single mode fiber conveniently packaged in compact rings. Otdrs are always used with a launch cable and may use a receive cable.

The afl fr1 sm 150 sc alc fiber ring otdr launch cable features 150 meters of single mode fiber optic cable with sc and angled lc connectors in a portable and lightweight ring. Its purpose is to detect locate and measure elements at any location on a fiber optic link. Otdr launch box is like fiber optic cables it has different types. Noyes fiber rings from afl are a necessity when testing with an otdr.

The using of otdr launch boxes seems really easy. During a test the launch box is placed between the otdr and the near end of a patch panel. If you don t use a launch cable otdr bulkhead event not seen fiber under test end of fut reflective event with loss can t see end of fut using a 5ns pw using a 1us pw wider pulse width used but this results in the deadzone getting longer.