Fiber optic testing: Need and Types!

Optical fiber is a gift of modern technology and the most proficient medium of transferring data at enormous speed. Due to their feature of “high speed data transfers”, many communication networks today rely on fiber optics.

Fibers are the thread like structures made up of glass or plastic use light signal as a career to transfer data from one location to another. The downside of this high speed guided transmission medium is that they are easily vulnerable to contamination and damage which may gradually decrease their performance. As a result, cable loses its efficiency and may affect the overall performance of the network.

Therefore, routine checking and testing is a simple and effective way to ensure optimum functioning of these cables. There are several types of fiberoptic testing equipment available in current marketplace. The main purpose of these devices is to ensure that cable has been installed properly, to check reflectance of all connections and splices, to locate areas for repair quickly.

Below mentioned are some common types of testing performed on optical cables:

·         End-to-end loss testing: In this method, both units (light source and power meter) are connected with the test jumper. Optical power meter is a “device used to measure power of an optical signal”. Sometimes synonym as a fiber patch cord, a fiber jumper is a cable used for connecting equipment on either end of the link. Optical light source is a testing device used to measure the loss for both single and multimode fiber cables. As a result of this test, is both units have same wavelength reading will be accurate.

·         Cable commissioning: This test is performed to check cable for damage, and attenuation. It also measures the polarization mode dispersion. In this test, fiber cable that is to be tested is connected at both ends to automatic test units (light source and power meter).

·         Splice and connector optimization: This test is performed to measure the loss of joined pair of connectors. Otherwise, the gap in the connection may cause insertion loss and reluctance. OTDRs (optical time-domain reflectometer) are used for verify different events like splice loss on long fiber cables with inline splices or for troubleshooting.

In the current marketplace, there are varieties of fiber optic kits, like cleaning and testing tools are present that are used to complete the required tasks of cleaning and testing of cables andconnectors. To know more about these cleaner and their availability please check http://www.aefos.com.

Things to keep in mind before cleaning and inspection

Fiber optics, as we know the most popular guided transmission media in communication networks. The key feature of glass or plastic made fiber strings is that they rely on light instead of electrical current to pass useful information from one place to another. Because of the property that light travels much faster than current, it become the functioning concept of fiber cables.

As a rule for almost everything, while there are positives of something, there are some downsides too. Same is in the case of fiber cables that are highly susceptible to contaminations from myriad sources like human hand oil, dust particles, powders left after water (or other solvents) evaporate, and others. These contaminations create interruption in the intended functioning of optical fibers, thus need to be cleaned periodically.

Below mentioned are general reminders and warnings before you clean or inspect optical Every time you mate or de-mate a fiber cables they must be cleaned and inspect to ensure their smooth functioning. There are variety of fiber optic testing and cleaning products available in the market, you just5 need to keep few but important things in mind. fiber connections.

Reminders:

·         Always make sure that laser sources are turned off before you proceed with the inspection of optical components, fiber connectors, or bulkheads.

·         Make sure that optical cable is disconnected at both ends.

·         Wear safety glasses and gloves during use of laser.

·         Always check the fiber connectors or adapters before you clean.

·         Be sure that connectors are properly inspected and cleaned before you make a connection.

·         On safe side, keep a protective cap on all connectors that are unplugged.

·         Don’t reuse the used tissues and swabs. Discard them properly.

·         It is a good idea to use connector housing to connect or disconnect a fiber.

Warnings:

·         Never follow wet cleaning or alcoholic methods without ensuring that it will not leave any residue or dust particles on the end face after cleaning. Because it can result in damage to the equipment.

·         Never look into an optical fiber while the laser systems are turned on.

·         Never touch inspection or cleaning products without being grounded properly.

·         Never touch fiber connectors’ end-faces.

·         Never pull or twist forcefully optical cables.

·         Never touch the cleaning side of the sawn, tissue, or cleaning fabric.

·         Never use wet cleaning solutions like alcohol around sparking cables or open flame. Because alcoholic cleaning agents are highly flammable.

Therefore, before you perform fiber optic cleaningor testing, keep the aforementioned thing in mind to avoid the associated risks of damage. Visit www.aefos.com for further details on products, user manuals and estimates..

Some of the fiber optic inspection and cleaning products

Fiber optics is a type of guided media used for the purpose of data transmission which has made communication much faster and easier in the present time. Optical fibers are made from glass threads which are called fibers. They carry a large bandwidth when compared to any other media and are less prone to noise disturbance. That is the reason they are being prominently used in the telecommunication industry replacing the traditional lines of communication.

This technology is today serving as the backbone of several industries for communication purpose. However, fiber optics is very delicate and any adulteration or dust particle on these fibers can disrupt the entire channel putting a halt of the entire organization. An unclean optical fiber can hamper the entire communication channels. That is the reason performing fiber optic testing and cleaning on a period basis is essential to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of communication.

Basically a connector is the key of the entire network that keeps it working. And this is the main part that needs most of the cleaning and care. Therefore, keeping the fiber cable network connectors clean and smooth is the key to uninterrupted flow of data and communication. To serve the same purpose, manufacturers have launched a number of fiber opticinspection and testing equipment. Some of them include MINIAVIT, AFC-3000, FASTMT, CFC-600L, AVIT, etc.

ñ  AVIT or automated visual inspection tool is used for fiber optic inspection on a large scale. It is an automated tool for the inspection purpose.

ñ  MiniAVIT on the other hand is a smaller version of automated visual inspection. It is used for the purpose of fiber cable inspection directly over the fixture or polishing plate. This tool is used during the inspection phase of fiber cable manufacturing. For example, in process, post-polishing and final stage of inspection, etc.

ñ  FASTMT is an easier tool for inspection purpose. It is used to inspect MT style connectors.

In addition to the above-mentioned fiberoptic testing equipments, some other products that come under the category of cleaning products include AFC-3000, CFC-600CL, CFC-600L. For example, AFC-3000 tool is battery operated which has a cleaning cycle of three seconds. CFCs stand for cartridges which are used to pull the cleaning thread with constantly built tension over the cartridge’s edge.

One can choose from the pool of available testing, inspection and cleaning products to ensure no fiber optic cable failure. Also, getting in touch with professional fiber optic cleaning companies would be a better option, if you do not how to perform the cleaning on your own. Besides, in a situation where there is room for failure of fiber optic network, these companies are the best option.

Why do you need to clean fiber optics?

Fiber optics are of vital importance in today’s advanced technological world and there is need for close attention to be paid towards maintaining its wellness from time to time. Like every other machine component, fiber optics also tends to need proper maintenance at regular intervals and there is need for proper attention to be paid towards cleaning them. Given below are a couple of main reasons why there is need for cleaning fiber optics.

Wear and tear- With use across the years, fiber optics tends to wither and spoil. The daily wear and tear and abrasion might tend to make them weak and vulnerable to spoiling. This s what makes it unavoidable  for one to register proper fiber optic cleaning so that the tiny tentacles of fiber optics as well as the entire set up that includes connectors, splices and so on, are in the best shape and can function without problem for a long time to come.

Functionality- With time, not only the appearance and outer structure of the fiber optics, but also the functionality might tend to get hampered. This is what makes it vital for you to clean them as well as check them for damages and repair them, before a major technical error has to be borne which might bring work to a standstill. Fiber optics are basically small light reflectors that are used to transfer data. If there are errors in them, it would definitely mean compromising on the speed of data transmission, which might mean the loss of time, data as well as money. To avoid such problems, there is need for keeping machinery up to date.

In compliance with the industry- In this cruel and competitive world of cut-throat attitude, you need to be the fastest and most efficient if you want to succeed. This makes it important for you to keep your equipment working in the best possible order so that you don’t face defeat in any competition.

In the end, you need to pick a good cleaning service provider. When you choose a professional, you can rest assured that the fiber optic kits that they use shall be adept in cleaning and testing your fiber optics well, while not compromising with the safety of your products. Researching extensively from amongst the top names in the business shall definitely help you in locating the most feasible service provider for the same.

Log on to www.aefos.com to have a look at the products they manufacture.

Why is fiber optic inspection essential?

Even the smallest parts of a machine require adequate maintenance. Over the years, usage and wear and tear, moisture as well as other climatic changes, dust and dirt tend to deteriorate the condition of the machines in such a way that if they are not well taken care of, you might have to face permanent damage and go for replacement of the machines. This is what calls for the need of testing and cleaning of the same.

Fiber optics is no different and they require to be taken care of, from time to time. Fiber optic testing  is to be done at regular intervals so that along with its cleaning, you can also determine whether its functionality is intact! If you simply clean the fiber optics using different modes of cleaning such as air sprays and swabs and wipes, you can be sure that they are fresh for use again.

However technical problems can be removed only after there is proper testing done, which reveals whether or not there is need of replacements or repairs.

You need to make sure that the professional aid that you choose for this testing has state of art fiber optic testing equipments, which are versatile and can deal with different types of technical errors or obstacles in the optic cables.

Make sure that you choose such a trustworthy service provider that can be trusted for years, for streamlined flow of back up and support, as and when required.

There are a number of counterfeits in the market who shall try and lure you for money and never meet your standards in terms of optic maintenance services. This is why you need to be smart enough to choose the worthy options according to your requirements as you wouldn’t want to end up spending tons of money for something that is not worth it.

The quality of a particular service provider can be judged with the help of the number of years of experience that they have as well as the versatility that they deliver their services with. Keep a check on these, as it shall help you find dependable solutions according to your requirements.

Researching well will help you find suitable options with the help of which, you can get the most professional and well trained people to conduct fiber optic testing for your machinery.  This way no harm shall be done to the same and one can rest assured about the authenticity of services as well.

To know more about Fiber optic testing please check http://www.aefos.com.