Inspect before you connect

Testing and inspecting before connecting is a critical step in optical network building. Our increasing demand for–and transmission of–data can only be met by networks which are robust and properly deployed, which brings the importance of inspection and cleaning into sharper focus. You can no longer clean a connector on the back of your shirt and expect it to work, because networks providing 10G, 40G, 100G or more require a very low loss budget, which will be impacted by a dirty connector.

What do we mean by ‘dirty’?

We mean contamination – something which is impeding the passage of light. Contamination is a common problem when using fibre optic connectors. But it’s not hard to beat contamination by using the right tool to inspect the connector end-face prior to connecting, which will allow you to see the condition of the end-face in seconds. Dirt damages optical fibre and can cause back reflection, insertion loss, damage to other network components and a loss in the transmission of light. The status of one connector might seem insignificant but the potential cumulative impact of multiple poor connections will impact performance. Common types of contamination include:

• Dirt (e.g. sand, dusat, grit)
• Oil
• Pits and chips
• Scratches

Multiple different sources including test equipment, dust caps, people, or the environment can contaminate a connector end-face. This is why testing and inspecting are so important because none of these are likely to be visible to the naked eye.

Ensuring clean connectors

While having the right equipment is important in tackling contamination in all its various forms and sources, the silver bullet is you – your mentality and your process. When you start to think about all the interconnects you are doing, it can also contaminate your end-face so having a mentality of test, inspect, and clean will allow make you more effective. The workflow below provides a structure which you can refer to in order to develop the right habit.

 What are the benefits of test and inspection?

Ultimately testing and inspection save you time and money. Being able to inspect straight away allows you to make quicker judgements on fixing any problems within the network. This would then save you the time and money it would take to go back later to resolve the issue.

You get improved efficiency as equipment provides you with greater automation. Network testing and inspecting no longer require extensive skill, so any fibre engineer at any level can become more productive.

When building a network, you can use test and inspection tools to make sure that the network-building process is carried out correctly by making sure it is reliable, meets relevant industry standards, and is acceptable to the network owner. You can also consider testing and inspecting individual components as best practice. Using various testing tools can measure the end-to-end readings and also allow you to pinpoint the specific component causing issues.

After the build of the optical network, it is important to do consistent maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure that your network is working at its optimal performance. Regular testing and inspection serve as a proactive approach to network maintenance, enabling the identification of potential issues before they cause network downtime or performance problems. This allows for timely corrective measures to be taken, preventing major disruptions, and minimizing downtime.

Products for test and inspection:

OLTS

• An OLTS test kit measures the optical loss of a fibre optic link by sending a continuous wave of light at a specific wavelength from one end of the fibre and measuring the light received at the other end.
• The measured loss is compared to the expected loss, which is usually calculated before the fibre is installed.
• The OLTS test is used to ensure that the fibre link can meet the specific requirements of its application.

OTDR – FlexScan FS200

• The FlexScan FS200 OTDR is an all-in-one device that can be used to detect, identify, locate, and resolve problems with single-mode fibre optic networks.
• It is designed for use by anyone who works with FTTH PON or point-to-point networks.
• The FS200 automatically sets up tests, shortens test times, and simplifies the interpretation of test results, which saves time and money.

FOCIS Lightning 2

• The FOCIS Lightning 2 is a high-speed fibre optic connector cleaner that can inspect and clean multi-fibre connectors and bulkheads, such as MPO and MTP, in about one second per fibre.
• The FOCIS Lightning 2 is significantly faster than other fibre optic connector cleaners, which can save time and money.

FOCIS Flex

• The FOCIS Flex is a portable device that can be used to inspect fibre optic connectors and bulkheads.
• The FOCIS Flex displays images and Pass/Fail results on its built-in screen.
• The FOCIS Flex can also save inspection results internally or wirelessly transfer them to a paired FlexScan OTDR or a smart device.

Conclusion

At Fujikura Europe, we understand the critical role that testing and inspecting play in maintaining the health and performance of optical networks. Our comprehensive portfolio of test and inspection solutions enables network operators to proactively identify and resolve potential issues, ensuring the continuous operation of their networks and the delivery of reliable connectivity.

We believe that testing and inspection should be an integral part of the optical network lifecycle, from initial installation to ongoing maintenance. By incorporating testing and inspection into every phase of network development, network operators can eliminate costly mistakes, ensure optimal performance, and safeguard their critical infrastructure.

Our commitment to innovation and quality ensures that our test and inspection solutions meet the evolving needs of the telecommunications industry. We provide network operators with the tools they need to build, maintain, and optimize their optical networks, delivering reliable connectivity that powers today’s digital world