Things you must know about fiber optic testing!

Today serving as the backbone of networks in almost every college, university, institutions and biggest MNCs, fiber optics has revolutionized the telecommunication industry like never before. Made out of transparent delicate fibers, optic fiber is the core ingredient of present day communication networks.
Serving fast and reliable data communication regardless of the distance involved, this technology has replaced all the conventional Medias of communication.

fiber optic testing is a crucial aspects of this technology. The main purpose of testing is to evaluate the performance of optical fibers and to check all the quality standards. It is used to check the quality of components of fiber cable and its system and to detect any potential fault. The components tested include connectors, light source or LED, detectors, receiver and splices, etc. This is used to confirm the specifications related to performance and quality.

There is special equipment that is used for testing purpose depending on the type of components being checked. Before performing the testing, keep in mind, the following points.

Make sure that you have the right fiber optic testing equipment such as:

• Cable trace or fault locator
• Optical fiber kit and power meter
• Coupling adapters
• Optical loss testing set (OLTS)
• Alcohol for cleaning
• Cleaning wipes
Make sure that you have proper knowledge of how to perform the testing. You should know how to use each and every testing tool. Read the instructions in the manual carefully to have a fair idea of how to go about testing the optical fiber cables. Before beginning the testing, make sure that all of the tools are working fine and properly. Unless you are fully aware and well equipped with the know-hows, it is best to take help of a professional fiber optic testing company.

One should have a proper understanding of the network layout under testing and inspection. If the person conducting the testing is well aware of the design, structure and layout of the network, fault finding and troubleshooting would be much easier. The testing phase is carried out alongside inspection also which is used to ensure there is no loss of light in the fiber optic media. Primarily there are two reasons behind the loss in signal, namely; damage and contamination.

Contamination: This happens on the ferrule (connector used for connecting fiber cable). It can happen because of simply touching the cable. Other reasons are dust particles, oil or any other small-charged particles that gets stick to the ferrule.

Damage: cables get damaged due to crack, scratches, pits or chips, etc. It can also happen due to poor coupling between cables. By now you must have known the important aspects of testing fiber optics and the associated requirements. For more details just go through my profile link:https://plus.google.com/u/0/112981337829189413685

Steps to clean fiber optic cable!

In order to have quality connections in a fiber optic system there is need of regular fiber optic cleaning. This is because if any dust particles, oil or lint gets accumulated in the cable it would degrade the optic signal. Apart from this these particles also cause few other problems like misalignment between the core cables, instability in the system and scratching the glass surface. Consequently this is the reason why it’s essential to clean fiber optic cable.

However, in order to clean the cables various fiber optic cleaning products are available in the market. These are categorized in 4 types:

• Abrasive cleaning
• Non-abrasive cleaning
• Dry cleaning
• Wet cleaning

Though before applying any of the above mentioned cleaning method, there are few steps that are must to follow:

• Before starting with the cleaning procedure, one must make sure that the cable is disconnected.
• Safety glasses should be worn
• Before cleaning, inspection is must to be done
• While cleaning, end face of the cable should never be touched
• Once the wet cleaning process is completed, dry cleaning method should be instant next step of cleaning procedure.
• Cleaning material also comprise of the use of alcohol, which is a flammable and should be avoided when there are any open sparks around
• Don’t leave alcohol on the end face of the cable as it would damage the whole cable when connected back into the system.

Now, once you are familiarized with the dos and don’ts of cleaning process here is step by step procedure of cleaning fiber optic cable:

• First and foremost step before cleaning is to make sure that the fiber optic cable is unplugged from the electronic system.
• Then hold the end of the cable and spray it with canned air. It is used to blow the dirty air particles, which are stored on the fiber optic cable.
• After using the spray, use lint free swab to further carry the process of cleaning. Hold the end of the cable, insert it into the swab tip and rotate the swab.
• Then use a piece of lens paper, fold it in half, apply 1 tsp. of isopropyl alcohol over it, wrap it over the cable and move it along the entire cable to remove the dust and dirt.
• Last but not the least, once the whole cleaning process is completed plug back the cable into the device but do make sure that you do not tough the cables end, while plugging.
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Fiber Optic: Need for cleaning and cleaning methods

21st century is has witnessed profound changes in the information technology introduced diversely around the globe. There has been an incomparable improvement in the ways and devices used for fast communications. An important concept that has revolutionized the ways of communication is the concept of optical fiber.

Although, fiber optic technology sounds like twenty first centaury’s technology, many of us are unknown to it. The principal idea (use of light for communication) that functions behind this miraculous technology was original given, in the year 1790, by Claude Chappe, a French inventor. Later, in the year 1840, two scientists Daniel Colladon and Jacques Babinet, tried the same principle in an experiment “guiding a light from reflection”. From that time, the development in the area of fiber optic technology is consistent.

Concept:

Optical fiber is a flexible and thin wire of glass or plastic which works as a waveguide, or “light pipe to transmit light signals from one end of the fiber to another. As mentioned before, this communication media use the concept of light for communication which is a major advantage of regular or conventional wired media because light accelerates at much faster rate than electric current and provide greater bandwidth, thus results in faster communication (regardless the distance between two locations). Need for cleaning:

Less prone to any type of interference which results in prevention of data loss, there is an important concept that requires extra carefulness to be taken is cleaning of fiber optic. In general, optical fiber connectors require frequent connection and disconnection for transmissions and these repeated actions leave trash in the device. The most obvious effect of these materials (Dust, oils from hands, and other contamination) is data loss and decrease in their ability to transmit signal at fast rate. Even one micrometer of such dust particles can signal disorder and huge data loss. Therefore, optical fibers need to tested and cleaned after regular intervals.

Methods of ferrule cleaning: Mentioned below are different types of approaches used to clean optical cable:

• Compressed gas cleaning: Also known as canned air or compressed air, this approach of cleaning blows the dust particles out from the ferrule of the cable connector.
• Air Free wipes and solvents: In this method, dust particles are removed using special fiber optic cleaning products like cloth, lens paper, and solvent with a solvent, typically IPA (isopropyl alcohol).
• Swabs: Swabs are specifically designed head fit into the connector face. They are free of fibers, and adhesives; will leave no residue after cleaning. One important thing about these cleaning products is that they work well as solvent applicator.

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Types of testing performed through fiber optic testing equipment!

Definitely we can find fiber cables and wires in most of the electronic devices. However, in order to have proper functioning of these cables fiber optic testing is needed to be performed.

Usually three types of testing called visual inspection, loss testing, and network testing are performed with the help of fiber optic testing equipment that comprise of source and power meter, fiber tracer, cleaning material, optical time domain reflector and more.

Now, let’s have a glance over the 3 types of testing performed through fiber testing equipment’s:

Visual testing-This type of testing is performed to diagnose the problems of breaking, bending or cracking in the cables. Series of steps involved in visual testing are:

• Firstly, one end of the fiber cable is needed to be connected with fault locater tool.
• After attaching one end of the cable with the fiber optic tracer tool view the other end to note the light being transmitted through the fiber core. If there is no light emitted then you need to recheck the cable connection.
• Subsequently, attaching both the cables ends, one to the visual tracer transmitter and other with the receiver, then use high powered visual tracer to find the faulty areas in the fiber cable. Thus a red light emitting from the tool would help you spectacle the breaks in fibers.

Optical loss testing-Once it has been tested that where the areas of fault are, then comes the second step of identifying optical loss testing. The term optical loss testing describes the difference of the amount of light being passed from one end of the cable and the amount of light being released from the other end of the cable. Following are series of steps under it:

• First of all connect the tests cables to the reference cables.
• After doing so, connect the end of the testing cable to the test source.
• Then power meter is needed to be attached with the receiving end of the reference cable.
• Later, with the help of test source send light signal to the tests cable
• Lastly, at the receiving end of the reference cable note down the reading with the help of power meter that would let you know what amount of light is being emitted from the cables.

Network testing- In a network areas, light travelling through cables can handle gentle curves but if there are kinks in cable then the light would not be able to travel further to the receiver end. Thus in order to know where the problem is in the cable, optical time domain reflector (OTDR) equipment is being used for fiber optic testing. It shoots the light in the cable and then note down from, which point does the light reverts back. Thus OTDR gets the signal from the point where the light was backscattered.

Moreover,Contact-Us for the diffrent network area for the fiber cable networks and more.

Some commonly used products for cleaning fiber optics

Though the idea of fiber optics may sound quite contemporary and belonging to 21st century, but a fact that many people are not aware of is that this super-fast telecommunication technology has its roots way back in the year 1790. The concept is quite primitive and old.

The basic principles of this miraculously fast technology was experimented back then by Claude Chappe when he first experimented with optical fiber in a telegraphic concept but failed. It was later in the year 1840, that two scientists namely Jacques Babinet and Daniel Colladon first explained its principle, through an experiment that involved protecting light from reflection. Since then, fiber technology has bloomed at a lightning fast speed that now serves as the backbone of telecom industry.

In addition to providing fast data transmission, numerous industries are making excellent use of optical fibers such as internal medical examination, dentistry and countless others. However, to keep this technology running smoothing without any interruptions, it is very essential to keep fiber optic connectors clean.

The reason behind cleaning optics is that data flows in the form of light signals which cannot be transmitted if fiber cables are not clean. Even the slightest of dirt, dust particles or stain can cause huge signal distraction. To ensure clean fibers, fiber optic cleaning products should be used. Although, there are various equipment in the market for fiber optic cleaning purpose, but some of the most popular methods has been discussed below. Take a look:

• Compressed gas – This technique of cleaning fiber optic connectors is quite similar to a canned air. It blows out dust and rubbish from the end of connector. But there is one drawback of this technique. The drawback is that it fails to remove dust particles which are less than 3 microns in size.
• Air free solvents and wipes – The main purpose of this method is to remove the dirt particles off the fiber connector by using a special cloth, solvent or lens paper. The most commonly used solvent is IPA that dries off the cables without hampering the signal. The major limitation of this technique is that its success of usage depends on the skills and expertise of technician performing the cleaning.
• Swabs: It is a specially designed instrument for cleaning fiber optic and is used very commonly. Although this is also a good technique to clean fiber connectors, but this one also has certain limits of usage.

Ferrule cleaner (AFC 3000) is the most advanced instrument used till now used by professionals. When it comes to cleaning delicate stuff like fiber optics, it is best suggested to take help of professional fiber optic testing and cleaning company.

Detail of fiber optic cleaning methods and the products used!

Fiber optic cables are a backbone of most of the industries like telecommunication, medical, networking and many more. Thus with regular interval of time these are needed to be cleaned in order to have proper functioning. This is because dust particles, skin oil and hair particles do get accumulate, which halts the working of cable.

So, in order to remove dust from fiber optic cables there is need for cleaning products However, most of the people would think of using a wet cloth to do the same. But this is not a good option because instead of cleaning the cable it would destroy the wires of cable.

Now let’s have a look at 2 methods of cleaning and type of products, which are being used to clean the fiber cables. Each method comprise of various products under it, which has its own purpose to solve. Methods of cleaning:

• Wet cleaning: Use of solvent
• Dry cleaning: No use of solvent

On the basis of categorization of cleaning methods, products used for cleaning are also different in both the methods.
Wet cleaning products:

• Alcohol with lint free wipes: Till today this is the first and foremost way of cleaning. In other words it is also has been regarded as a traditional way of cleaning. A few drops of solvent called alcohol are being put over wipes, which is then further used to clean the cable. Once the wet cleaning is done, dry cleaning step (use of air duster or dry lint free wipes) is followed in order to prevent the solvent residue in the cable.
• Soaked wipes: Second method to clean cables is via the use of soaked wipes, which are durable and non-linting (layer of cotton pad that is non- adherent non-woven fabric). It is the best method to clean the glass fiber or connectors end faces.

Dry cleaning: Usually this process is considered after the wet cleaning procedure in order to dry the solvent being used over fiber cable.

• Air spray: It is dry up solvent, which is used after wet cleaning process. Loose particles that are accumulated over the fiber optic cable and connector they can easily be removed with the air spray.
• Lint free wipes: These wipes are the best medium to clean the end face of the fiber optic cable connector.
• Cletop stick: These are used to clean adapters, receptacles and connector matting sleeves. The cletop stick is inserted into adapters or receptacles, when the tip comes in contact with connector enface it is given a single turn and then pulled out and disposed (because a single stick can only be used once for cleaning fiber optic).
• In-situ cleaning: This is ideal for cleaning transceiver ports. The push button is pressed and ferrule end face cleaner cleans the connectors.
• Reel connector cleaner: This is the most quickest and reliable way of dry cleaning process. It comprises of 2 things that are used for cleaning- polyester cloth and reel cleaner tape.
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Select a good fiber optic maintenance provider and remain tension-free!

Fiber optics is one of the most innovative discoveries of mankind and they are widely used across the telecommunication, electronic and medical industries besides others. This means that a lot of work depends on them and if they err, it can lead to problems for these industries. Imagine the slightest delay in the transmission of a highly important data on the internet? It might tend to make a life altering change, if the information was classified and meant for defense purposes in a country!

This is an extreme example of the result of fiber optics failure. However on a notch lower, there can be the loss of data, time and money if fiber optics doesn’t function in the most efficient manner. So this means that there is dire need for maintaining the ‘health and wellness’ of these optic cables and wires.

When looking for a service provider for the maintenance and support of the optics, you need to make sure that they use the best fiber optic testing equipment so that your products are not only clean and function to the fullest of their capabilities, but also look as good as new for a long time.

While you can opt for preliminary cleaning measures such as the use of air sprays, lint-free wipes and swabs for cleaning fiber optic machinery on your own, it is always advisable to seek expert help when in doubt. Here are chances that you strike the wrong chords and do irreparable damages to the fiber optics if you are not careful. This is why trusting the best service providers in the industry, is a much sensible option!

While selecting a company to deal with your optic cables, make sure that you research and check their background well. They need to be certified service providers with a clean record. You wouldn’t want to trust someone who has a past criminal or forgery record. It would only mean risking your products as well as a lot of money. Counterfeits are common in this industry, and this is what makes it essential for you to make sure that the service provider you choose is the best option money could fetch you.

In the end, it is essential to ensure that the firm you choose is adept in providing on time support for fiber optic testing, so that you can trust them even at the oddest of hours. Going through various industry-options, you are bound to find a worthy one according to your needs. If you want the good products detail in fiber optics then just subscribe to our GOOGLE+