The Corning Pretium EDGE® Tap Module allows passive tapping into optical networks for monitoring purposes. The modules contain splitters that divide each optical signal into two
outputs, one for network link traffic and one for monitoring.
How to Use the DTX-EFM2 Fiber Modules to Test Installed Corning Multimode Pretium EDGE® Tap
1. How to Use the DTX-EFM2 Fiber Modules to
Test Installed Corning Multimode Pretium
EDGE® Tap
Note these important points regarding measuring loss through an EDGE Tap
Module:
• Because the splitters in the tap module have low loss in one direc-
tion and high loss in the other direction, you measure loss through
the module in one direction only (no bi-directional tests).
• The splitters in the multimode tap modules are optimized for
850 nm VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers), so you test
at only 850 nm.
• The network links through the LIVE port on the tap module to the
EDGE module at the far end are duplex, so you test them with the
DTX in Smart Remote mode. The links through the TAP port are all
outputs, so you test them with the DTX in Far End Source mode.
Required Equipment
• DTX CableAnalyzer main and remote testers
• Two DTX-EFM2 Fiber Modules
• Two SC/LC EF-TRC test reference cords
• Two LC/LC 50 μm multimode test reference cords
• One duplex LC/LC adapter or two simplex LC/LC adapters
• One MTP/LC 12-fiber fan-out cable with Corning Universal polarity
• Fiber inspection microscope (such as the FT500 FiberInspector
Microscope) with LC adapter
• Fiber cleaning supplies for LC and MTP connectors
The Corning Pretium EDGE® Tap
Module allows passive tapping
into optical networks for mon-
itoring purposes. The modules
contain splitters that divide
each optical signal into two
outputs, one for network link
traffic and one for monitoring.
To ensure that the installed
module operates correctly and
to meet the requirements for
Corning warranty coverage, you
must measure the loss of the
network links with the module
installed. Optionally, you can
also measure the loss of the
tap links from the module to
ensure that the links to your
monitoring equipment operate
correctly.
Calculating the Loss Budgets
To have a test limit that accounts for the losses of the splitters and MTP connectors, you calculate loss budgets for
each of the three paths you will test. Then you make a custom test limit that uses your loss budget values. The cus-
tom limit is based on the 1000BASE-SX limit, which specifies tests at only 850 nm.
You calculate loss budgets for these three paths of each link, which are shown in Figure 1:
• The network link. Note that if the network links are different lengths, you will need to calculate a budget for
each link.
• The tap port link from the near end (optional).
• The tap port link from the far end (optional). Note that if the network links are different lengths, you will
need to calculate a budget for each link.
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
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Pretium EDGE
Module
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TRC
TRC
Near End Far End
DTX in Smart
Remote mode
EF-TRC 2 EF-TRC 1
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Tap port fan-out cable
(Corning Universal polarity)
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
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Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
Connect to
odd-numbered
connectors
9
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5
3
2
4
6
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10
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Near End Far End
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Do not
disconnect
the output port
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
EF-TRC
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
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2
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
10
8
6
4
12
10
8
6
4
2
Near End Far End
Tap port fan-out cable
(Corning Universal polarity)
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
EF-TRC
Component Maximum loss (dB)*
OM4 EDGE trunk fiber 2.8 dB/km (0.00085 dB/ft)
MTP® mated pair loss 0.35
LC mated pair loss 0.15
50/50 splitter inside the EDGE Tap Module 3.8
30/70 splitter inside the EDGE Tap Module 6.6/1.8
*Insertion loss when mated to other system components with similar performance specifications.
Table 1 shows the values to use for your loss budget calculations.
4. Figure 2 shows an example of a loss budget calculation for a test from the far end through the tap port and through
a fan-out cable. Note that the loss of the LC connection at the end of the fan-out cable is not included in this ex-
ample.
The calculation includes the loss of a 600 m trunk fiber and a 10 m tap port fan-out cable:
• Loss for 600 m of OM4 EDGE trunk fiber for a network link: 2.8 dB/km x .6 km = 1.68 dB
• Loss for 10 m of OM4 EDGE trunk fiber for a tap port harness: 2.8 dB/km x .01 km = 0.028 dBB
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Tap port fan-out cable
(Corning Universal polarity)
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
B
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MADEINMEXICO
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Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
Connect to
odd-numbered
connectors
9
7
5
3
2
4
6
8
10
12
Near End Far End
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Do not
disconnect
the output port
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
EF-TRC
Figure 2. Example of a Loss Budget Calculation for Testing Network Links
For more examples of loss budget calculations, see the Corning Standard Recommended Procedure (SRP) document
number 003-126 on the Corning web site.
5. Setting Up a Custom Test Limit
Next, make a custom test limit that will include your loss budget values. The first loss budget value you enter will be
for the first network link you will test.
1. Turn the rotary switch to SETUP.
2. Select Fiber Loss.
3. On the Fiber Loss screen, set the Remote End Setup to Smart Remote and set Bi-Directional to No.
4. Select Test Limit.
5. On the Test Limit screen, press F1 More, then select Custom.
6. Press F1 Create.
7. Select Name, enter a name for your limit, then press SAVE.
8. Select Use Default Values From.
9. On the Use Default Values From screen, select Application, then select 1000BASE-SX.
10. On the Custom screen, select Maximum Length.
11. Set the maximum length to a value that is longer than the longest trunk in the fiber network, then press
SAVE.
12. On the Custom screen, select Maximum Loss at 850 nm.
13. Set the Maximum Loss at 850 nm to the calculated budget for the first network link you will test, then press
SAVE. Note that if the network links are different lengths, you will need to change this value accordingly
before you test each link.
14. On the Custom screen, press SAVE to save the custom limit.
15. Highlight your new custom limit, then press ENTER to select it.
On the settings tabs of the Fiber Loss screen, select these settings:
• Fiber Type: OM4 Multimode 50
• Number of Adapters/Number of Splices: Not used, since you will calculate the loss budget manually
• Connector Type: LC
• Test Method: 1 Jumper
Testing the Network Links
The network links are duplex connections, so you can use Smart Remote mode to test both fibers in each link.
Set the Reference for Smart Remote Mode
1. Turn on the main and remote DTX testers and let them sit for 5 minutes. Allow additional time if the modules
have been stored above or below ambient temperature.
2. Turn the rotary switch to SETUP, then select Fiber Loss.
3. Select Remote End Setup, then select Smart Remote.
4. Turn the rotary switch to SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, then select Set Reference. If both a fiber module and a twist-
ed pair or coaxial adapter are attached, select Fiber Module next.
6. 5. Clean and inspect the connectors on the tester, remote, and test reference cords. Connect the tester and
remote as shown in Figure 3 for setting the reference.
6. Press TEST
7. The View Reference screen shows the reference values and the date and time the reference was set. For
50/125 μm, the reference values should be better than -24.50 dBm where -23.50 dBm is better than
-24.50 dBm. If the values are good, press F2 OK. If not, clean all fiber connections and set the reference
again.
8. Press F2 OK.
Figure 3. Reference and TRC Test Connections for Smart Remote Mode
EF-TRC 1
EF-TRC 2
EF-TRC 1
EF-TRC 2
TRC test
connections
Reference
connections
Additional
TRC
Additional
TRC
7. Next, verify that the test reference cords (TRCs) you will add are good:
1. Disconnect the test reference cords from the INPUT ports on the tester and smart remote.
2. Make the connections shown in Figure 3 for testing the TRCs.
3. Turn the rotary switch to AUTOTEST, then press TEST.
4. Press ENTER to see the test results. The loss for each fiber (Input Fiber and Output Fiber) in both directions
must be no more than 0.15 dB at 850 nm. If the loss is too high, clean the connections you made for the
TRC test and do the test again. Remember not to disconnect the fibers from the DTX output ports. If you do,
you must set the reference again.
5. Save the test results to show that you used good test reference cords to test the fiber links.
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
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2
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TRC
TRC
Near End Far End
DTX in Smart
Remote mode
EF-TRC 2 EF-TRC 1
8. Testing the Tap Port Links
It’s not necessary to test the tap port links to meet Corning’s requirements for warranty coverage, but you may want
to do so to make sure your tap port links are good.
Note that this article shows the TAP port connected to a Corning Universal polarity fan-out cable. You can also con-
nect the TAP port to another Pretium EDGE module. In that case, you would add another MTP and LC mated pair loss
to your loss budget, and you would connect the DTX tester to the LC ports in the module.
TAP Port Connections
When you connect the remote to the EDGE Tap module at the near end, you measure the tap port link’s loss at the
odd numbered connectors on the tap port fan-out cable or EDGE module connected to the tap port. When you con-
nect the remote to the EDGE module at the far end, you measure the tap port link’s loss at the even-numbered con-
nectors on the tap port fan-out cable or EDGE module connected to the tap port. Figure 5 shows these connections.
Figure 5. Connections from the Near and Far End Modules to the TAP Port Cable
Set the Reference for Far End Source Mode
Because all of the tap port connections are outputs, you will use Far End Source mode to test all the tap port links
in the same direction, one at a time. Set the reference and test your test reference cords (TRCs) as follows:
1. Turn on the main and remote DTX testers and let them sit for 5 minutes. Allow additional time if the modules
have been stored above or below ambient temperature.
9. 2. Turn the rotary switch to SETUP, then select Fiber Loss.
3. Select Remote End Setup, then select Far End Source.
4. Clean and inspect the connectors on the tester, smart remote, and test reference cords. Connect the tester
and smart remote as shown in Figure 6 for setting the reference.
5. On the smart remote, hold down the button next to the VFL port for approximately 3 seconds to turn on the
OUTPUT port at 850 nm. The LED is red for 850 nm and green for 1300 nm.
6. Turn the rotary switch to SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, then select Set Reference. If both a fiber module and a twist-
ed pair or coaxial adapter are attached, select Fiber Module next.
7. Press TEST.
8. The View Reference screen shows the reference value and the date and time the reference was set. For
50/125 μm, the reference value should be better than -24.50 dBm where -23.50 dBm is better than
-24.50 dBm. If the value is good, press F2 OK. If not, clean all fiber connections and set the reference again.
9. Press F2 OK.
Figure 6. Reference and TRC Test Connections for Far End Source Mode
10. Next, verify that the test reference cord (TRC) you will add is good:
1. Disconnect the test reference cords from the INPUT port on the tester.
2. Make the connections shown in Figure 6 for testing the TRC.
3. Turn the rotary switch to AUTOTEST, then press TEST.
4. Press ENTER to see the test results. The loss must be no more than 0.15 dB at 850 nm. If the loss is too
high, clean the connections you made for the TRC test and do the test again. Remember not to disconnect
the fiber from the remote’s output port. If you do, you must also set the reference again.
5. Save the test results to show that you used a good test reference cord to test the fiber links.
Test the Tap Port Links from the Near End
1. Change the value for the Maximum Loss at 850 nm in your custom limit to the applicable loss budget value
for the fiber path from the near end through the tap port.
2. Clean and inspect the even-numbered LC connectors on the EDGE Tap module (near end) and the odd-num-
bered connectors on the tap port fan-out cable or third EDGE module.
3. Make the connections shown in Figure 7 if you will do the test through a fan-out cable, or in Figure 8 if you
will do the test through a third EDGE module.
4. Make sure the smart remote’s OUTPUT port is still transmitting at 850 nm (LED is solid red).
5. Turn the rotary switch to AUTOTEST, then press ENTER.
6. If the test passes, save the results. If it fails, clean and inspect the connections again, or troubleshoot as
necessary, then test again.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for all tap port links.
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Tap port fan-out cable
(Corning Universal polarity)
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
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11
1
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
Connect to
odd-numbered
connectors
9
7
5
3
2
4
6
8
10
12
Near End Far End
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Do not
disconnect
the output port
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
EF-TRC
Figure 7. Connections for Testing the Tap Port Links from the Near End through a Fan-Out Cable
12. EF-TRC
B
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
B
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5
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PnPModule
PartNumber
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MADEINMEXICO
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Do not
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the output port
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
12
10
8
6
4
2
Near End Far End
12
2
108
64
B
6
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11 A
B
5
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B
4
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B
3
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5 A
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B
1
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1 A
WAR
RANTY
VOID
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Pretium EDGE
Module
TRC
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
Figure 8. Connections for Testing the Tap Port Links from the Near End through an EDGE Module
13. Test the Tap Port Links from the Far End
1. Change the value for the Maximum Loss at 850 nm in your custom limit to the applicable loss budget value
for the first tap port link you will test from the far end through the tap port.
2. Clean and inspect the even-numbered LC connectors on the EDGE module (far end) and the even-numbered-
connectors on the tap port fan-out cable or third EDGE module.
3. Make the connections shown in Figure 9 if you will do the test through a fan-out cable, or in Figure 10 if you
will do the test through a third EDGE module.
4. Make sure the smart remote’s OUTPUT port is still transmitting at 850 nm (LED is solid red).
5. Turn the rotary switch to AUTOTEST, then press ENTER.
6. If the test passes, save the results. If it fails, clean and inspect the connections again, or troubleshoot as
necessary,then test again.
7. If the network links are different lengths, change the value for the Maximum Loss at 850 nm in your custom
limit to the applicable loss budget value for the next tap port link.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for all the tap port links.
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
B
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PnPModule
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MADEINMEXICO
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Do not
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the output port12
2
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
10
8
6
4
12
10
8
6
4
2
Near End Far End
Tap port fan-out cable
(Corning Universal polarity)
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
EF-TRC
Figure 9. Connections for Testing the Tap Port Links from the Far End through a Fan-Out Cable
14. EF-TRC
B
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Link under test
Pretium EDGE Tap
Module
Pretium EDGE
Module
B
6
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PnPModule
PartNumber
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MADEINMEXICO
5
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WARRANTY
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Do not
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the output port
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
12
10
8
6
4
2
Near End Far End
12
2
108
64
B
6
12
11 A
B
5
10
9 A
B
4
8
7 A
B
3
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PnP
M
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MA
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CO
5 A
B
2
4
3 A
B
1
2
1 A
WAR
RANTY
VOID
Connect to
even-numbered
connectors
DTX in
Far End Source
mode
Pretium EDGE
Module
TRC
Smart remote with
OUTPUT port transmitting
at 850 nm (LED is solid red)
Figure 10. Connections for Testing the Tap Port Links from the Far End through an EDGE Module