1. The document outlines best practices for tier 1 and tier 2 fiber optic cable testing, including cleaning connectors, visual inspections, optical loss testing, and optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing. 2. It describes how to set a single jumper reference for optical loss testing and how to generate an OTDR baseline trace to identify anomalies like splices, connections, and reflections. 3. Proper techniques for cleaning connectors, setting references, analyzing OTDR traces, and identifying common anomalies are discussed to ensure accurate fiber testing.

1. Best Practices Tier I and Tier II Testing Telecommunication AT&S Conference

3. Field Testing

5. Basic Field Tests Source/Meter Attenuation Test (Tier 1) OTDR (Tier 2)

6. Cleaning & Visual Inspection

7. Cleaning tools of the trade VFI 2 Cletop & Cleaner VS300 OTDR w Probe One-Click OFI200

10. Basic Visual/Continuity Check

12. Basic Light Test Continuity Visual Fault Identifier AKA “VFI”

14. The Connector End-Face Body oil (don’t touch the connector end-face!) Multimode Connector

15. Light Source & Power Meter

21. Verify (Rx) jumper Do not disturb Tx jumper at OLS Rx jumper 3. Verify Rx jumper TIA allows 0.75 dB 0.3-0.5 dB typical Adapter Light Source Optical Power Meter Tx jumper ANSI/TIA/EIA-526-14 Method B Change OPM adapter cap (if necessary) 4. Separate the jumpers at the adapter and begin testing ONE-JUMPER REFERENCE

22. The OTDR

24. OTDR Block Diagram Control Unit Laser Transmitter Detector LCD Display Splitter Fiber Under Test

26. Generating an OTDR Baseline Trace Intermediate Cross Connect Splice Main Cross-Connect A A B B B A A B Fiber Ring Pulse Suppressor Horizontal Cross-Connect Pulse Suppressor

27. Backscatter Backscatter portions of an OTDR trace show power (in the fiber) vs. distance Power (dB) Distance Backscatter

30. Range Too short : less than link length Link Can’t see entire link – unpredictable results Good : about 1.5x to 2x link length Link Good trace – can see end of fiber Too long : much larger than link length Link Trace is “squashed” into left side of display

31. Pulse Width Too wide: Can’t resolve events About right: Events can be seen and trace is smooth Too narrow: Trace “disappears” into noise floor Link Link Link Where is this event?

33. Averages (Time) Too many Trace is smooth but may waste time with little improvement About right: Trace is smooth Too few: Trace is noisy – noise floor is too high Link Link Link

35. OTDR Trace Mechanical Connection Dead Zone 0 200 400 600 800 End Spike Distance Attenuation (dB) Fusion Splice Ghost Reflection

42. Website: www.AFLglobal.com Click on: AFL Telecommunications / Products >> Noyes Test and Inspection Address: AFL 16 Eastgate Park Road Belmont, NH 03220 Telephone: 800-321-5298 (USA) 603-528-7780 ask for Technical Support or Sales Fax: 603-528-2025 To contact Noyes Fiber Systems