Confidence with Cable Certification – Part 2: Fiber Optics
A few weeks ago, I introduced the topic of cable certification and covered in detail the importance of certifying your category cable wiring. This is critical to ensuring that workstation devices, phones, wireless access points, cameras, and building automation systems come online and stay online. However, this horizontal link of the network is just one component, serving a relatively small area back to a telecommunications room (TR). These TRs utilize fiber optic backbone cables that connect TR spaces to one another.
A good example of this is a corporate multi-building campus, where fiber backbone cabling connects the primary campus equipment room—housing data storage, application servers, and the network service provider handoff—to another building’s main distribution frame (MDF). Additional fiber links extend from the MDF to intermediate distribution frames (IDFs). On large campuses, such as public universities, there may be hundreds of fiber links transmitting data from thousands of devices to a centralized location. Given the critical role of this data funneling, certifying these fiber cables is a must.
At Wired, we use the Fluke Networks Versiv Platform, which allows us the flexibility to test both copper category cabling and backbone fiber optic cabling with a simple module swap. The CertiFiber Pro OLTS and OptiFiber Pro OTDR provide multiple options for testing and certifying backbone fiber, depending on the application.
The CertiFiber Pro Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) enables us to certify all installed fiber strands with an auto-test that measures the optical loss of two fibers at two wavelengths while also providing distance measurement and immediate Pass/Fail analysis based on industry standards for all multimode and singlemode fiber types. Interchangeable adapters support all fiber connector types, making this the industry standard for ensuring fully functional backbone fiber connectivity.
The OptiFiber Pro Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) complements optical loss testing for additional certification but is most effective in troubleshooting and identifying faults in existing fiber cables. OTDR testing can be conducted across multiple wavelengths for both multimode and singlemode fiber in environments ranging from large campuses to data centers—offering the added benefit of being able to test from just one end of the cable.
Additionally, utilizing accessories such as the Fluke Fiber Inspection Video Probe allows for a visual inspection of each connector’s end face. These images can be captured and included with test result data, offering a top-tier advantage when working with industry professionals.
Certification and extended warranties are only available to contractors who invest in the equipment necessary to give you confidence in your infrastructure investment! If you have further questions regarding cable certification testing—whether for a new or existing facility—or would like more in-depth content on copper category and/or fiber optic certification testing, please reach out to us.
Written by General Manager: Nick Bowsher