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FiberLink 3380 Series User’s Manual
FiberLink 3380 Series
Maintenance and Repairs | Certifications
Operating Pointers
Remember to check attenuation of the fiber optic cable . The system will only operate
properly if these specifications fall within the range of the system’s loss budget .
Note: If no signal is applied to the 3380 Transmitter, no optical power will be present on the
3380 Transmitter’s output .
Troubleshooting
Multimode fiber optic cable contains an optical fiber with a light carrying “core” that is
only .0025 inches (62 .5 microns) in diameter . Single mode fiber optic cable has an even
smaller “core,” only .00032 to .0004 inches (8-10 microns) . This is smaller than a human hair!
Therefore, any minute particles of dirt or dust can easily block the fiber from accepting or
radiating light . To prevent this from happening, always use the provided dust caps when
ever optical connectors are exposed to air . It is also a good idea to gently clean the tip of an
optical connector with a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol whenever dust is suspected .
The status of the LEDs should provide the first clue as to the origin of any operational
failure . If these are off, it usually means that the fiber is broken or has too much attenuation .
Next, be certain that the input and output signal connections are correct .
An optical power meter, such as the FiberLink 6615, a visible light source, such as the
FiberLink 6610, and a Three Wavelength Light Source, such as the FiberLink 6620, can
greatly assist and expedite troubleshooting of fiber optic transmission systems and are
recommended tools all installers should have available .
Finally, although multimode and single mode devices may look the same, they will not
operate properly together . Using the wrong device or fiber can easily add more attenuation
than specified, resulting in poor overall performance . It should be noted that some of our
fiber optic products support both single mode and multimode fiber in the same unit .
If, after reviewing the above possibilities, the system is still not operating, please contact
the Customer Service Department for further assistance . If you suspect your problem is
caused by the optics or the fiber optic cable, and you have an optical power meter, please
take the appropriate measurements prior to contacting support .
