Keysight Technologies 86120B, User Manual

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23
Getting Started
Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements
Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements
Today, advances in measurement capabilities make connectors and connection tech-
niques more important than ever. Damage to the connectors on calibration and veri-
fication devices, test ports, cables, and other devices can degrade measurement
accuracy and damage instruments. Replacing a damaged connector can cost thou-
sands of dollars, not to mention lost time! This expense can be avoided by observing
the simple precautions presented in this book. This book also contains a brief list of
tips for caring for electrical connectors.
Choosing the Right Connector
A critical but often overlooked factor in making a good lightwave measurement is
the selection of the fiber-optic connector. The differences in connector types are
mainly in the mechanical assembly that holds the ferrule in position against another
identical ferrule. Connectors also vary in the polish, curve, and concentricity of the
core within the cladding. Mating one style of cable to another requires an adapter.
Keysight Technologies offers adapters for most instruments to allow testing with
many different cables.
Figure 1-1 on page 24 shows the basic components of a typi-
cal connectors.
The system tolerance for reflection and insertion loss must be known when selecting
a connector from the wide variety of currently available connectors. Some items to
consider when selecting a connector are:
• How much insertion loss can be allowed?
• Will the connector need to make multiple connections? Some connectors are better
than others, and some are very poor for making repeated connections.
• What is the reflection tolerance? Can the system take reflection degradation?
• Is an instrument-grade connector with a precision core alignment required?
• Is repeatability tolerance for reflection and loss important? Do your specifications