NOTICE TO NEW USERS:
All personnel testing optical fibers should be adequately trained in the field of fiber optics before using any fiber optic
test equipment.
If the user is not completely familiar with testing fiber optics, they should seek professional training. Such training can
be acquired from a variety of sources, such as local hands-on training classes.
Valuable information about fiber optic testing can also be gathered from reading printed literature carefully or by
thoroughly reading supplied operations manuals.
Fiber optic testers vary from other types of test equipment due to issues such as:
1) standards-based testing
2) proper fiber optic test procedures (FOTPs)
3) "zeroing" or referencing of power levels
4) determining the correct link budget to pass or fail by
Complete understanding of each of these issues is critical for performing proper fiber optic tests.
GETTING STARTED
Thank you for your purchase of this OWL certification test kit. Included in this kit is a Fiber OWL 4 BOLT optical power
meter and a WaveSource multimode fiber optic light source. This quick reference guide will assist you in setting up
your test kit for a standards-based certification test.
BEFORE YOU TEST
Prior to performing a certification test, there are a few things you need to know about your link:
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Fiber Type
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Fiber Length
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Number of Connections (i.e. patch panels)
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Number of Splices
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Fiber Cabling Standard
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Connector Type
It is also important to understand the definition of a fiber optic link as it pertains to the Fiber OWL 4 BOLT:
A link is a group of fibers that have the same characteristics, and follow the same pathway from one end to
the other.
Also, ensure that your patch cable connectors match the patch panel ports on the link under test.