OTDR Launch Cable Box, Launch Lead, Launch Reel, Launch Fiber
OTDR Dead Zone:
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is used for testing the fiber optic cables. It can measure splice loss, insertion loss, return loss, fiber length and locate fiber breaks.
However, OTDR has Dead Zone which affects the testing accuracy. To overcome the limitation of OTDR Dead Zone, OTDR Launch Cable should be used.
OTDR Launch Cable Box, Launch Lead, Launch Reel, Launch Fiber:
OTDR Launch Cable is also named like OTDR Launch Lead, or OTDR Launch Reel, or OTDR Launch Fiber, or pulse suppressor, or OTDR Fiber Ring.
OTDR Launch Cable is used to connect OTDR and fiber under test to measure the insertion loss of the near-end connection of fiber optic network. It is necessary when using OTDR to measure complete link loss of optical fiber. It reveals the insertion loss and reflectance of the near-end connection of optical fibers.
Q: Is OTDR Launch Cable necessary when using an OTDR?
A: Yes, it is necessary.
OTDR Launch Cable can minimize the effect of OTDR dead zone away from the first connection in the fiber under test.
OTDR Dead Zone is caused by high return of reflection affected by the pulse width of OTDR.
OTDR Launch Cable with 500 meters, 1km or 2km fibers can ensure OTDR Dead Zone happen in OTDR Launch Cable and allows OTDR to measure the loss and reflectance of the first connection of OTDR Launch Cable to prevent fiber under test from being largely affected by OTDR Dead Zone. It will make the OTDR testing more accurate.
Q: How long is OTDR Launch Cable that I should have?
A: This depends on the following factors:
1. Length of fiber under test;
2. Does the fiber under test have fiber splitters in the fiber optic network, like PON network?
3. The pulse width of OTDR using.
For examples:
1. OTDR Launch OTDR with 500 meters is ued for fiber links of 2km, like in business network.
2. OTDR Launch OTDR with 1km or 2km is used for most fiber optic networks, like PON network or point-to-point fiber optic network.
Q: How to select OTDR Launch Cable?
A: OTDR Launch Cable features with several specifications, like fiber type, connector type, fiber length.
For fiber type, there are G.652D, G.657A1, G.657A2, G.657B2, G.657B3, OM3, OM4, etc. In order to measure the most accurate testing results of OTDR, the user should select the same fiber type of fiber under test.
For connector type, there are two connectors of Launch Fiber Cable. For one connector, it is used as input connector, which connects with OTDR. And for the other connector, it is used as output connector, which connects with fiber under test. The user should select the same connector type of OTDR port and fiber under test.
For fiber length, it depends on the length of fiber under test, the pulse wideth of OTDR selected when testing and the splitter existence.
Q: How to Use OTDR Launch Cable to generate OTDR trace?
A:
1. Use OTDR Launch Cable as a launch cable. Connect OTDR Launch Cable between OTDR and fiber under test. Then the loss of the near-end connection can be measured.
2. Use OTDR Launch Cable asa receive Connect OTDR Launch Cable with far-end connector of fiber under test. Then the loss of the far-end connection can be measured.
3. Use OTDR Launch Cable asboth launch cable and receive cable as shown in the diagram at the right. Total insertion loss of fiber under test can be measured.
