How To Choose The Right Fiber Optic Cable Tester

A fiber optic cable tester can be an invaluable tool to determine whether or not there are any issues with the cables in your home or office. This makes it so you don’t have to go through every single cable individually to find which one has the issue. And yet, there are so many different types of fiber optic cable testers available today that it can be difficult to figure out which one will work best for your needs. Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing the right fiber optic cable testers for your own needs and goals.

Market conditions

There are a lot of cable testers in the market today. It’s important to know what you’re looking for before you start looking at fiber optic cable testers. Deciding on a fiber optic cable tester for your network isn’t easy. And with so many choices out there, you might feel overwhelmed by all of your options.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find what works best for you. It just means you need to do some research and learn about each of your options before making a decision.

The most popular types of Optic Cable Test Equipment

Light source

The luminous source includes a component, either an LED or laser, which is stabilized using an automatic gain control mechanism. LEDs are typically used for multimode fiber applications, while lasers are used for single-mode fiber optic products. The newest innovations in luminous sources take today’s idea one step further - some now offer 3 to 4 wavelengths and consist of various combinations of light-emitting diodes and lasers. Some use visual lasers for troubleshooting.

These new developments allow it to be utilized to check: Connection loss or optic loss.

Continuity

Transmission quality of fiber link.

Power meter

Power meters are devices that can determine the power intensity of fiber optic equipment or signals passing through cables. These meters are mainly used to measure and test power loss or the amount of energy being transmitted at one time.

LSPM

A Light Source Power Meter (LSPM) is a measuring device consisting of two elements: the light source and the power meter. It is used to measure the amount of light intensity passing through an optical-fiber system which creates an important baseline for fiber optic installations.

OLTS

Optical loss test sets are absolutely necessary when measuring a link's total attenuation because they are the most accurate and reliable form of testing. After all, you wouldn't want to spend thousands of dollars on equipment that won't work properly or give you false readings when making such large investments, right?

Testing for this is done by using optical power meters which analyze light over distance to measure how much power remains when the light reaches its destination. You see, both TIA and ISO standardize optical power meters for their own purposes - both allowing them in Tier 1 measurements.

OTDR

The fiber optic cable is an essential part of every data transmission because it transmits data over long distances. The Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, which creates a virtual picture of the cable route, provides insight into problems within existing cables or when designing new ones. The only thing better than having this knowledge is knowing you won't lose any data with OTDR testing.

VFL

A visual fault locator, or VFL for short, will pinpoint where there are any issues along the length of your fiber optic cables to troubleshoot them before they become major issues down the line. Using these specialized tools, you'll save time and money while decreasing downtime - all without needing to pull up part of your cable system to investigate further, learn more about visual fault locators vs optical power meters.

Purchase the Fiber Optic suggestion List

Before you can buy a fiber optic cable tester, you need to make sure that it will support whatever type of cable or transmission line you’re hoping to test. A good place to start is by downloading a list of what specific models are compatible with which types of cables.

Every tester works differently and even different versions of similar testers won’t work with all cables. So, before you spend your money on a cable tester, be sure it’s compatible with any particular type of fiber optic cable you want to test.

Suggestions for Best Fiber Optic Testers

MINI Optical Power Meter NF-908S

Good for low to mid-range testing, ideal for first-time users and professionals on a budget. The low cost makes it easier to get started with fiber network installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The device comes with a standard AC power supply and has an auto-range function that is great for quick testing. Includes Mini Optical Power Meter NF-908 along with optical loss test cables, universal PC interface cable, and carrying case.

In the box, you will find all you need to get started. Advanced functions include OTDR functionality, which allows you to check if there are any breaks in your line or splices that could be interfering with signal quality.

This product offers all basic functions necessary for everyday use at an affordable price point. If you are looking for an entry-level tester, then look no further than MINI Optical Power Meter NF-908.

Product Features

• OEM / ODM: Yes
• Brand Name: Noyafa
• Model Number: NF-908
• Place of Origin: Shenzhen.China
• Interface : FC/ST/SC interface
• Wavelength: 850/980/1310/1490/1550/1625nm
• Power: Lithium battery 3.7v 700 mAh

Advantages

• Warranty: 1 Year
• Automatically scan, and detect the order of the network cable.
• With hand control and a one-piece detachable design, you can have even more flexibility when using this device.
• Human-powered design, after 30 minutes of use, the device will automatically shut down.
• Made in China and cheaper than competitors with similar quality.

Visual Fault Locator NF-904

This tester can provide a visual fault locator and fiber continuity test, suitable for one-time testing of fiber breakage and winding before installing fiber. And it can do fiber loss tests, including core and cladding loss, connector loss, and stripped fiber plug with adapter loss.

Adopt superior CCD technology to find out breakage or winding position through light reflection on the core surface. After that, a VFL module is used to locate breakage. With an optional DQA (Digital Loss Measurement Algorithm) interface card added on NF-904, you can perform digital testing of optical signals as well as display information about optical parameters such as power level.

Optical fiber installation technicians use VFLs to check for fiber breaks during splicing work. By locating wherein a strand of fiber has been broken by visually inspecting where light from its endpoint isn’t being reflected back down towards its source, they can quickly assess if they need to remove more length from their working cable, or if they’re ready to move onto joining up their splice pieces.

Using a reflective target at their endpoint allows them to see exactly how much of their signal has returned back down their cable—if there’s no return signal then they know that something further along in their cable has been damaged, so they need either take more length off or get ready to begin splicing.

Product Features

• OEM / ODM: Yes
• Brand Name: Noyafa
• Model Number: NF-904
• Place of Origin: Shenzhen.China
• Main Function: locating fiber breakage and winding
• Connector : FC/SC/ST interchangeable
• Power : DC1.5V *2 (not included)

Advantages

• Warranty: 1 Year
• Examine the fault in OTDR dead zone.
• End-to-end fiber recognition.
• Detecting the location of a fiber break, twisting, or other issues.
• 100% Affordable. Manufactured in China, you will save money without sacrificing quality.

2-in-1 Optical Multimeter NF-907C

The NF-907C, the 2-in-1 optical multimeter, could be used to measure the optical power of the sender and check fiber breakage, winding, and so on. Which is a perfect combination for testing cables in the field or at room temperature.

This meter uses an LED source with a 635 nm wavelength. It can also be used as a regular optical power meter. And it’s very convenient to carry and use when you need to test cables, especially for technicians and administrators in all kinds of industries.

A single measurement can replace many steps which will save your cost and time. In addition, it’s an indispensable tool that all field engineers should own. As an optical power meter, the NF-907C measures both long-distance attenuation of an optical transmission line and send/receive a loss.

The dedicated relay outputs provide an easy-to-use DUT termination function. All functions are controlled by front panel pushbuttons for ease of operation. An internal microprocessor controls all instrument functions independently from user inputs.

Product Features

• OEM / ODM : Yes
• Brand Name : Noyafa
• Model Number : NF-907C
• Place of Origin : Shenzhen.China
• Interface : FC ( ST/SC interchangeable)
• Wavelength : 800-1700nm
• Output : 5mW/ 10mW/ 20mW/ 30mW
• Power : 1.5V x 3pcs(not included)

Advantages

• Warranty : 1 Year
• Measurement of the power of optical sender (dBm and W).
• Insertion loss test of optical devices.
• New REF user-defined.
• FC/SC/ST general-purpose interface.

3-in-1 Optical Multimeter NF-911C

This product is designed to measure the optical sensor power, and at the same time can check fiber breakage, winding, etc. It uses convenient test procedures and can be easily operated by non-professionals.

Widely used in 3C testing, fiber optic network cable construction, and maintenance. Check fiber integrity and faults for network cables that are not accessible for test using an endoscope.

The high-quality 3in1 multifunctional optic meter NF-911C provides solutions for online monitoring of all types of optical transmission systems including telephone networks and/or FTTx/FTTH networks.

Online use monitor with sufficient alarm points as well as a clear LCD display, any abnormality problems could be recognized immediately. Customized connector plugs design makes different connectors independent operation without affecting others.

Other electrical parameter measurements such as voltage, current, and resistance are optional. The user will easily identify broken ends on light guide fibers during the installation and maintenance of telecom systems through the use of a 1:1 visual comparison between the actual test result(line loss)and recommended characteristic value.

Product Features:

• OEM / ODM : Yes
• Brand Name : Noyafa
• Model Number : NF-911C
• Place of Origin : Shenzhen.China
• Interface : FC ( ST/SC interchangeable)
• Wavelength : 800-1700nm
• Output : 5mW/ 10mW/ 20mW/ 30mW
• Power : 1.5V x 3pcs(not included)

Advantages:

• Warranty : 1 Year
• Wavelength:850/1300/1310/1490/1550/ 1625nm (power meter).
• All of Noyafa's manufacturing facilities are compliant with RoHS, FCC, and CE standards as well as have been certified to the ISO 9001 standard.
• Light source function.
• Measurement of the power of optical sender (dBm and W).

Bottome Line:

Noyafa manufacturer produces a variety of different types of patrol instruments, Is the leading brand in China.

Products are good quality, cheap, and quality assurance. A full refund is guaranteed if you are not happy with your purchase.