How can you troubleshoot optical fiber cables more effectively?

1 Check the connectors

One of the most frequent causes of optical fiber cable issues is poor or dirty connectors. Connectors are the devices that join the fiber ends to the equipment or other fibers. If they are not properly aligned, cleaned, or secured, they can create signal loss, reflection, or interference. To troubleshoot connectors, you should inspect them visually for any physical damage, dirt, or dust. You can use a microscope or a fiber inspection probe to magnify the connector end faces and check for scratches, cracks, or contaminants. You should also clean the connectors regularly with a lint-free cloth, alcohol, or compressed air. If the connectors are damaged or worn out, you should replace them with compatible ones.

2 Test the power levels

Another common source of optical fiber cable problems is low or high power levels. Power levels measure the amount of light that travels through the fiber and reaches the receiver. If the power levels are too low, the signal may be too weak to be detected or decoded. If the power levels are too high, the signal may be distorted or saturated. To troubleshoot power levels, you should use a power meter or an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) to measure the optical power at different points along the cable. You should compare the measured values with the expected or specified values and look for any significant variations or drops. You should also check the transmitter and receiver settings and make sure they match the cable specifications and standards.

3 Locate the faults

Sometimes, optical fiber cable problems are caused by faults or breaks in the fiber itself. Faults can occur due to bending, twisting, crushing, cutting, or aging of the fiber. Faults can create signal loss, reflection, or dispersion and affect the quality and integrity of the data transmission. To troubleshoot faults, you should use an OTDR or a visual fault locator (VFL) to locate the exact position and type of the fault along the cable. An OTDR sends pulses of light through the fiber and analyzes the reflected light to determine the distance and characteristics of any fault. A VFL sends a visible red light through the fiber and makes the fault visible to the eye by shining through the fiber coating or jacket. You should use both tools to confirm and pinpoint the fault and then repair or replace the faulty section of the cable.

4 Verify the performance

After you have troubleshooted the connectors, power levels, and faults of the optical fiber cable, you should verify the performance and functionality of the cable and the system. To do this, you should use a bit error rate tester (BERT) or a protocol analyzer to measure and evaluate the quality and accuracy of the data transmission through the cable. A BERT sends a known pattern of bits through the cable and compares it with the received pattern to calculate the bit error rate (BER), which indicates the number of errors per unit of time. A protocol analyzer captures and decodes the data packets that travel through the cable and displays the information and statistics about the protocol, speed, and errors. You should use these tools to check if the cable and the system meet the performance and reliability requirements and standards.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?