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SC to SC fiber testing with the SimpliFiber Pro

 

 

The following article describes how to test an SC to SC fiber link using TIA/EIA Method B for Multimode and TIA/EIA Method A.1 for Singlemode. 
You may hear people referring to this as the "1 jumper method". To confuse matters, the IEC Standards call it Method 2 for Multimode and Method A1 for Singlemode, as shown in the table below:

 

 

Fiber Methods Reference KB Size Table

 

 

You will need:

 

 

SimpliFiber Pro Test SC to SC Links 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Power on the SimpliFiber Pro Source.
  • Press the AUTO key on the SimpliFiber Pro Source .
  • In AUTO mode, the SimpliFiber Pro Source will tell the SimpliFiber Pro Meter which wavelength it is transmitting at. This allows both wavelengths to be measured at the same time.

    SimpliFiber Remote Alternating Wavelengths
     
  • Leave the SimpliFiber Pro Source to stabilize for at least 5 minutes.
  • While the SimpliFiber Pro Source is stabilizing, clean and inspect your test reference cords.
  • Connect your test reference cord as shown below, making sure the fiber size is the same as the link you are about to test.

    Reference Patch Cord Connection Testing
     
     
  • Press the Mode key until you see LOSS in the upper right hand screen (shown below).

    SimpliFiber Pro In AutoMode Animation
      
  • Press the F3 key once to set the reference. When you see OK appear, the reference has been set for both wavelengths.
  • If the SimpliFiber Pro Source has been allowed to stabilize fully, you should see 0.00 dB as shown below:

    SimpliFiber Pro AutoMode After SetRef Animation
     
  • If you start to see it change from 0.00 dB, it means the SimpliFiber Pro Source has not been allowed to stabilize. Wait until the reading stabilizes, then press the F3 key again to reset the reference.
  • Remove the reference patch cord from the INPUT PORT ONLY on the SimpliFiber Pro Meter.
    Remove Reference Patch Cord From Input Port
          
          
           
         
         
  • Put a known good SC to SC test reference cord into the INPUT port on the SimpliFiber Pro Meter.
    SC to SC Test Reference Cord Into Input Port
       
      
      
       
     
  • Before you connect to the link you wish to test, connect the cords using a singlemode rated adapter as shown below:
     
    Single Mode Cord Connection
     
     
  • Press the TEST key and your results should be:
     
    • Better than 0.1 dB for multimode
    • Better than 0.2 dB for singlemode

      These values come from IEC 14763-3. Always use a singlemode rated adapter when doing this, even if you are testing multimode. If you cannot get these values, clean AND inspect your cords. There should be no scratches or chips on the cords. 
       
       
         
  • You can now connect to the fiber link to be tested.
    Fiber Link Connection Testing
      
       
       
  • The SimpliFiber Pro Meter will then automatically measure the loss at both wavelengths.
  • Press the F1 key to save the test result. It will save both wavelengths automatically as one record. For more information on calculating loss budgets - click here. If you are testing against for a specific application - click here.