EuroWire March 2017

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News
Corporate
March 2017 22
TO help cable installers and main-
tenance technicians select the correct
fibre optic testing equipment, Ideal
Networks has published a free White
Paper which offers guidance on the
different tiers for certifying fibre optic
cabling.
“Unlike copper cabling, there are two
tiers available when certifying fibre
optic cabling and these dictate which
type of tests must be performed, and
therefore which testers should be used,”
says Dan Payerle, business unit manager
for Ideal Networks.
“To remove confusion around which
type of test should be used, and
whether performing Tier-2 certification
also meets the requirements of Tier-1
certification, the White Paper clarifies
the different requirements in detail as
well as looking at the advantages of
different testers and how they work,” he
added.
Tier-1 certification is a measurement of
the total insertion loss (or attenuation)
of cabling from one end of the link to
the other and either uses an optical
power meter and optical light source
(PM/LS) or an optical loss test set (OLTS)
for testing.
Tier-2 certification provides loss
information about each component
of the link and uses an OTDR (optical
time domain reflectometer) to perform
certification, providing a useful
graphical representation of each
connection, splice and cable segment in
the link and their performance.
When certification is required, it is good
practice to perform a Tier-1 test, and
optionally conduct a Tier-2 test.
Although an OTDR can show the
total link loss like an OLTS does,
Tier-2 certification cannot replace
Tier-1 certification as there is a subtle
distinction between the total link loss
reported by the two devices.
An OLTS, such as the Ideal Networks OC
I Tier-1 fibre cable certifier, measures
the true optical loss of the link, which
makes it an accurate way to determine
end-to-end loss of a link and a
requirement for Tier-1 certification.
However, an OTDR, like OTDR II from
Ideal Networks, characterises the link
under test and can offer additional
advantages, such as advanced
troubleshooting for faster repairs.
“Ultimately the required testing is
an agreement between the cabling
contractor and their customer,” said Mr
Payerle.
“However, in order to provide customer
satisfaction, it is essential that fibre
optic installers understand the different
tiers and therefore which certification
reports will provide the necessary
assurance.”
Ideal Networks – UK
Website:
Ideal Networks’ guidance for Tier-1 and Tier-2
fibre optic testing