OTDR - A Picture of Your Fiber Optic Cable Health

Optical Time Domain Reflectometer OTDR or internals can be very complex, but I would try to describe how it works in basic terms. Using the actual properties of the fiber as they respond to light. Usually want to see the light traveling forward through a fiber, however, light can also travel backwards. This light back or also called backscatter is what used to calculate the OTDR measurements. This backscatter is also used in both photography and medical instruments. All of them can be described as simple as backscatter measuring devices, but with different applications.

The technician is presented with a visual outcome generally available both on screen and the printed version. Now is the technician's work to interpret the results very similar to a doctor outside the interpretation of the results of a radiograph. Fiber experienced technicians can see some results and quickly determine who is showing a joint, a reduction or loss caused by a connector. It is important that a technician to maintain the practice as an internist would practice or experience. The results are as good as the person who breaks and also the data being written.

The data you enter is as important as the person to interrupt the data. Imagine if a trainee doctor was given the results of a blood pressure test of a laboratory technician and demonstrated extremely low pressure. The doctor to look for other symptoms before sending them to get some medicine for low blood pressure. Always check your data points. A technician from the fiber can enter parameters such as mode, pulse width, length and attenuation. Enter some wrong parameters and could give a false sense of security. All these things come in time as a technician becomes familiar with this device useful, but complex.

An OTDR is a must have for determining the health of its fiber optic network. The data input is as important as technical analysis of the results. Each fiber technician must have one of these devices at their disposal to quickly determine whether your fiber system is sick.