NTT-Advanced Technology Research cites that 80% of network problems are due to dirty connectors, and the No. 1 cause of network failure is contaminated connectors. For MPOs, inspection and cleaning become even more critical. Given that a single dirty or damaged connector can impact 24 fibers—or more—with MPO connectors, taking critical communications lines out of service for troubleshooting will cause service interruptions for numerous customers.
How can the performance of MPO links be ensured? It all starts with testing. There are the five essential things you need to do: connector inspection, proper cleaning, polarity-type validation, continuity confirmation, and choosing the right referencing method.
Meeting MPO test and polarity challenges
EXFO’s Vincent Racine discusses the fundamental role that MPO connectivity plays in network densification. The rise in popularity of MPO connectivity has brought to light certain challenges in the field, including some related to testing and polarity. Racine describes the practicalities of meeting these challenges in the field using test equipment.
The Importance of Testing Fiber Optics in Submarine Networks
Subsea or submarine cables are fiber optic cables that connect countries across the world via cables laid on the ocean floor. These cables – often thousands of miles in length – are able to transmit huge amounts of data rapidly from one point to another. According to a 2019 report by StableSeas, commercial undersea cables transmit 97% of this internet and telecommunications data. With such heavy reliance on the technology, there’s no denying that submarine cabling is supporting the global economy, and an outage could have catastrophic consequences, which makes proper testing of submarine networks critical.
Everything You Need to Know: TIA Standard adds MPO Test Requirements and Procedures
In their latest revision (September 2022), the Telecom Industry Association (TIA) added MPO test requirements and procedures to their optical fiber cabling component standard, ANSI/TIA-568.3-E.
The revision adds MPO-specific requirements referencing TIA-526-28. TIA-526-28 is an adoption of IEC 61280-4-5 and deals with attenuation measurement of MPO-terminated fiber optic cabling plant using test equipment with MPO interfaces.
AFL Receives Six Patents Over Past Quarter
AFL, an international manufacturer of fiber optic cable, equipment and accessories, was awarded six new patents over the past quarter for technology and developments in optical connectivity, conductor accessories, specialty cables and test equipment.
The first patent is for “Multiple Cable Size Fiber Optic Transition Assemblies.” The design allows the ability to create furcated AFL TRIDENT® drops, from one to four fibers. Additionally, a patent was received for a “Rack Routing Guide.” This invention allows installers to route fibers exiting the front of panels into a system that takes up the slack when any tray inside the panel is opening.
Two patents were received in AFL’s conductor accessories division. The first patent is for “Cable Support Devices and Assemblies.” This design supports AFL’s FTTx solution, notably the end user’s focus on minimizing pole penetrations when attaching hardware. The multi-drop thimble eye allows up to four drops to be dead ended at a pole using a single bolt as an attachment.
The second patent for conductor accessories is “Galloping Motion Disruptors and Methods for Reducing Conductor Galloping.” The Galloping Motion Disruptor (GMD) changes the cross-sectional profile of a transmission conductor, reducing the wind energy effect that causes large movement of the conductor, which could lead to damage. This patented design allows easier installation and less shipping costs.
The next patent is for “Downhole Strain Sensing Cables.” This cable is designed for installation in oil and gas downhole applications that detect ground movement or strain within the well to assist in efficient well utilization and management.
Lastly, the Test & Inspection division received a patent for “Optical Testing Devices and Related Methods.” The patent allows an OTDR to automatically initiate a test when the OTDR test jumper is connected to a network. After the test jumper has been disconnected from the network, from sensing the unloaded signal, the OTDR will automatically start another test when the test jumper is reconnected to a network.
Why Manufacturer Cable Warranties are So Important
Looking at copper and fiber cabling plants, one of the best ways to gain more value is to ensure it comes with a long-term replacement warranty directly from the cable manufacturer. Obtaining a full manufacturer’s warranty can only be accomplished through cable certification testing. Without proving passing certification test results, your cabling will not be fully covered by most manufacturer warranties. In this article, we’re going to explore what a cable manufacturing warranty is, why you want one and how to best obtain a warranty for future cable installs.
Tech Talk with Steve | Single Pair Ethernet
Steve Cowles and special guests Bob Voss, and Arvind Patel discuss Single Pair Ethernet benefits and use cases.They also give an update on the recently released TIA-568.5
Balanced Single Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standard.
Webinar: When to use an OTDR
An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is a device that tests the integrity of a fiber cable and is used …
Shutting the Door on Dust
Leading manufacturers today are working to help prevent fiber endface contamination by introducing fiber adapters with integrated shutter doors that allow you to do away with pesky dust caps.
Are you ready for 400G Ethernet?
Can you use the fiber optic cables and testers you already have? See the lane rate of various fiber cables and get tips on testers that will do the job.
