Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: Inspection and Testing of Fiber Optic Cable
Share
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Control Systems > Inspection and Testing of Fiber Optic Cable

Inspection and Testing of Fiber Optic Cable

Learn the procedure for inspection and testing of fiber optic cable drum using OTDR (Optical Time-domain Reflectometer) & Continuity Test.

Last updated: November 3, 2020 5:10 pm
Editorial Staff
Control Systems
No Comments
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Testing Procedure for Fiber Optic Cable Drums

  1. One end of the cable drum will be prepared by using the proper tools.
  2. Take the prepared end of the cable inside the splice van to maintain the temperature and dust-free environment
  3. Make the OTDR (Optical Time-domain Reflectometer) ready for testing. When the OTDR is ready, strip the fiber and cleave it by means of a diamond-edged cleaver to ensure the cleaving end should be perpendicular.
  4. Connect the fiber to the OTDR by making a mechanical joint. The mechanical joint will be done by using two connectors coupled to each other through a mechanical coupler.
  5. Now the fiber is ready for testing. Keep the OTDR in average mode and shoot the laser through the fiber for 10 seconds.
  6. When the laser will be off, put the cursor “B” at the end of the cable and Cursor “A” around 80 meters from starting (This 80meters is called Dead Zone, because of the changing in the medium of the laser frequency in a very short distance).
  7. Now note the dB/Km loss of the cable.

a. 1310nm <= 0.4 dB/Km

Contents
Testing Procedure for Fiber Optic Cable DrumsGeneral ChecksOTDR & Continuity TestsTermination ChecksField Device to Patch PanelPatch Panel to Patch Panel / Control Panel

b. 1550nm <= 0.25dB/Km

If the loss is more than the above-mentioned parameter checks the mechanical splice or cleave the fiber again and follow the above procedures again.

  1. If still, the problem persists then there is some problem with the fiber.
  2. Then proceed with the same procedure for all the fibers individually.
  3. All the readings should be witnessed and checked.

Below equipment shall be used to perform the OTDR testing

Test Equipment type:

  • Optical Power Meter

The above procedure is for the fiber optic cable drum testing, upon successful completion of the testing next step is for the installation, inspection, and testing of the fiber optic cable.

General Checks

  1. Check the correctness of cable code & size.
  2. Cable identity and tag number shall be checked.
  3. Proper gland installation.
  4. Cable bending radius shall be checked
  5. Cabinet and/or Joint Box Cover Seals undamaged and Unused Cable Entries plugged correctly.

OTDR & Continuity Tests

  1. OTDR checked before laying of the cable.
  2. Fiber OTDR (for UG Cables) & continuity checked after laying the cable.
  3. OTDR and point to point continuity check after termination.
  4. Final OTDR test results.

Sample report as a reference:

Inspection and Testing of Fiber Optic Cable

Termination Checks

Field Device to Patch Panel

  1. Fibers terminated correctly at the device.
  2. Fibers terminated correctly at patch Panel.
  3. Gland earth tab connected to the patch panel.
  4. Fiber identification correct.

Patch Panel to Patch Panel / Control Panel

  1. Fiber terminated correctly at the patch panel.
  2. Fiber cores terminated correctly at the patch Panel/control panel.
  3. Gland earth tab connected to earth panel.
  4. Fiber identification in patch panel/control panel correct.

Author: Mohammed Khaleel

Read Next:

  • Fiber Optic Cable Splicing
  • Communication Networks
  • History of OPC Protocol
  • DNP3 Communication Protocol
  • Industrial Automation Security
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

PID Controller Loop Tuning Tips
Basics of 4-20mA Current Loop
How to choose between PLC and DCS Systems ?
4-wire Transmitters Current Loops
The Idea Behind Shielded Cables
Comparison of Proportional Integral Derivative Controllers (PID)
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

4-20 mA Loop Splitter
Comparing ICS and IT Systems Security
How Important is VPN for Control Engineers?
Feedforward Vs Feedback Control
Does Really a Safety Barrier is Important? – PLC DCS Systems
Boiler Drum Level Control Systems
Commissioning Checklists for Industrial Automation Systems
Basics of Trips, Interlocks, Permissives & Sequences

Keep Learning

Steady-state process gain

Steady-State Process Gain

Difference Between Single Pair Ethernet and Traditional Ethernet

Difference Between Single Pair Ethernet and Traditional Ethernet

Stripping tower unit

Process Control High Level Alarm Fault Analysis

Fixed Type Motor control center (MCC)

Motor Control Center (MCC) Signal Interface Termination (SIT)

Switches, Repeaters, Bridges, Routers, Firewalls

Purpose of Gateways, Bridges & Routers in Networking

ICS Control System

ICS Control System Security

How to Setup a Smart Transmitter Using a HART Communicator

How to Configure a Smart Transmitter Using a HART Communicator?

Process Control System

Basics of Process Control Systems

Learn More

Nonlinear Control Systems

Stability Analysis by Describing Functions

State Variable Analysis and Design

State Variables & Linear Discrete Time Systems

Siemens PLC Programming OBs in Siemens TIA Portal

FC Function in Siemens PLC

Advanced PLC Programming Training Course

Advanced PLC Course with Programming and Simulation

proximitor module

Bently Nevada Vibration System Verification Procedure

5-Port-2-Position-Valve-Animation

5 Port 2 Position Valve Working Principle

Immersion Electrical Heaters

Single and Three Phase Immersion Electrical Heaters Wiring Circuits

Ammeter with Shunt

Ammeter

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?