Optical Fiber Identifier

Often fibers must be installed, serviced, or even replaced while the network is still in operation. To identify individual fibers or the cable, bending couplers are used.
These couplers are available in various designs, for example for different fiber claddings or as devices that can complexly determine the signal strength of light in the fiber from the coupled signal.

The bending couplers are placed on the fiber and can identify three states in addition to the direction of the signal: no signal, tone signal, and data traffic.

The OFI-200 from AFL Noyes is used with the light sources OLS7, OLS2, CSS1-SM, and CSS1-MM. The bending coupler is equipped with a unique measuring head design that allows two positions: without parts or recalibration, it is possible to work with 250 µm or 900 µm fibers with fabric tape or a jacket. Due to its particularly small size, the OFI-200 can also be used where there is little space available.

The battery-operated OFI-200 can perform thousands of tests before the battery must be changed, the charge level of which is displayed.

The OFI-400 model is a robust and easy-to-operate fiber-optic handheld device that is used to detect and measure the light power in the fiber core using a bending coupler system. This occurs without having to disrupt data traffic in the fiber. The OFI 400 is developed and calibrated for use in 250 µm, 900 µm, ribbon, 2 mm, and 3 mm fibers with a jacket. This is ideal for installation, reconfiguration, restoration, and maintenance of optical fiber networks.

The OFI 400C model is specially designed for use in 2 mm or 3 mm cables.

The OFI-400HP model is developed for use in optical fibers that carry high power signals. This includes fibers with individual high-power signals, CWDM or DWDM signals with a high total power, amplified optical signals, or pump laser-based systems (EDFA or RAMAN).

FITEL’s fiber identifier has improved recognition of the direction of the fiber’s optical signal, even under bright environmental conditions. The enlarged display shows the intensity of the light in the fiber. G657 A2 fibers can also be identified. With one detection head, it is possible to use fibers with a 900 µm coating and a 3-mm cable, as well as 12-fiber ribbons and single fibers with a 250 µm coating.

ODM‘s LFI 110 Live Fiber Identifier Accessory is a rugged accessory tool for RP 4XX series optical power meters. It simply snaps on to the meter units and allows for the detection of active channels or 2 kHz tones (with a compatible ODM laser) on any single mode network. The LFI 110 is designed to accommodate 250 µm, 900 µm, 2 mm or 3 mm jacketed fibers. It features a measurement repeatability of +/-2 dB.

The FI-60 Live Fiber Identifier (LFI) allows installers to detect the optical signal without disconnecting the fiber or interrupting network traffic. The SafeChek™ function provides a secure and repeatable connection to most types of fiber without the need for expensive inserts.

By replacing the LFI sensor head with a suitable adapter (2.5 or 1.5 mm), the technician may also use the FI-60 can as an optical level meter (OPM). The versatile instrument can also be combined with the FiberChek2 fiber microscope to inspect fiber end faces.

The FI-100 fiber identifier allows the technician to quickly determine the approximate core power and signal direction in a fiber optic cable in a running network. The device creates a non-intrusive macrobend that only causes a small insertion loss. The fiber remains connected to the network, critical services are maintained and the test does not trigger any alarm.

Using tone detect technology, the technician may also trace unique signals several times in a row without disconnecting the fibers.