MARCH 6, 2008 -- Scitec Instruments has introduced a new visual fault locator (search for VFL) for visually identifying breaks or microbends in optical fibers. The instrument can also be used for fiber identification in an optical fiber bundle.
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Usable range depends on the fiber; intended use, such as fault finding or fiber identification; fiber type; jacketing of the cable; and the loss incurred at the fault. Several hundred meters up to 1 or 2 km is typical for singlemode fiber fault location, say Scitec representatives. Fiber identification can be made at greater distances.
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The VLF-280 is a handheld, battery powered, stabilized fiber-optic laser source that emits visible (red) light at 650 nm. Its intended function is to allow an operator to identify the exact location of a break, microbend, or other discontinuity in a fiber-optic cable. As the radiation is visible, light emanating from a break or microbend enables the user to locate the exact position of a fault. This can be done even at very short distances that would not be detectable by conventional means, such as an OTDR. It is also useful for identifying a particular fiber in a cable by exciting the fiber to be located with visible radiation.
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The fiber to be tested is connected to the source by a standard 2.5-mm fiber-optic connector, confirm Scitec representatives. The source may be used in one of two modes: modulated or continuous. In the modulated mode, the laser is turned on and off at 6 Hz. This mode is helpful in enabling the user to identify the source radiation in the presence of high levels of ambient light. It also aids in conserving battery life.
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