Fiber optic testing in the plant environment

Several means of testing fiber-optic systems that are available to plant personnel are described. The author discusses visual inspection, the use of optical power meters, the optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), and the fiber-optic test standard. Optical power budget formulation and bit generation testing are also reviewed. The author's purpose is to show that the most common in-plant means of performing the cable test function are simple, straightforward, and logical, and are capable of being performed by competent plant electrical personnel.<>