Many ways to test optical loss

I wanted to comment on your article on optical-loss testing in the November 1999 issue (see "Optical-loss test sets: the baseline fiber-optic tester," page 84). As was mentioned in the article, the role of optical-loss testing has changed over the years. Today, in our courses, we provide seven different methods (not just variations in launch conditions as specified in EIA-455 Fiber Optic Test Procedures -34, -50, and -171) for optical-loss testing of a system.

Today, contractors and technicians need to be able to address not only which method is better for their application, but also the business issues-for example, what technique and, therefore, which equipment investment are best for their needs.

Another topic that wasn't addressed in your article (or anyone else's, for that matter) is the issue of reflection testing. At this time, virtually the entire fiber-optic premises industry is misguided on this problem due to lack of knowledge and awareness.

We address all these issues in our new "Update" course, being held throughout North America for year 2000. This one-day course is designed for those who have experience with fiber optics but need to be brought up-to-date on new types of fibers, connectors, and protocols-such as dense wavelength-division multiplexing, Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet, and OC-768 systems-as well as events such as reflections, which impact the network but are caused by the components that contractors are installing.

Larry Johnson
President
Light Brigade Inc.
[email protected]