Visual continuity plotter

Visual inspection

Visual continuity plotter

Continuity verification with a visual continuity plotter can trace the path of a fiber from one end to another through several connections, and thus verify continuity, correct connections and the polarity of the duplex connector. A visual continuity plotter resembles a flashlight or a pen-like instrument with a bulb or LED source that attaches to a fiber optic connector. Connect the fiber you should test to the plotter and look at the other end of the fiber to see the light transmitted through the fiber core. If you don't see any light at the end,

A good example of how a continuity visual plotter can save time and money is to test the fiber in a coil before installing it to make sure it has not been damaged during shipping. First, verify that there are no visible signs of damage to the fiber in the coil (such as cracked or broken coils, twisted cables, etc.). During the test, visual continuity plotters also help identify the next fiber to be tested with the test kit to check for loss. When connecting the cables to the connection panels, use the visual continuity plotter to make sure each connection is composed of the two correct fibers. In order to make sure that the correct fiber is connected between the transmitter and receiver, use the visual continuity plotter instead of the transmitter, and your eye instead of the receiver to verify the connection. Follow all rules regarding eye safety when working with visual plotters.

Visual fault location

A more powerful version of the visual continuity plotter called the Visual Fault Locator (VFL) uses a visible laser that can also find faults. The red laser light is powerful enough to perform a continuity check or to trace fibers for several kilometers, identify splices in splice trays and show breakage in high loss fibers or connectors. You can see the loss of light in the breakage of fiber through the bright red light of the VFL, even though the jacket of several yellow or orange simplex cables (not with black or gray jackets, of course).

You can also use the VFL to visually verify and optimize mechanical splices or pre-polished fiber optic connectors. By visually reducing the lost light, you can get a splice with lower loss. No other method will guarantee high performance with these connectors.

Before using VFLs, a warning about eye safety is necessary. VFLs use visible light. The power level is high, therefore, you should not see the light directly. You will notice that looking directly at the exit of a fiber illuminated by a VFL is somewhat uncomfortable, therefore, when drawing fibers, it is convenient that you look at the side of the fiber to see if the VFL light is present.

Fiber optic technician jobs

Visual inspection of the connector by microscope

Fiber optic inspection microscopes are used to inspect connectors, in order to confirm that polishing is adequate and to find faults such as scratches, polishing defects and dirt. They can be used both to verify the quality of the finishing procedure and to diagnose problems. A well-made connector has a smooth, polished and scratch-free finish, and the fiber shows no signs of cracks, splinters or areas where the fiber is protruding from the end of the splint or inward.