User Guide Power Meter and VFL
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Contents Contents 1 Introducing the Optional Power Meter and VFL ....................................... 1 Conventions ............................................................................................................................1 Safety Information ..................................................................................................................2 Certification Information ........................................................................................................
1 Introducing the Optional Power Meter and VFL Your unit can be equipped with an optical power meter to measure absolute power (dBm or W) or insertion loss (dB). The power meter can detect modulated signals (1 kHz, 2 kHz, 270 Hz and 330 Hz). The built-in power meter can also include a visual fault locator (VFL) to inspect or identify fibers.
Introducing the Optional Power Meter and VFL Safety Information Safety Information The laser and electrical safety information pertaining to your unit is specific to the unit you are using. Please refer to the corresponding user documentation for more details. Certification Information The certification and declaration of conformity for your unit is specific to the unit you are using. Please refer to the corresponding user documentation for more details.
2 Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Note: If a feature is only available for one type of power meter, it is indicated specifically in the corresponding title or instructions. Note: Some buttons are not available when you first access the Power Meter application, but will be available after you tap Add for the first time or after you open a file. Below is a description of the Power Meter buttons and functions.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Nulling Offsets Nulling Offsets Temperature and humidity variations affect the performance of electronic circuits and optical detectors, which can offset measurement results. To compensate for this offset, the unit is equipped with an offset nulling function. Your unit has been designed not to require offset nulling under normal operation, but you should perform it whenever environmental conditions change significantly or when measuring very low power values.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Setting Thresholds and Correction Factors Setting Thresholds and Correction Factors You can define thresholds to specify acceptable power or insertion loss values for each wavelength. Thresholds are usually supplied by system manufacturers and depend on the system deployed. When the measurement status is “Pass”, the value is displayed in green in the Instrument View tab, on the Measurements list, and in reports.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Setting Thresholds and Correction Factors You may apply a correction factor (CF) to measured power to compensate for inaccuracies or drifts. You should change the CF after performing an offset nulling. Power corrected = Power measured CF where: Powercorrected = the corrected power value Powermeasured = the measured power value CF = the correction factor For each favorite wavelength, the CF is set to 1.00 at the factory, but allowed values range between 0.85 and 1.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Setting Thresholds and Correction Factors To set thresholds or correction factors: 1. From the Instrument View tab, tap Setup, then select the Wavelengths and Thresholds tab. 2. Select Apply thresholds (Pass/Fail status) to apply the thresholds and display the relevant information in the Instrument View tab of the main window. 3. From the Wavelengths list, select the wavelength for which you want to set a threshold or a correction factor.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Setting Thresholds and Correction Factors 4. Modify the thresholds or correction factor for the selected wavelength. To select the units used for the absolute power value (has no effect on the measurement range) To make the threshold active for selected wavelength Correction factor for selected wavelength To revert to default values To apply these settings to all of the wavelengths in the list, tap Apply These Settings to All Wavelengths.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Setting Reference Values on Your Power Meter Setting Reference Values on Your Power Meter In Reference mode, your unit displays the loss created by the fiber under test only, since it subtracts a reference value from the measured power. You can set a different reference value for each wavelength. A reference value remains in memory until a new one is stored at the same wavelength.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss Measuring Power or Insertion Loss Measuring absolute power or link (insertion) loss is done the same way, except for the referencing step. You can take power or insertion loss measurements and save them for further analysis.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss To perform power or insertion loss measurements manually: 1. If necessary, perform an offset nulling (see Nulling Offsets on page 4). 2. Check your fibers and clean them properly. 3. For insertion loss measurements, reference your power meter to a light source (see Setting Reference Values on Your Power Meter on page 9), then deactivate the light source. 4.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss 5. Using bulkhead adapters or the system patch panels, connect a fiber under test to reference patchcord attached to the light source and power meter. 6. From the Instrument View tab, use the list to select a wavelength. Activate the source at the same wavelength. 7. Tap Add to transfer the displayed values to the Measurements list.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss To perform power or insertion loss measurements using the auto wavelength or auto switching modes of your source: 1. If necessary, perform an offset nulling (see Nulling Offsets on page 4). 2. Check your fibers and clean them properly. 3. For insertion loss measurements, reference your power meter to a light source (see Setting Reference Values on Your Power Meter on page 9), then deactivate the light source. 4.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss 6. From the Instrument View tab, select Auto. Activate the source with the auto-wavelength or auto-switching mode. Readings with more than one wavelength appear on-screen at the same time when the auto-switching feature is enabled on the source.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss 7. Tap Add to transfer the displayed values to the Measurements list. In auto-switching mode, the measurements are added for all wavelengths at once, using one line per wavelength. Note: If you tap Add just after switching to another measurement unit, the application will prompt you to save any unsaved measurements.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Measuring Power or Insertion Loss To view and edit power or insertion loss measurements: 1. Select the Measurements tab. All your measurements are displayed in the order they were performed. 2. Tap Rename to rename the fiber, tap Delete to remove the selected value from the list, or Clear All to remove all measurements from the list.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Saving Results Files Saving Results Files Once you have added measurements to your list, you might want to save them onto a file for future consultation. To save a measurement file: 1. From the main window, tap Save As. 2. If desired, change the name and location, then tap Save.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Opening Result Files Opening Result Files You can open results files that are stored on your unit or on a USB memory key. If you need more flexibility and a greater choice of report types, you can also transfer results files to a computer onto which EXFO’s FastReporter is installed. IMPORTANT The file that you will open includes the threshold values and job information that you had set when you saved that file. These settings will replace the current settings.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Clearing Measurements from the Display Clearing Measurements from the Display When measurements do not meet your requirements, you can clear the display and start over. Note: Clearing measurements from the display does not delete them from the disk (if they were saved previously). To clear power measurements: 1. From the button bar, tap Close. OR From the Measurements tab, tap Clear All.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Adding Information to Your Results Adding Information to Your Results A report is available to keep notes on the measurements, the location of the tested fiber, the type of job performed, and general comments. This information will be saved, along with your measurements, in the power meter results file. When you open the results files with applications such as EXFO’s FastReporter (installed on a computer), all the information that you entered will be available.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Generating Result Reports Generating Result Reports You can generate reports directly from your unit in PDF format. You can modify the information related to customer, cable and job (see Adding Information to Your Results on page 20). Depending on the information you want in your report, you can include the statistics, the pass/fail thresholds, or both. To select the items to include in your report: 1. From the main window, tap Setup, then select the Report tab. 2.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Generating Result Reports To generate a power measurement report: 1. From the button bar, tap Report. 2. If desired, change the location for the file. 3. Enter a name for your file. 4. Tap OK to save your report.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Identifying Fiber Faults Visually with the VFL Identifying Fiber Faults Visually with the VFL The optional visual fault locator (VFL) helps you identify bends, faulty connectors, splices and other causes of signal loss. It can also help the person at the other end of the link to identify the fiber under test, which could be particularly useful when working with cables containing many fibers.
Using the Optional Power Meters and VFL Identifying Fiber Faults Visually with the VFL To activate the VFL and inspect a fiber: 1. Clean the connectors properly. 2. Connect the fiber under test to the VFL port. 3. If necessary, from Mini Toolbox, on the Main Menu, tap Power Meter and VFL. 4. Select the Instrument View tab. 5. Tap ON/Blink/OFF to change the VFL state. 6. Without looking directly into the beam, examine the fiber.
3 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Viewing Online Documentation An online version of the Power Meter and VFL user guide is available at all times from the application. Note: You will also find a printable PDF version on your installation DVD. To access online help: At the bottom of the Main Menu, tap .
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Recalibrating the Unit Recalibrating the Unit EXFO manufacturing and service center calibrations are based on the ISO/IEC 17025 standard (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories). This standard states that calibration documents must not contain a calibration interval and that the user is responsible for determining the re-calibration date according to the actual use of the instrument.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Recalibrating the Unit To help you with calibration follow-up, EXFO provides a special calibration label that complies with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and indicates the unit calibration date and provides space to indicate the due date.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Contacting the Technical Support Group Contacting the Technical Support Group To obtain after-sales service or technical support for this product, contact EXFO at one of the following numbers. The Technical Support Group is available to take your calls from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time in North America). Technical Support Group 400 Godin Avenue Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA 1 866 683-0155 (USA and Canada) Tel.
4 Warranty General Information EXFO Inc. (EXFO) warrants this equipment against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of original shipment. EXFO also warrants that this equipment will meet applicable specifications under normal use.
Warranty Liability Liability EXFO shall not be liable for damages resulting from the use of the product, nor shall be responsible for any failure in the performance of other items to which the product is connected or the operation of any system of which the product may be a part. EXFO shall not be liable for damages resulting from improper usage or unauthorized modification of the product, its accompanying accessories and software.
Warranty Exclusions Exclusions EXFO reserves the right to make changes in the design or construction of any of its products at any time without incurring obligation to make any changes whatsoever on units purchased. Accessories, including but not limited to fuses, pilot lamps, batteries and universal interfaces (EUI) used with EXFO products are not covered by this warranty.
Warranty Service and Repairs Service and Repairs EXFO commits to providing product service and repair for five years following the date of purchase. To send any equipment for service or repair: 1. Call one of EXFO’s authorized service centers (see EXFO Service Centers Worldwide on page 33). Support personnel will determine if the equipment requires service, repair, or calibration. 2.
Warranty EXFO Service Centers Worldwide EXFO Service Centers Worldwide If your product requires servicing, contact your nearest authorized service center. EXFO Headquarters Service Center 400 Godin Avenue Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA EXFO Europe Service Center Winchester House, School Lane Chandlers Ford, Hampshire S053 4DG ENGLAND EXFO Telecom Equipment (Shenzhen) Ltd. 3rd Floor, Building 10, Yu Sheng Industrial Park (Gu Shu Crossing), No.
Index Index A after-sales service ........................................ 28 C cancelling dark current effects ...................... 4 caution of personal hazard................................... 1 of product hazard.................................... 1 circuit performance ....................................... 4 clearing power meter display ...................... 19 conventions, safety ....................................... 1 customer service..........................................
Index S safety caution .................................................... 1 conventions ............................................. 1 warning ................................................... 1 saving results, power meter ........................ 17 service and repairs....................................... 32 service centers ............................................. 33 setting power thresholds (power meter) ............. 5 reference values.......................................
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P/N: 1064624 www.EXFO.com · info@exfo.com CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 400 Godin Avenue Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA Tel.: 1 418 683-0211 · Fax: 1 418 683-2170 EXFO AMERICA 3400 Waterview Parkway Suite 100 Richardson, TX 75080 USA Tel.: 1 972-761-927 · Fax: 1 972-761-9067 EXFO EUROPE Winchester House, School Lane Chandlers Ford, Hampshire S053 4DG ENGLAND Tel.: +44 2380 246 800 · Fax: +44 2380 246 801 EXFO ASIA-PACIFIC 100 Beach Road, #25-01/03 Shaw Tower SINGAPORE 189702 Tel.
