Installation Guide

Page 39 of 41
TECHNICAL GUIDELINE
August 13, 2018
TG02 Rev.13
Communications 800.551.8948 | Fax [phone] | SuperiorEssex.com
Other Test Parameters Description
PSANEXT Loss
PSANEXT (power sum alien near-end crosstalk) loss is the power sum of the unwanted signal coupling from multiple
disturbing pairs of one or more 4-pair channels, permanent links, or components to a disturbed pair of another 4-pair
channel, permanent link, or component, measured at the near-end.
Average PSANEXT Loss Average PSANEXT loss is the mean of the PSANEXT loss measurements.
Optical Fiber Cable Testing
Proper testing of Optical Fiber Cable increases the system’s longevity, minimizes system downtime,
reduces maintenance needs, and supports system upgrades and reconfigurations.
Fiber optic cable is tested for continuity and attenuation. Three test methods are commonly
performed for Optical Fiber:
• Visible Light Source
• Power-meter-and light-source (One Jumper Method)
• Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
Visible Light Source Testing
Visible Light Source tests continuity in optical fiber stands. Optical fiber communication systems
operate in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum which is invisible to the human
eye. However, (red) visible light sources are available for testing and troubleshooting optical fiber
systems. They are also referred to as visual fault finders, visual fault locators, among other names.
To test using a visible light source, perform the following:
Step Action
 Connect the optical fiber flashlight to one end of a fiber strand (with most units, the fiber must be terminated).

Look at the opposite end.
⚠ Be careful not to look directly at active optical fiber strands. Laser light sources can cause serious eye damage.

If the light is not visible at the opposite end, a break or other problem is likely present somewhere along the
length of the fiber. In many instances, the fault location will glow red from the light of the visible light source.
 Document the test result information.
Power-Meter-and-Light-Source Testing
Power-meter-and-light-source (also known as the One Jumper Method) is the most accurate way
to measure end-to-end signal loss of the fiber, referred to as attenuation. Listed below are
TIA/EIA-568 insertion loss limits for the various components. Specific installations or protocols
may impose stricter limits.
    
Element Insertion Loss
Splice < 0.3 dB at all wavelengths
Connector Pair < 0.75 dB at all wavelengths