This is your "QuickStart" guide to testing fiber optic cable plants, patchcords and communications equipment with a fiber optic light source and power meter. As the components like fiber, connectors, splices, LED or laser sources, detectors and receivers are being developed, testing confirms their performance specifications and helps. ic system. Fiber optic testing of a newly installed system not only verifies that the system meets its design requirements, but also creates a performance baseline for all future testing and troubleshooting of t at system. Corning recommends that all fiber optic systems be tested to a minimum set. FOA "Quickstart Guides" are short, simple guides to basic fiber optic tests. All are written in the same straightforward format: what equipment do you need, what are the procedures for testing, options in implementing the test, measurement errors and documenting the results. They describe how to set a '0 dB' reference, control mode power distribution, and use proper wavelengths. Lower attenuation means less signal loss over distance.
