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Mechanical Splice: A splice where the fibers are aligned created by mechanical means
Multimode fiber: has a bigger core (almost always 62.5 microns ) and is used at wavelengths of 850 and 1300 nm for short distance, lower speed networks like LANs.
Plastic optical fiber (POF): is a large core (about 1mm) multimode fiber that can be used for
short, low speed networks.
Singlemode fiber: has a much smaller core, only about 9 microns, and is used for telephony
and CATV with laser sources at 1300 and 1550 nm. It can go very long distances at very high speeds.
Splice: a permanent joint between two fibers
Fiber Performance Specifications and Instrumentation
Attenuation: The reduction in optical power as it passes along a fiber, usually expressed in decibels (dB). See optical loss
Bandwidth: The range of signal frequencies or bit rate within which a fiber optic component, link or network will operate.
Cleaver: A tool that precisely "breaks" the fiber to produce a flat end for polishing or splicing.
Crimper: A tool that crimps the connector to the aramid fibers in the cable to add mechanical strength.
dBm: Optical power referenced to 1 milliwatt
Decibels (dB): A unit of measurement of optical power which indicates relative power. A -10 dB
means a reduction in power by 10 times, -20 dB means another 10 times or 100 times alltogether.
Fiber Stripper: A precise stripper used to remove the buffer coating of the fiber itself for
termination. There at three types in common use, called by their trade names: "Miller Stripper", "No-Nik" and "Micro Strip."
Fiber Tracer: An instrument that allows visual checking of continuity and tracing for correct connections
Jacket Slitter or Stripper: A cutter for removing the heavy outside jacket of cables
Mating Adapter: also called splice bushing or couplers, allow two cables with connectors to mate.
Micron (m): A unit of measure used to measure wavelength of light.
Microscope: used to inspect the end surface of a connector for flaws or dirt.
Nanometer (nm): A unit of measure used to measure the wavelength of light (meaning one one
-billilonth of a meter)
Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS): A measurement instrument for optical loss that includes both a meter and source
Optical Loss: The amount of optical power lost as light is transmitted through fiber, splices, couplers, etc, expressed in dB.
Optical Power Meter: An instrument that measures optical power from the end of a fiber
Optical Power: is measured in "dBm", or decibels referenced to one miliwatt of power. While
loss is a relative reading, optical power is an absolute measurement.
Polishing Film: Fine grit film used to polish the end of the connector ferrule.
Polishing Puck: for connectors that require polishing, the puck holds the connector in proper alignment to the polishing film.
Reference Test Cables: short, single fiber cables with connectors on both ends, used to test unknown cables.
Scattering: The change of direction of light after striking small particles that causes loss in
optical fibers and is used to make measurements by an OTDR
Scribe: A hard, sharp tool that scratches the fiber to allow cleaving.
Test Source: an instrument that uses a laser or LED to send an optical signal into fiber for testing loss of the fiber
Visual Fault Locator: A device that allows visual tracing and testing of continuity.
Wavelength: A term for the color of light, usually expressed in nanometers (nm) or microns (m
). Fiber is mostly used in the infrared region where the light is invisible to the human eye.
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