Test Procedures

Test lead verification procedure

Simplex / duplex connectors Test Lead Verification

MPO connectors Test Lead Verification

Tier 1: Loss test procedures for systems with simplex & duplex connectors 

Multimode, two-way tester: TIA568.3-E TIA568.3-D / TIA526-14-C / TIA 568-C-0 & 526-14-A

Single mode, two-way tester: TIA568.3-E  / TIA568.3-D / TIA526-7-A TIA 568-C-0 & 526-7

Multimode, light source & power meter or loss test set (requires length to be measured elsewhere): TIA568.3-E / TIA568.3-D / TIA526-14-C / TIA568-C-0 & 526-14-A

Single mode, light source & power meter or loss test set (requires length to be measured elsewhere): TIA568.3-E / TIA568.3-D / TIA526-7-A / TIA 568-C-0 & 526-7

Loss test procedures for systems with MPO connectors 

(Deprecated, probably not useful)

Multimode, light source & power meter or loss test set (requires length to be measured elsewhere): TIA 568-C.0

Single mode, light source & power meter or loss test set (requires length to be measured elsewhere): TIA 568-C.0

Polarity / continuity test procedures

These craft procedures are specific to equipment and situations, and detailed procedures are not covered by these standards.

Procedures for eye safety are the responsibility of the organization performing relevant work, and will need to conform to current laser safety standards, particularly for visible laser fault finders.

Connector inspection procedures

Although not formally related to this standard, the IEC/ EN 61300-3-35 standard is commonly used as a reference for this activity
Procedures for eye safety are the responsibility of the organization performing relevant work, and will need to conform to current laser safety standards, particularly for microscopes.

Reporting Software

KITS reporting software is an integrated data recording and report building solution that helps you to produce reports based on the ANSI / EIA / TIA-568.3 standard.

Test Equipment

Fiber Optic Test Equipment Group

User manuals and equipment training

The links below have user manuals and instrument training PowerPoints.

Tier 1: Preferred loss test equipment for SM or MM fiber with simplex & duplex connectors

In one hook-up, these instruments perform length & bi-directional pass/fail loss testing at two wavelengths. So, a fiber tested with these instruments can be used anywhere in a related network. They are also equipped with an optical power meter, VFL, and tone source / detection, so can perform absolute power, polarity & continuity testing.

Tier 1: Preferred loss test equipment for MM fiber with simplex & duplex connectors

In one hook-up, these instruments perform length & bi-directional pass/fail loss testing at two wavelengths. So, a fiber tested with these instruments can be used anywhere in a related network. They are also equipped with an optical power meter, VFL, and tone source / detection, so can perform absolute power, polarity & continuity testing.

Tier 1: Preferred loss test equipment for SM fiber with simplex & duplex connectors

In one hook-up, these instruments perform length & bi-directional pass/fail loss testing at two wavelengths. So, a fiber tested with these instruments can be used anywhere in a related network. They are also equipped with an optical power meter, VFL, and tone source / detection, so can perform absolute power, polarity & continuity testing.

Tier 1: Preferred cleaning / inspection equipment, all connector types

  • AutoGet Wi-Fi automatic fiber inspection scope with pass/fail analysis.
  • K-TK1010 inspection scope & cleaning materials kit.
  • K-TK1012 MPO inspection scope & cleaning materials kit.
  • KI-TK1013 cleaning materials kit.

Tier 1: Preferred polarity / continuity test equipment, all connector types

Any Kingfisher loss test equipment can perform continuity / polarity testing using test tones.
If multiple sources are available, they can perform polarity testing on 12 fibers at a time using MultiFiber ID.
Loss test instruments fitted with either a VFL or VisiTester can perform quick visual testing.
Alternatively a Visual Fault Locator pen KI6350 can be used.
For MPO connectors, refer to MPO Visual Cable Verifier (other MPO fiber counts available)
All Kingfisher visible lasers conform to current laser safety standards.

Other: Loss test equipment for systems with SM or MM fiber and simplex or duplex connectors 

This equipment may require that cable length is measured elsewhere.

KI2824 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm source
KI28624 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm source with VisiTester VFL
KI2600-InGaAs Power meter
KI-TK072 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm Clean, Inspect, Test Kit
KITS™ Reporting software

KI2724-InGaAs 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm loss test set
KI27624-InGaAs 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm loss test set with VisiTester
KITS™ Reporting software

Other: Loss test equipment for systems with MM fiber and simplex or duplex connectors 

This equipment may require that cable length is measured elsewhere. These instruments can also test 1300 nm single-mode systems with up to 10 dB loss.

Basic: suitable for low volume or occasional use. The instruments can be locked by a supervisor to a particular wavelength.

KI9812 850 / 1300 nm LED source 
KI9600-VE Power meter, up to 50 u core
KI9600-InGaAs Power meter, up to 62.5 u core
KI-TK032 850 / 1300 nm Clean, Inspect, Test Kit
KITS™ Reporting software (manual data entry)

General: Automated, with data handling for medium to very high-density testing

KI2803 850 / 1300 nm source
KI28603 850 / 1300 nm source with VisiTester VFL
KI2600-InGaAs Power meter
KITS™ Reporting software 

KI2703-InGaAs 850 / 1300 nm loss test set
KI27603-InGaAs 850 / 1300 nm loss test set with VisiTester
KITS™ Reporting software

Other: Loss test equipment for systems with SM fiber and simplex or duplex connectors 

This equipment may require that cable length is measured elsewhere.

Basic: suitable for low volume or occasional use. The instruments can be locked by a supervisor to a particular wavelength.

KI9822 1310 / 1550 nm laser source 
KI9600-InGaAs Power meter,
KI-TK030 1310 / 1550 nm Clean, Inspect, Test Kit
KITS™ Reporting software (manual data entry)

General: Automated, with data handling for medium to very high-density testing

KI2822 1310 / 1550 nm source
KI28622 1310 / 1550 nm source with VisiTester VFL
KI2600-InGaAs Power meter
KITS™ Reporting software 

KI2722-InGaAs 1310 / 1550 nm loss test set
KI27622-InGaAs 1310 / 1550 nm loss test set with VisiTester
KITS™ Reporting software

Other: Loss test equipment for systems with SM or MM fiber and MPO connectors 

This equipment may require that cable length is measured elsewhere. For many short MPO links, length testing may not be useful / needed

These inexpensive clean, inspect & test kits perform single-directional loss testing at two wavelengths on many types of connectors including MPO / LC / SC etc. They are equipped with an optical power meter, and tone source / detection, so can also perform absolute power, polarity & continuity testing on ribbon fiber connectors up to 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 72 fibers. These kits also include cleaning and inspection products. At a modest price point, they provide a modest level of automation and practicality for many users.

Instruments can be supplied individually, or kit contents adjusted to your exact needs.

  • KI-TK071A MPO 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm test, inspect & clean kit + KITS™ Reporting software
  • KI-TK035 MPO 850 / 1300 & 1310 / 1550 nm test, inspect & clean kit
  • KI-TK034 MPO 1310 / 1550 nm test, inspect & clean kit
  • KI-TK033 MPO 850 / 1300 nm test, inspect & clean kit

Connector Summary

Kingfisher equipment has interchangeable connectors SC, LC, ST, universal 1.25, 2.5 mm etc, or additional connectors as stated.
Power meter ports handle both PC and APC connectors.
Light source ports and microscope adaptors are specified as PC or APC at time of ordering.
All power meter ports & microscopes handle duplex connectors using the relevant universal connector adaptor.

Standards Comparison

TIA-568.3 and TIA-526 are both USA standards related to fiber optic cabling, but they focus on different aspects:

  • TIA-568.3 (also known as ANSI/TIA-568.3) is a standard that specifies performance, transmission, and test requirements for premises optical fiber cabling, connectors, connecting hardware, and patch cords. It covers aspects such as maintaining optical fiber polarity and ensuring connectivity between transmitters and receivers using simplex, duplex, and array connectivity.

  • TIA-526-7 (multimode) & TIA-526-14 (single mode) are broader standards that provides uniform test procedures for testing all or part of fiber optic systems or subsystems intended for optical communications and data transmission. It includes various addenda that cover specific test procedures for different components and environments.

 

In essence, while TIA-568.3 focuses on the performance and requirements of optical fiber cabling and components within premises, TIA-526 provides the test procedures for evaluating the performance of installed fiber optic systems and subsystems.

In summary, both TIA-568.3 and TIA-526 provide similar loss test procedures, with TIA-526 adapting the IEC standards to align with TIA requirements. This ensures consistent testing methods across different regions.

© Kingfisher International, Australia, ABN 51 007 250 213