OTDR Launch Box

OTDRs are used on outside plant cables to check the loss of each splice and locate any stress points that were caused during installation. OTDRs use the backscattered light of the fiber to indicate loss. With an installed cable plant the OTDR trace will show every connector splice, break, and anomaly in the fiber.

The OTDR Launch Box acts as a companion to OTDR test equipment. There are a few reasons to use a launch box (also know as a “launch cable” or “pulse suppressor”). One, the launch cable helps avoid problems with the dead zone, or the area close to the OTDR which causes an overload from the crosstalk between the instrument and the reflectance from the connector face of the OTDR. The long recovery time means the OTDR cannot make useful measurements near the instrument itself. The launch cable allows time for the OTDR trace to settle down after the test pulse is sent into the fiber so the beginning of the cable being tested can be analyzed.

Second the launch cable provides a reference to push out the first connector of the cable under test so that a picture of the fiber can be taken, as it acts as a reference point for the first connector on the cable under test to determine its loss.

The assembly in the launch box is a simplex bare glass fiber which is a specified length (generally 100 meters for Multimode and 300 meters for Singlemode). The fiber is a fixed length and is terminated with one connector type for the OTDR and the other to match the coupler that the cable under test will be plugged into. The connectors have a standard UPC polish, but APC polish can be added to SC, LC, or FC connectors.  The fiber and the connectors are both Genuine Corning brand material, and this product is made in the USA at the time of the order to your specifications. If you need a lenght that is not a standard option, just email [email protected] for a custom quote. 



Specs:

Applicable Temperature Restrictions:
Storage temperature: -40 to +70degrees Celsius
Operating temperature: 0 to +70degrees Celsius

Multimode 62.5/125 (850/ 1300nm)
Max attenuation (dB/km): 3.75/1.5
Typical attenuation (dB/km) : 3.0/1.0

Multimode 50 /125 (850/ 1300nm)
Max attenuation (dB/km): 3.5/1.5
Typical attenuation (dB/km) : 3.0/1.0

Singlemode  (1310/ 1550nm)
Max attenuation (dB/km): 1.0/.75
Typical attenuation (dB/km) : 0.5/0.4

Connector Physical Contact Specifications:

All terminations measured per BELLCORE GR-326-CORE
Typical radius of curvature 10-30nm
Typical apex offset < 50uM
Fiber undercut/protrusion +/- 50nM
Maximum insertion loss -.5dB
Typical return loss -55dB

Case Composition:
High density polyethylene
Neoprene enviromental seal O-ring
Butterfly twist latches
Spring-loaded handle
Meets ATA-300, Category 1, & Certain Military Specifications