Fluke Networks Simplifiber PRO User Manual

SimpliFiber® Pro

September 2008, Rev. 3 3/2016

©2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 Fluke Corporation
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

Optical Power Meter and Fiber Test Kits

Users Manual

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each Fluke Networks product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service
unless stated otherwise herein. The warranty period for the mainframe is one year and begins on the date of purchase. Parts,
accessories, product repairs and services are warranted for 90 days, unless otherwise stated. Ni-Cad, Ni-MH and Li-Ion batteries,
cables or other peripherals are all considered parts or accessories. The warranty extends only to the original buyer or end user
customer of a Fluke Networks authorized reseller, and does not apply to any product which, in Fluke Networks’ opinion, has
been misused, abused, altered, neglected, contaminated, or damaged by accident or abnormal conditions of operation or
handling. Fluke Networks warrants that software will operate substantially in accordance with its functional specifications for
90 days and that it has been properly recorded on non-defective media. Fluke Networks does not warrant that software will be
error free or operate without interruption.

Fluke Networks authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new and unused products to end-user customers only but
have no authority to extend a greater or different warranty on behalf of Fluke Networks. Warranty support is available only if
product is purchased through a Fluke Networks authorized sales outlet or Buyer has paid the applicable international price. To
the extent permitted by law, Fluke Networks reserves the right to invoice Buyer for repair/replacement when a product
purchased in one country is submitted for repair in another country.

For a list of authorized resellers, visit
Fluke Networks warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke Networks option, to refund of the purchase price, free of charge repair,

or replacement of a defective product which is returned to a Fluke Networks authorized service center within the warranty
period.

To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Fluke Networks authorized service center to obtain return authorization
information, then send the product to that service center, with a description of the difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid
(FOB destination). Fluke Networks assumes no risk for damage in transit. Following warranty repair, the product will be
returned to Buyer, transportation prepaid (FOB destination). If Fluke Networks determines that failure was caused by neglect,
misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal condition of operation or handling, or normal wear and tear of
mechanical components, Fluke Networks will provide an estimate of repair costs and obtain authorization before commencing
the work. Following repair, the product will be returned to the Buyer transportation prepaid and the Buyer will be billed for
the repair and return transportation charges (FOB Shipping point).

THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
FLUKE NETWORKS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES,
INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY.

Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an implied warranty, or exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, the limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not apply to every buyer. If any
provision of this Warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction, such
holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

4/15

www.flukenetworks.com/wheretobuy.

Fluke Networks
PO Box 777
Everett, WA 98206-0777
USA

Contents

Title Page

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Registration ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1

The Fluke Networks Knowledge Base ..............................................................................................

Contacting Fluke Networks ......................................................................................................

Safety Information ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Battery Installation, Life, and Status .

Meter and Source Features ...................................

Display Features .................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Setting User Preferences ........................................................................................................

Continuous Wave/2 kHz Modes .....................................................................................................

Auto Wavelength Mode ...........................................................................................................

Cleaning Connectors and Adapters ...............................................................................................

Cleaning Bulkhead Connectors (

Cleaning Fiber Adapters ................................................................................................................................................ 13

Cleaning Connector Ends ........................................................................................................

Changing the Connector Adapter .................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... 5

............................................................................................................... 6

............................................... 10

meters, sources and patch panels) .......................................................................... 13

................................... 2

............................................ 2

...................................... 12

............................................ 12

...................................... 13

...................................... 13

...................................... 14

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual

Detecting Active Fibers ......................................................................................................................................................... 16

Locating Fibers .................................................................................................................

Measuring Optical Power ..........................................................................................................

Using the Min/Max Function ......................................................................................................

Measuring Loss ...................................................................................................................

About 1 Jumper Connections .....................................................................................................

Testing the Test Reference Cords ...............................................................................................

About Referencing ..............................................................................................................

Setting the Reference .................................................................................................................................................... 23

Measuring Loss .................................................................................................................

If Loss is Negative .............................................................................................................

Memory Functions .................................................................................................................................................................29

Viewing and Deleting Records ...................................................................................................

Uploading Records to a PC .......................................................................................................

Maintenance .......................................................................................................................................................................... 32

Cleaning .......................................................................................................................

Checking the Meter’s Software Version an

Options and Accessories ..........................................................................................................

Specifications ...................................................................................................................

Environmental Specifications ...................................................................................................

Meter Specifications ....................................................................................................................................................... 33

Multimode Source ...............................................................................................................

1310 nm/1550 nm Singlemode Source ................................................................................................

d Calibration Date ................................................................................... 32

...................................................... 18

........................................... 20

................................... 22

................................................... 23

................................... 23

................................... 23

........................................... 23

.............................................. 26

.............................................. 29

................................... 29

..................................... 31

................................................... 32

.............................................. 32

...................................................... 33

..................................... 33

........................................... 35

..........................37

ii

1490 nm/1625 nm Singlemode Source ......................................................................................................................... 39

FindFiber Source Specifications ..................................................................................................

Certifications, Compliance, and Regulatory Information .........................................................................

Appendix A: How to Test Your Test Reference Cords ...........................................................................................

Appendix B: Using Mandrels ..................................................................................................................

Appendix C: Fiber Test Method Names ..........................................................................................................

Appendix D: Loss Test Methods ................................................................................................................

Index ............................................................................................................................

.......................................................... 65

................................... 41

.................. 42

............. 43

.............................. 49

..................... 53

........................... 55

Contents

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

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iv

List of Figures

Figure Page

1. Installing the Batteries.......................................................................................................................................... 5

2. Meter and Source Features .................................................................................................................................. 6

3. Display Features .................................................................................................................................................... 8

4. Installing the Connector Adapter ........................................................................................................................ 15

5. Detecting Active Fibers.........................................................................................................................................17

6. Using FindFiber Mode to Locate Fibers ...............................................................................................................19

7. Power Measurement Connections ....................................................................................................................... 20

8. Power Measurement Display................................................................................................................................21

9. Power Measurement Display with Min/Max Function Enabled.........................................................................22

10. Reference Connections (1 Jumper method) ........................................................................................................25

11. Loss Measurement Connections (1 Jumper method).......................................................................................... 27

12. Loss Measurement Display ................................................................................................................................... 28

13. View Record Display .............................................................................................................................................30

14. Connecting to a PC ...............................................................................................................................................31

A-1. Equipment for Testing the Test Reference Cords ............................................................................................... 44

A-2. Examples of Fiber Endfaces ..................................................................................................................................45

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

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Figure Page

A-3. Connections for Testing a Test Reference Cord ..................................................................................................47

B-1. Wrapping a Test Reference Cord Around a Mandrel .........................................................................................50

B-2. Mandrel Placement ...............................................................................................................................................51

D-1. Reference and Test Connections for the 1 Jumper Method...............................................................................57

D-2. Reference and Test Connections for the 2 Jumper Method...............................................................................59

D-3. Reference and Test Connections for the 3 Jumper Method...............................................................................61

D-4. Reference and Test Connections for the Modified 1 Jumper Method ..............................................................63

vi

SimpliFiber® Pro Fiber Test Kits

Introduction

The SimpliFiber® Pro Fiber Test kits provide an optical power
meter, optical power source, and fiber locator that let you
do the following:



Measure optical power or power loss at multiple
wavelengths in one test. The meter measures at 850
1300 nm, 1310 nm, 1490 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm.
Source wavelengths depend on the model used.



Check fibers for optical activity with CheckActive
mode.



Identify links at patch panels with FindFiber™ mode.



Optional visual fault locator and fiber microscopes let
you locate cable faults and inspect fiber endfaces for
contamination or damage.

nm,

™



Save up to 1000 test records. You can use LinkWare™ PC
software to upload the records to a PC and create
professional-quality test reports.

Registration

Registering your product with Fluke Networks gives you
access to valuable information on product updates,
troubleshooting tips, and other support services. To register,
fill out the online registration form on the Fluke Networks
website at www.flukenetworks.com.

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits



Users Manual

The Fluke Networks Knowledge Base

The Fluke Networks Knowledge Base answers common
questions about Fluke Networks products and provides
articles on cable testing techniques and technology. To
access the Knowledge Base, log on to

www.flukenetworks.com, then click SUPPORT >

Knowledge Base.

Contacting Fluke Networks



Singapore: [phone]



Taiwan: (886) 2-227-83199



USA: 1-800-283-5853

Visit our website for a complete list of phone numbers.

Safety Information

Table 1 describes the international electrical symbols used
on the tester and in this manual.

www.flukenetworks.com

[e-mail]
[phone]



Australia: 61 (2) 8850-3333 or 61 (3) 9329 0244



Beijing: 86 (10) 6512-3435



Brazil: 11 3759 7600



Canada: 1-800-363-5853



Europe: [phone]



Hong Kong: 852 2721-3228



Japan: 03-6714-3117



Korea: 82 2 539-6311

2









Table 1. International Electrical Symbols

Warning or Caution: risk of damage or
destruction t
explanations in the manual.

Warning: Risk of electric shock.

Warning: Class 1 laser (singlemode and
FindFiber
hazardous radiation.

Do not put products containing circuit boards
into the garbage.
accordance with local regulations.

o equipment or software. See

sources). Risk of eye damage from

Dispose of circuits boards in

Warning: Class 1 Laser (singlemode and

FindFiber sources)

To avoid possible eye damage caused by hazardous

radiation and to prevent possible fire, electric

shock, or personal injury:



Read all safety information before you use the

Product.



Carefully read all instructions.



Do not open the case. You cannot repair or replace

parts in the case.



Do not modify the Product.



Use only replacement parts that are approved by

Fluke Networks.



Do not use the Product around explosive gas,

vapor, or in damp or wet environments.



Use this Product indoors only.



Use the Product only as specified, or the protection

supplied by the Product can be compromised.



Do not use and disable the Product if it is damaged.



Safety Information



Do not use the Product if it operates incorrectly.



Have an approved technician repair the Product.



Never look directly into optical connectors. Some
sources produce invisible radiation that can
permanently damage your eyes.



Never turn on the source unless a fiber is attached
to the port.



Do not use magnification to view the optical
outputs without proper filtering.



Use of controls, adjustments, or procedures not
stated herein might result in hazardous radiation
exposure.



Batteries contain hazardous chemicals that can
cause burns or explode. If exposure to chemicals
occurs, clean with water and get medical aid.



Remove the batteries if the Product is not used for
an extended period of time, or if stored in
temperatures above 50 °C. If the batteries are not
removed, battery leakage can damage the Product.



The battery door must be closed and locked before
you operate the Product.

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual



Repair the Product before use if the battery leaks.



Replace the batteries when the low battery
indicator shows to prevent incorrect
measurements.



Turn off the Product and disconnect all test leads,
patch cords, and cables before you replace the
battery.



Be sure that the battery polarity is correct to
prevent battery leakage.



Do not disassemble or crush battery cells and
battery packs.



Do not put battery cells and battery packs near
heat or fire. Do not put in sunlight.

Caution

To avoid damaging fiber connectors, to avoid data
loss, and to ensure maximum accuracy of test
results:



Use proper cleaning procedures to clean all fiber
connectors before every use. Neglecting this step
or using improper procedures can cause unreliable
test results and may permanently damage the
connectors.



Cover all connectors with protective caps when not
in use.



Never connect the source to an active network.
Doing so can disrupt network operations.

4

Battery Installation, Life, and Status

AA
IEC LR6
NEDA 15A

AA
IEC LR6
NEDA 15A

Note: Fluke Networks recommends alkaline batteries.

Battery Installation, Life, and Status

Figure 1. Installing the Batteries

ffl03.eps

Table 2. Battery Life and Low Battery Indicators

Battery

Device

Meter >50 hours

Life1 Low Battery Indicator

(blinks continuously)

Multimode source 40 hours

Singlemode sources 30 hours

LOW BATTERY LED

blinks conti

nuousl

y

FindFiber source >80 hours LED blinks

continuously

1. Typical. See the specifications.

2. The LOW BATTERY LED blinks occasionally if auto power-off

is disabled. See page 10.

2

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual

Meter and Source Features

ffl04.eps

Figure 2. Meter and Source Features

6

Meter and Source Features

 : On/off key.
   : Softkeys, which provide functions related to

the current display. The funtions are displayed above

the keys.

 : Selects the meter’s measurement mode. To enter

setup mode, hold down

 for 4 seconds. See page 10.

 LCD display.
 Input port with interchangeable connector adapter. See

page 14.

 USB port for uploading test records to a PC. See page 31.
 : Selects auto wavelength mode. The AUTO LED

lights. Press

wavelength LEDs indicate the wavelength. See page 12.

 to change the wavelength. The

 : Switches between continuous wave and 2 kHz

modulated output signals. The CW/2 kHz LED lights if
the output i
modulated. See page 12.

Also enables or disables auto power-off. See page 10.

s continuous. It blinks if the output is

 : Selects FindFiber mode. The ID LED lights if the

source is in FindFiber mode. See page 18.

 The LOW BATTERY LED blinks continuously if the

battery is low. The LED blinks occasionally if auto power­off is disabled. See page 10.

 Output port with SC adapter.

7

SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

E

C

I

K

L
M
N

O

D

Q

R

S

J

P

F

Users Manual

Display Features

Figure 3. Display Features

ffl01.eps

 : Indicates that pressing  or  scrolls through

choices in the current mode.

 SAVE: Indicates that pressing  saves the power or loss

measurement.

 RECORD: Label for the record number. VIEW RECORD:

Indicates the meter is displaying saved measurements.
See page 29.

 REF (reference): Label for the reference level in loss

mode. dBm: Measurement unit for the reference level.
See page 23.

  CheckActive

mode. CheckActive
fiber activity. See page 16.

 Numeric display with units for loss (dB) and power

measurements (mW, µW, dBm).

 Numeric display for the wavelength.
 FindFiber

source. ID is the label for the source’s identification
number, which appears on the numeric display (
page 18.

 POWER: The meter is measuring power. See page 20.
 LOSS: The meter is measuring power loss. See page 26.

™

: Indicates the meter is testing for a FindFiber

™

: Indicators for CheckActive

™

indicates the meter is testing for

). See

8

Display Features

 : Low battery indicator. See page 5.
 2 kHz: The meter detects a 2 kHz modulated optical

signal. See page 12.

 : The meter is connected to a PC through the USB

port. See page 31.

 AUTO: The meter detects the auto wavelength

identifier in the optical signal. See page 12.

 OK : The operation succeeded (OK) or failed .

 Max Min: Indicators for maximum (Max) and minimum

(Min) power measurements. See page 22.

 DELETE?: Indicates that pressing  deletes the current

record. DELETE ALL? indicates that pressing
all records. See page 29.

 deletes

 SET REF: Indicates that pressing  saves the power

measurement as the reference value. See page 23.

 : Indicates that pressing  changes the wavelength

being measured.

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual

Setting User Preferences

For the meter:

1

To enter setup mode, hold down  for 4 seconds.

2

To scroll through the setup items (Table 3), press . To
change settings, press

3

To exit setup mode, press  until the meter is in the
desired test mode.

 .

For the source:

If auto power-off is enabled, the source turns off after 30
minutes if no keys are pressed.

To disable or enable auto power-off, hold down
seconds.



If auto power-off is enabled, all LEDs turn on for 3
seconds.



If auto power-off is disabled, all LEDs blink for 3 seconds
and the LOW BATTERY LED blinks occasionally.

 for 4

10

Setting User Preferences

Table 3. Meter Setup Items

Meter Setup Item Choices

Enab

le or disable Min Max mode for power measurements.

mW µW dBm Select a unit for power measurements: milliwatts (mW), microwatts (μw), or decibels

relative to 1 mW (dBm).

Turn the backlight off or on.

Select a time period for the meter to turn off automatically if no keys are pressed. The
meter will not turn off if it is connected to a source that is in AUTO or ID mode.



Dashes ( ) indicate auto power-off is disabled.

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SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual

Continuous Wave/2 kHz Modes

Press  to switch the source between continuous wave
and 2 kHz modulated output signals.



Use continuous wave mode (CW/2 kHz LED on steady) if
making loss or power measurements with a meter other
than a SimpliFiber Pro meter.



Use the 2 kHz modulated output mode (CW/2 kHz LED
blinking) if locating fibers with a meter other than a
SimpliFiber Pro meter.

Auto Wavelength Mode

In auto wavelength mode the source’s signal includes an
identifier that tells the meter which wavelength to
measure. You can set the source to one wavelength or to
automatically switch between wavelengths. When the
source is automatically switching, the meter can
automatically measure loss or power at each wavelength in
one test. If you save the measurements, the meter saves all
wavelengths measured in one record.

To set the source to auto wavelength mode:

1

If the AUTO LED is not on, press .

2

Press  to manually switch wavelengths (one
wavelength LED is on) or to set the meter to
automatically switch between wavelengths
(wavelength LEDs blink alternately).

If the meter detects the auto wavelength signal, AU
appears on the display, and the meter automatically
measures at the correct wavelength.

TO

12

Cleaning Connectors and Adapters

Cleaning Connectors and Adapters

Always clean and inspect fiber connectors before making
connections. Use fiber optic solvent and optical-grade wipes
or swabs to clean connectors as follows:

Cleaning Bulkhead Connectors (meters, sources and patch panels)

1

Touch the tip of a fiber optic solvent pen or swab

soaked in solvent to a lint-free dry wipe or fiber

cleaning card.

2

Touch a new, dry swab to the solvent spot on the wipe

or card.

3

Push the swab into the connector, twist it around 3 to 5

times against the end-face, then remove and dispose of

the swab.

4

Dry the connector with a dry swab by twisting it

around in the connector 3 to 5 times.

5

Inspect connectors with a fiber microscope, such as the

Fluke Networks FiberInspector

before making connections.

™

Video Microscope,

Cleaning Fiber Adapters

Periodically clean fiber adapters with a swab and fiber optic
solvent. Dry with a dry swab before use.

Cleaning Connector Ends

1

Touch the tip of a fiber optic solvent pen or swab
soaked in solvent to a lint-free dry wipe or fiber
cleaning card.

2

Wipe the connector end-face across the solvent spot,
then back and forth once across the dry area of the
wipe or card.

Note

Some connector styles, such as VF-45, may require a

ferent cleaning method.

dif

Always cover unused connectors with protective caps. Clean
caps periodically with a swab or wipe and fiber optic
solvent.

13

SimpliFiber Pro Meter and Test Kits

Users Manual

Changing the Connector Adapter

You can change the meter’s connector adapter to connect
to SC, ST, and LC fiber connectors. Additional adapter styles
may be available. Check the Fluke Networks web site for
updates.

Caution



Cover all connectors with dust caps when not in
use.



Store extra connector adapters in the canisters
provided.



Do not touch the photodiode lens (see Figure 4).



Do not overtighten the adapter or use tools to
tighten the adapter.

To install a connector adapter, refer to Figure 4 and do the
foll

owing:

1

Locate the slot in the meter’s connector and the key on
the adapter ring.

2

Holding the adapter so it does not turn in the nut,
align the adapter's key with the meter connector's slot
and slide the adapter onto the connector.

3

Screw the nut onto the meter connector.

14

Changing the Connector Adapter

Figure 4. Installing the Connector Adapter

ffl05.eps

15