I would also suggest you use a ferrule cleaner every single time you touch an end
http://www.fiberoptics4sale.com/p/Fiber_Optic_Connector_Reel_Cleaners/SFM25 0.html Carlos Alcantar Race Communications / Race Team Member 1325 Howard Ave. #604, Burlingame, CA. 94010 Phone: +1 415 376 3314 / car...@race.com / http://www.race.com -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Anderson <c...@wpi.edu> Date: Thursday, September 26, 2013 10:52 AM To: "nanog@nanog.org" <nanog@nanog.org> Subject: Re: Suggestion on Fiber tester On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 02:23:37AM +0000, Blake Pfankuch - Mailing List wrote: > I am in the market for a simple fiber tester. I have about 80 pairs >running through my complex and we are running into some possible issues >with some of the really old ones. The pen light to confirm that it's the >right strand is going to require a little bit more insight to determine >if there is an issue with fiber in conduit or patch. > > I don't need something super fancy, just need something that gives a >good, bad or "holy crap is that concrete you are testing on" for >starters. I am also shooting for about $150-250 tops. > > Any suggestions? How about using the built-in Digital Optcis Monitoring (DOM/DDM) in modern SFPs? Assuming your switches/routers and SFPs support it, you can read the received power level right from your switches/routers. The cost might be zero if you already have capabile equipment... Combine that with a flashlight for identifying strands, and it might be all you need...