RE: Fiber Cable Tester
http://images7.cafepress.com/product/27561027v7_240x240_Front.jpg -sc -Original Message- From: wjh [mailto:nt...@hedgedigger.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:46 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Bill Len Hammond wrote: In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com mailto:lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
The power per unit surface area still can be high enough to do damage to individual rods and cones on your retina. Camera sensors have the same issue with lasers used on movie sets, dance clubs, etc... they are considered safe for public use, but direct exposure can do damage. -sc -Original Message- From: Phillip Partipilo [mailto:p...@psnet.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 6:13 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Fiber Cable Tester They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5M Tk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
Only works for devices that use visible light, though. -Original Message- From: wjh [mailto:nt...@hedgedigger.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 4:46 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Bill Len Hammond wrote: In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com mailto:lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ NOTICE: Florida has a broad public records law. Most written communications to or from this entity are public records that will be disclosed to the public and the media upon request. E-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
Maybe so, but all of my MMF transceivers are Class I laser -Original Message- From: Phil Brutsche [mailto:p...@optimumdata.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 7:03 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester Multimode optics tend to be LED, not laser. Still wouldn't point the output side of a fiber pair at my eyeball. Ben Scott wrote: It depends. The lasers used for single-mode LX fiber can blind you. Multimode, I'm not sure. I wouldn't take the risk. -- Phil Brutsche p...@optimumdata.com ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 10:25 AM, Mike French mike.fre...@theequitybank.com wrote: Maybe so, but all of my MMF transceivers are Class I laser diode laser, essentially a laser driven by an LED. They're still lasers. A Class I (one) laser is supposed to be inherently safe at all times; you're supposed to be able to stare into it without vision damage. I've never tested that theory. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
http://starringthecomputer.com/snapshots/real_genius_hp_150_1.jpg Kurt Buff wrote: One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Great movie!! On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: http://starringthecomputer.com/snapshots/real_genius_hp_150_1.jpg Kurt Buff wrote: One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here:http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- Sherry Abercrombie Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
I need to find it on DVD... On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 2:18 PM, Sherry Abercrombie saber...@gmail.comwrote: Great movie!! On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: http://starringthecomputer.com/snapshots/real_genius_hp_150_1.jpg Kurt Buff wrote: One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here:http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- Sherry Abercrombie Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
+1 ! -- ME2 On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 2:18 PM, Sherry Abercrombie saber...@gmail.comwrote: Great movie!! On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: http://starringthecomputer.com/snapshots/real_genius_hp_150_1.jpg Kurt Buff wrote: One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here:http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- Sherry Abercrombie Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
Yeah I have one of their 125mw greenies. Real powerful. stings the skin, pops balloons, etches dark plastic cups/mousepads/etc. They are class IIIb iirc. Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Kurt Buff [mailto:kurt.b...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 7:47 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5 MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MjQ4Mzc5On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Bill Len Hammond wrote: In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com mailto:lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
Poor man's LASIX? /groan -Original Message- From: wjh [mailto:nt...@hedgedigger.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:46 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Bill Len Hammond wrote: In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com mailto:lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Oooo, home grown Lasik surgery! wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com 9/24/2009 1:45 PM Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Bill Len Hammond wrote: In my last full time gig, I had an OmniScanner II for Ethernet. It had an option to add a Fiber tester to the device. The OmniScanner retailed for about $8500 I bought it new in 2000 for $5000 and the Fiber option was about $1500 and I didn't get one. It had TDR for copper and I am assuming that it would work for the fiber as well. Great device but a bit pricy if you don't need one often. Wish they would have let me take it with me when I left. I'm sure no one left there knows how to use it. I could use it more often now than when I was there. Many small clients with wiring issues. Omni was bought by Fluke some time in 2004 to 2006 and the Omni technology was incorporated into the current Fluke network testers. The last piece of fiber I pulled we did test with a flashlight. Mostly to see if we broke it during the 600 foot pull and to get the polarity right on the connectors. The flashlight worked great although we didn't get any other data telling just how good the fiber was going to work but typically fiber either works or it doesn't. Not a lot of grey area. Len Hammond CSI:Hartland lenhamm...@gmail.com mailto:lenhamm...@gmail.com On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 6:13 PM, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com wrote: Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? It depends. The lasers used for single-mode LX fiber can blind you. Multimode, I'm not sure. I wouldn't take the risk. Or maybe just a class II laser ... Class II lasers can still cause eye damage if you override your blink reflex -- for example, by staring into the end of a fiber cable. It's not like it's gonna make your eyeball explode. This isn't Hollywood. But it can still damage your vision. You probably won't even feel a thing. In high school, I damaged my skin just by holding one of those light pens used in a library barcoding system against the back of my hand for a few seconds. I got a rather scary looking brown-black-purple blemish that lasted for several weeks. Now imagine if that was your retina. Those yellow warning labels aren't there for show. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
One of my favorite sites: http://www.wickedlasers.com/ Note the performance comparison chart a little more than half way down... Kurt On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 15:13, Phillip Partipilo p...@psnet.com wrote: They can't possibly be very powerful.. Are they? Wouldn't they use a bright LED instead of a laser? Or maybe just a class II laser, like those cheap keychain bullet shaped lasers you can buy at gas stations for a few bucks? Phillip Partipilo Parametric Solutions Inc. Jupiter, Florida (561) 747-6107 -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM, wjh nt...@hedgedigger.com wrote: Aside from flashlight you could plug it on the sending side and see if light makes it through. Just don't look directly into it. You should reflect it on your hand or a piece of paper. That is, if you like having eye sight. Yikes. Be *very* careful, here. You can only look at a laser twice. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ -- If this email is spam, report it here: http://www.onlymyemail.com/view/?action=reportSpamId=ODEzNjQ6OTY5MTc5MTk4On BqcEBwc25ldC5jb20%3D THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. THIS ELECTRONIC MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THE SENDER. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THE ADDRESSEE ONLY. ANY OTHER INTERCEPTION, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SENDER AND DELETE THIS MAIL AND ALL ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE SENDER. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Multimode optics tend to be LED, not laser. Still wouldn't point the output side of a fiber pair at my eyeball. Ben Scott wrote: It depends. The lasers used for single-mode LX fiber can blind you. Multimode, I'm not sure. I wouldn't take the risk. -- Phil Brutsche p...@optimumdata.com ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Fiber Cable Tester
Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? Specifically looking for one that can test single-mode and muti-mode LC - LC cables, but it would be nice if it could test other types as well (SC, ST, etc). - Sean ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
I've got an acquaintance that's a bit of an authority in fiber, and that's his current specialty. I've emailed him for his opinion, don't know if he's available and 'listening' to email right now as he travels a lot on big fiber installation jobs _ From: Sean Martin [mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 2:52 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Fiber Cable Tester Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? Specifically looking for one that can test single-mode and muti-mode LC - LC cables, but it would be nice if it could test other types as well (SC, ST, etc). - Sean ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
We had to rent an OTDR a while back to track down a break in a very long run of fiber. Holy crap, was that thing expensive... John Hornbuckle MIS Department Taylor County School District 318 North Clark Street Perry, FL 32347 www.taylor.k12.fl.us -Original Message- From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 3:05 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ NOTICE: Florida has a broad public records law. Most written communications to or from this entity are public records that will be disclosed to the public and the media upon request. E-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
flash light on one end and a piece of paper on the other end? heh, always works for me the few times i've been troubleshooting a fiber hookup. Sean Martin wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? Specifically looking for one that can test single-mode and muti-mode LC - LC cables, but it would be nice if it could test other types as well (SC, ST, etc). - Sean ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) - Original Message - From: Sean Martin To: NT System Admin Issues Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:27 PM Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Honestly, I'd never thought of that. Does it actually work? I guess my concern is that it wouldn't identify all possible imperfections within the strand. I'm no fiber expert, but my understanding is that light impulses basically bounce down each strand, and that is why sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order, depending how they strike that bend. I would imagine a constant light source may still be able to travel the strand even if minor fractures existed, where data transmission could be negatively affected. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 1:34 PM, James Kerr cluster...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) - Original Message - *From:* Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com *To:* NT System Admin Issues ntsysadmin@lyris.sunbelt-software.com *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:27 PM *Subject:* Re: Fiber Cable Tester We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
One of the tools I had in my fiber toolkit was a magnifier. It's specifically designed for fiber connectors. It has an internal light source and will magnify the surface of the fiber well enough to see if there are problems at the fiber ends. As far as internally, it's pretty much plug-n-pray, with the flashlight trick letting you know if light is at least getting through, which would rule out a total break. But to be honest, fiber patch cables are pretty darn tough, for the most part. Just don't crimp them in a cabinet door... Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com 9/23/2009 3:32 PM Honestly, I'd never thought of that. Does it actually work? I guess my concern is that it wouldn't identify all possible imperfections within the strand. I'm no fiber expert, but my understanding is that light impulses basically bounce down each strand, and that is why sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order, depending how they strike that bend. I would imagine a constant light source may still be able to travel the strand even if minor fractures existed, where data transmission could be negatively affected. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 1:34 PM, James Kerr cluster...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) - Original Message - *From:* Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com *To:* NT System Admin Issues ntsysadmin@lyris.sunbelt-software.com *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:27 PM *Subject:* Re: Fiber Cable Tester We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
Fair enough! Thanks to everyone for the responses. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:42 PM, Joseph Heaton jhea...@dfg.ca.gov wrote: One of the tools I had in my fiber toolkit was a magnifier. It's specifically designed for fiber connectors. It has an internal light source and will magnify the surface of the fiber well enough to see if there are problems at the fiber ends. As far as internally, it's pretty much plug-n-pray, with the flashlight trick letting you know if light is at least getting through, which would rule out a total break. But to be honest, fiber patch cables are pretty darn tough, for the most part. Just don't crimp them in a cabinet door... Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com 9/23/2009 3:32 PM Honestly, I'd never thought of that. Does it actually work? I guess my concern is that it wouldn't identify all possible imperfections within the strand. I'm no fiber expert, but my understanding is that light impulses basically bounce down each strand, and that is why sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order, depending how they strike that bend. I would imagine a constant light source may still be able to travel the strand even if minor fractures existed, where data transmission could be negatively affected. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 1:34 PM, James Kerr cluster...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) - Original Message - *From:* Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com *To:* NT System Admin Issues ntsysadmin@lyris.sunbelt-software.com *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:27 PM *Subject:* Re: Fiber Cable Tester We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
RE: Fiber Cable Tester
It does actually work - it's a cute trick that you can have fun with. It's not remotely scientific though. Thanks, Brian Desmond br...@briandesmond.com c - 312.731.3132 From: Sean Martin [mailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:32 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester Honestly, I'd never thought of that. Does it actually work? I guess my concern is that it wouldn't identify all possible imperfections within the strand. I'm no fiber expert, but my understanding is that light impulses basically bounce down each strand, and that is why sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order, depending how they strike that bend. I would imagine a constant light source may still be able to travel the strand even if minor fractures existed, where data transmission could be negatively affected. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 1:34 PM, James Kerr cluster...@gmail.commailto:cluster...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) - Original Message - From: Sean Martinmailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com To: NT System Admin Issuesmailto:ntsysadmin@lyris.sunbelt-software.com Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:27 PM Subject: Re: Fiber Cable Tester We just completed a Data Center migration and I have a whole box full of cables that were pulled from the old location. These are mostly LC-LC cables from servers to fiber switches. Nothing over 30 meters. I was just looking for a device that would tell me whether or not the cables were still good (no breaks, etc.). I certainly don't need anything along the lines of an OTDR. - Sean On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Ben Scott mailvor...@gmail.commailto:mailvor...@gmail.com wrote: On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.commailto:seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can anyone recommend a quality Fiber Optic cable tester? I don't really know much about it, but I have been told by a couple installers that testing fiber isn't like testing copper. There's no cross-talk or other fancy stuff like the copper testers do. All they do is measure the power loss (in dB). They do that by using a simple meter and a light source. The measure the source to the meter, then they put the run in line, measure that, and take the difference. Of course, the installers could have been full of sh*t. They often are. I do know that an OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is an expensive gadget, but all it does is tell you how long the cable is, or where the break is, if it's broken. That's very useful if you're looking to find a break to put in a repair splice, but it's useless for quality acceptance purposes. -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
Re: Fiber Cable Tester
On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM, Sean Martin seanmarti...@gmail.com wrote: Can't you just shine a light through one end and see if theres light on the other end? ;-) Does it actually work? That will tell you if the cable has been completely snapped, e.g., kinked hard, pinched in a door, etc. It won't tell you the condition of the tip. The tips can get scratched, especially if they're put in a pile without a cable condoms on the end. A scratched tip could still pass visible light but not be good for data. The tools I've seen used for this are a power meter (already described) and a handheld microscope. The scope is basically just a flashlight and a special fitting to hold the fiber. You peak in the end and examine the tip. A clean tip looks like a solid white circle. A scratched or damaged tip has lines or other black/gray marks. ... sharp bends in fiber can cause problems because those light impulses can end up being reflected out of order ... I can't confirm or deny that. The two cautions on bends I've heard are: (1) Fiber is glass. A sharp enough bend will snap the fiber in half. After that it's dead. (2) The more you bend it without breaking, the more of the light energy will be absorbed by the wall instead of propagating down the fiber. Eventually the loss (either in one spot, or cumulatively) goes too high and the receiver can't see the signal. This can at least be fixed by straightening the line. Are my concerns valid? Is there a reasonably priced device to verify the integrity of a fiber cable, or am I just going to have to try the flash light trick and then plug n pray? Google suggests power meters can be had for under $300. I have no idea what a good one costs. :) -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/ ~
