EXFO FPM-300 User manual

UserGuide
FPM-300/FLS-300
PowerMeter/LightSource

FPM-300/FLS-300
Contents
1 Introducing the FPM-300/FLS-300 .............................................. 1
Main Features ................................................................................................... 1
Power Sources .................................................................................................. 3
Typical Applications .......................................................................................... 3
Conventions ...................................................................................................... 3
2 Safety Information ................................................................... 4
Electrical Safety Information ............................................................................. 4
Laser Safety Information (FLS-300) .................................... ............................. 4
3 Getting Started ......................................................................... 6
Turning the Unit On and Off ............................................................................. 6
Activating Automatic Shutdown (Auto-Off) ...................................................... 7
Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI) ..................................................... 7
Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers ........................................................... 8
4 Measuring Power or Loss (FPM-300) ...................................... 9
Nulling Electrical Offsets ................................................................................... 9
Defining a List of Favorite Wavelengths ......................................................... 10
Referencing Your Power Meter to a Source ..................................................... 11
Measuring Power or Loss ................................................................................ 13
Automatically Detecting Wavelength .............................................................. 15
5 Using a Light Source (FLS-300 ) ..............................................16
Activating/Deactivating a Light Source ........................................................... 16
Modulating the Source Signal ........................................................................ 16
Sending Source Power Value with Signal ........................................................ 17
6 Maintenance ............................................................................ 19
Cleaning EUI Connectors ................................................................................ 20
Cleaning Fixed Connectors .............................................................................. 22
Cleaning Detector Ports .................................................................................. 24
Replacing Batteries ......................................................................................... 24
Recalibrating the Unit ..................................................................................... 25
Recycling and Disposal (Applies to European Union Only) .............................. 25
7 Troubleshooting ...................................................................... 26
Solving Common Problems ............................................................................. 26
Error Codes and Descriptions .......................................................................... 26
A Technical Specifications .......................................................... 27

Introducing the FPM-300/FLS-300 1
1 Introducing the
FPM-300/FLS-300
This user guide covers the following products (unless otherwise specified,
descriptions apply to all):
FPM-300 Power Meter
FLS-300Light Source
Main Features
FPM FLS
Ge
or GeX detector with 10 calibrated wavelengths X
Absolute
power and link loss measurements X
Editable
list of favorite power meter wavelengths X
Editable
list of favorite source wavelengths
Automatic
wavelength detection X
No
offset nulling of detectors required in normal operation X
Multiple
source configurations on a single port X
Transmission
of editable power value with source’s signal for
automatic
reference with compatible power meter
X
Transmission
of wavelength to compatible power meter in
automatic wavelength
or auto-switching mode
X
Modulated
signal emission or detection (270 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz)
compatible
with other EXFO units
X X
Automatic shutdown
after 10 minutes of idle time (auto-off) X X

FPM-300/FLS-300 2
LCD display
DC connector
Keypad
Stand
Shoulder
strap eyelet
Power meter
detector port Light source ports
FLS-300FPM-300
Safety label and
serial number
(under the stand)
Battery compartment
(3 alkaline batteries)
Quick reference
label

Introducing the FPM-300/FLS-300 3
Power Sources
The units operate with the following power sources:
AC adapter (connected to standard power outlet—indoor use only)
Compatible car outlet adapter available upon request.
AA alkaline batteries (automatically take over if you unplug the AC adapter)
Conventions
Before using the product described in this guide, you should understand the
following conventions:
IMPORTANT
If the battery level becomes too low, the unit turns itself off.
Typical Applications
Transmitter power measurements (dBm and W)
Fiber-link loss testing (dB)
Component insertion-loss testing (dB)
Fiber identification with 270-Hz, 1-kHz and 2-kHz signals
Fiber installation and maintenance applications
FTTx: testing of passive optical networks (PONs)
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in component damage. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.
IMPORTANT
Refers to information about this product you should not overlook.

FPM-300/FLS-300 4
2 Safety Information
Electrical Safety Information
IMPORTANT
When you see the following symbol on your unit , makesure
that you refer to the instructions provided in your user
documentation. Ensure that you understand and meet the required
conditions before using your product.
WARNING
Usethe AC adapter provided with this product
indoor s only.
WARNING
Do not use the unit outdoors in wet locations.
Laser Safety Information
(FLS-300)
WARNING
Useof controls, adjustments and procedures for operation and
maintenance other than those specified herein may result in
hazardousradiation exposure.
WARNING
Do not install or terminate fibers while a laser source is active. Never
look directly into a live fiber and ensure that your eyes are protected
at all times.
Your instrument is a Class 1 laser product in compliance with standards IEC 60825-1
and 21 CFR 1040.10. Laser radiation may be encountered at the output port.
The following label indicates that a product contains a Class 1 source:
6 -16 VDC
150 mA

Safety Information 5
Equipment Ratings
Temperature
Operation
Storage
-10 °C to 50 °C (14 °F to 122 °F)
-40 °C to 70 °C (-40 °F to 158 °F)
Relative
humidity 0 %to 95 %non-condensing
Maximum
operation
altitude
2000 m (6562ft)
Pollution
degree 2 (unit used inside; connected to AC mains or
powered
by batteries)a
3 (unit used outside; powered by batteries)b
Overvoltage
category II
Powersupply
rating 100 V to 240 V (50 Hz/60 Hz)
Maximum input current 0.12 A
a. Use the external power supply indoors only.
b. Equipment should be normally protected against exposure to direct sunlight, precipitations and
full wind pressure.

FPM-300/FLS-300 6
3 Getting Started
Turning the Unit On and Off
When you turn off the FPM-300, it saves the current wavelength, unit and reference
power.
a few
IMPORTANT
Ifyou remove batteries (and the AC adapter is unplugged), the unit
will turn off without saving the above values.
Ifbatteries are low (and the AC adapter is unplugged), the unit will
save the above values and turn off.
Note: Offset nulling values are always returned to factory settings.
To turn on the unit:
Press . The unit displays EXFO Inc. for a few seconds. You may use it
immediately under normal conditions.
Toturn off theunit:
AC adapter
plugged in
Auto-off activated
Batteries in use
(with level)
Measured power/loss (FPM)
Active source wavelength (FLS)
Power meter wavelength or
reference power (FPM)
Left port’s source
modulation
(FLS)Right port’s source modulation (FLS)
Detected modulation (FPM)
From normal operating mode (that is, not FAVor PREF), hold down
seconds.
Display
Turns unit on/off
Controls auto-off
Exits special modes
PRESS: Selects
wavelength
from FAV list
HOLD: Accesses
FAV mode Switches between
measurement units
PRESS: Displays dB units
HOLD: Sets input power as
reference power
PRESS: Switches between
modulation values
HOLD: Accesses P_REF mode
FLS-300
FPM-300
Keypad
PRESS: Activates next source
HOLD: Deactivates current source

GettingStarted 7
Activating Automatic Shutdown (Auto-Off)
When auto-off is activated, the unit will turn off after
10 minutes of idle time.
Auto-off is activated by default when you turn on the
unit.
Todeactivate/reactivateauto-off:
When unit is on, press .
Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI)
The EUI fixed baseplate is available for connectors with angled (APC) or non-angled
(UPC) polishing. A green border around the baseplate indicates that it is for
APC-type connectors.
Toinstall an EUIconnector adapter onto the EUI baseplate:
1. Hold the EUI connector adapter so the dust cap opens downwards.
Bare metal
(or blue border)
indicates UPC option
Green border
indicates APC
option
2 3 4
2. Close the dust cap in order to hold the connector adapter more firmly.
3. Insert the connector adapter into the baseplate.
4. While pushing firmly,turn the connector adapter clockwise on the baseplate to
lock it in place.

FPM-300/FLS-300 8
Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers
Toconnect the fiber-optic cable to theport:
1. Inspect the fiber using a fiber inspection microscope. If the fiber is clean,
proceed to connecting it to the port. Ifthe fiber is dirty, clean it as explained
below.
2. Clean the fiber ends as follows:
2a. Gently wipe the fiber end with a lint-free swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
2b. Use compressed air to dry completely.
2c. Visually inspect the fiber end to ensure its cleanliness.
3. Carefully align the connector and port to prevent the fiber end from touching the
outside of the port or rubbing against other surfaces.
If your connector features a key, ensure that it is fully fitted into the port’s
corresponding notch.
4. Push the connector in so that the fiber-optic cable is firmly in place, thus
ensuring adequate contact.
If your connector features a screwsleeve, tighten the connector enough to firmly
maintain the fiber in place. Do not overtighten, as this will damage the fiber and
the port.
Note: If your fiber-optic cable is not properly aligned and/or connected, you
will notice heavy loss and reflection.
IMPORTANT
Toensure maximum power and to avoid erroneous readings:
Always clean fiber ends as explained below before inserting
them into the port. EXFO is not responsible for damage or
errors caused by bad fiber cleaning or handling.
Ensure that your patchcord has appropriate connectors. Joining
mismatched connectors will damage the ferrules.

Measuring Power or Loss (FPM-300)9
4 Measuring Power or Loss
(FPM-300)
Nulling Electrical Offsets
Temperature and humidity variations affect the performance of electronic circuits
and optical detectors. Nulling the electrical offsets eliminates these effects. Your unit
has been designed not to require offset nulling under normal operation, but you
should perform it whenever environmental conditions change significantly or when
measuring very low power values.
Hold down
The unit displays NULL while nulling the offsets, then
returns to normal mode.
Note: Keypad is disabled during the operation.
IMPORTANT
Iflight reaches the detector when nulling offsets, LIGH appears on
the display and the nulling is not performed. You will need to press a
key to return to the previous display.
Note: Factory-defined values will be reinstated when you turn off the unit.
Toperform an offsetnulling:
dBm/W
dB and (power meter) a few seconds.

FPM-300/FLS-300 10
Defining a List of Favorite Wavelengths
You must put the wavelengths you want to use on a list of favorite wavelengths (the
FAVlist). Only wavelengths on this list are available for measurements.
At the factory (or after recalibration), the list contains 10 calibrated wavelengths.
Note: The list must always contain at least one wavelength.
Toadd wavelengths to the FAV list (or to remove them):
1.
2.
to include/exclude the displayed wavelength.
3. Press
4. Repeat steps 2 to 3 for other wavelengths as necessary.
5. Press to return to normal mode. If your list is empty, the unit beeps and you
cannot exit the FAV list.
Hold down (power meter) a few seconds. The unit
enters the FAVlist and displays the current
wavelength.
Press (power meter) to switch between available
wavelengths. An asterisk (*) appears beside
wavelengths already on the list.
dBm/W
dB

Measuring Power or Loss (FPM-300)11
Referencing Your Power Meter to a Source
In reference mode, your unit displays the loss created by the fiber under test only,
since a reference value is subtracted from the measured power.
Note: You must set a reference value separately for each wavelength.
Compatible sources (such as FLS-300) can transmit a power value to your power
meter, avoiding the need for manual referencing.
Note: When using this feature, you cannot change the power meter’s
wavelength, units or reference power manually. The power meter
behavior is totally determined by the source.
IMPORTANT
Thevalue sent is not the source’s actual power. It is a user-defined
value that may not take the optical link’s loss into account.
To receive the reference power value from a compatible source:
1. Connect a compatible source to yourpower meter
(as shown below, with or without a fiber under
test).
2. Use the source to emit the signal that contains its
power value (see To change the signal modulation:
on page 16).
If reference value or units change, the power
meter beeps and displays REF while detecting the special signal.
The new reference power is displayed in the top right corner (in dBm) and
current loss reading is automatically switched to dB.

FPM-300/FLS-300 12
Toreference the power meter to a sourcemanually:
1. Using the proper adapter, connect a light source (such as FLS-300) to the
detector port of your power meter.
Note:
Note: Once all desired wavelengths have been referenced, do not disconnect
the Reference Test Jumper from the source port.
Light
source Power meter
Reference
test jumper
Reference Adapter
test jumper
Bulkhead
connector
2. Activate the source at the desired wavelength.
3. Match the source and power meter wavelengths:
If the source emits an auto-wavelength signal
(see Automatically Detecting Wavelength on
page 15), the power meter automatically
matches the source wavelength.
4. Hold down REF for a few seconds. The power
meter stores the currently detected power as the
new reference power.
Reference power is displayed in the top right
corner (in dBm) and current loss reading is
automatically switched to dB.
5. Repeat the procedure for each wavelength you
want to reference.
When using dB units, press (power meter) to display the current
wavelength for a few seconds. To change this wavelength, press 
again while it isdisplayed.

Measuring Power or Loss (FPM-300)13
Measuring Power or Loss
Measuring absolute power or link loss is done the same way, except for the
referencing step.
Toperform power or lossmeasurements:
1. If necessary, perform an offset nulling (see Nulling Electrical Offsets on page 9).
2. Check and clean your fibers appropriately for optimum performance
(see Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers on page 8).
3. Forloss measurements, reference your power meter to a light source
(see Referencing Your Power Meter to a Source on page 11), then deactivate the
light source.
4. Using the proper adapter and test jumpers, connect a fiber under test to a light
source (such as FLS-300) and to the detector port of your unit.
Note: If you have referenced your power meter to a source, simply connect a
fiber under test to the test jumpers used for referencing.
5. Activate the source at the desired wavelength.
Fiber under test
Test
jumper Test jumper
Light
source Power meter
Adapter
Bulkhead
connector Bulkhead connector

FPM-300/FLS-300 14
When the unit detects a modulated signal, it beeps and displays the modulation
value and average measured power or loss (see left illustration above). You may
notice a slightly unstable last digit.
When power or loss is outside power limits
(see Technical Specifications on page 32)
Actual power or loss
of fiber under test
6. Match the source and power meter wavelengths:
If the source emits an auto-wavelength signal
(see Automatically Detecting Wavelength on
page 15), the power meter automatically
matches the source wavelength.
If the source emits an auto-wavelength signal or
is in auto-switching mode (see Automatically Detecting Wavelength on page
15 and see To receive the auto-wavelength signal or detect the source's auto-
switching mode: on page 15), the power meter automatically matches the
source wavelength.OR
Press (power meter) to switch between pre-selected wavelengths (see
Defining a List of Favorite Wavelengths on page 10).
7. If you want to see a loss value and your power meter displays W or dBm units,
press REF to access reference mode.
Modulation detected
8. If necessary, change the displayed units by pressing dBm/W .
9. Repeat the procedure for other wavelengths.
dB

Measuring Power or Loss (FPM-300)15
Automatically Detecting Wavelength
Compatible sources (such as FLS-300) can transmit their wavelength value through
the fiber, avoiding the need to manually match the source and power meter
wavelengths.
Note: When you receive an auto-wavelength signal or when the source is in
auto-switching mode, you cannot manually change the power meter
wavelength. The power meter behavior is totally determined by the
source.
Toreceive the auto-wavelength signal or detect the source's
auto-switching mode:
1. Connect a compatible source to yourpower meter.
2. Activate the source in Auto mode (FLS-300: see
Modulating the Source Signal on page 16) or in
auto-switching mode.
Your power meter automatically matches the source
wavelength. If the wavelengths differ, it also beeps
and returns you to normal operating mode.

FPM-300/FLS-300 16
5 Using a Light Source
(FLS-300)
The FLS-300 may contain up to two sources (one-port models)
Activating/Deactivating a Light Source
Only one source may be active at a time. When no source is active, the unit displays
NONE (FLS-300).
Note: Auto is a modulated signal detected by compatible units (see
Automatically Detecting Wavelength on page 15). Itprovides longer
battery life than CW, but covers a reduced power range.
Moving bars indicate
active source port
FLS-300
Toactivate a light source and change the wavelength:
Press (source) to activate each available source in turn. The unit displays the
wavelength and modulation.
Todeactivate the light source:
Press (source) until you get past the last source.
OR
Hold down (source) a few seconds.
Modulating the Source Signal
When you activate the first source, the signal is always CW (unmodulated). When
you switch sources, the modulation remains the same. Modulation is indicated in
the top left (port #1) or top right (port #2) corner.
Available modulation values are: CW, Auto, 270 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz.
Tochange the signal modulation:
1. Activate the source.
2. Press CW to switch between available modulations.

Using a Light Source (FLS-300)17
Sending Source Power Value with Signal
Your source can transmit a user-defined power value to compatible power meters
(such as FPM-300) through the fiber. If the reference source is far from the power
meter, you can connect your source to the power meter to send the reference value.
With this feature you can also correct for power variations.
Note: For details about how compatible power meters receive this power
value, see Referencing Your Power Meter to a Source on page 11.
IMPORTANT
The value sent is not (and will not affect) the source’s actual power.
It is a user-defined value that may not take the optical link’s loss into
account.
If the source emits an auto-wavelength signal (see Automatically Detecting
Wavelength on page 15), the power meter automatically matches the
source wavelength.

FPM-300/FLS-300 18
Tosend the source power value:
when you turn the unit off).
4.
Press to return to normal mode without sending a power value.
1. Activate the source.
2. Hold down CW a few seconds. The unit switches to
PREF mode and displays the wavelength and
transmittable power. The left/right modulation
indicator identifies the current source port.
3. If necessary, edit the value to send.
3a. Press CW . The first digit of the power value blinks.
3b. Revert to the factory-default power value by holding down CW and
(source) a few seconds.
OR
Select a digit to change by pressing (source) until it blinks, then increase
its value by pressing CW (it returns to 0 after 9). After the last digit, all digits
blink. You may add/remove the “–” sign by pressing CW .
OR
3c. Press to save the modified value (the value remains in memory even
Press (source) to send the power value with an auto-wavelength signal.
OR