OWL ZOOM 2 Series User manual

Quick Reference Guide
ZOOM 2 Series
Firmware Version 2.56
Optical Wavelength Laboratories (OWL)
N9623 West US Hwy 12
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: [phone]
Internet: OWL-INC.COM
Revision 1.5
July 19, 2011
Optical Wavelength Laboratories
OWL
ZOOM 2 Series Test Kits
Optical Loss Testing
Quick Reference Guide
For part numbers:
KIT-Z2-D2xx
KIT-Z2-D285xx
KIT-Z2-D2xx-L2xx
KIT-Z2-D285xx-L213xx

NOTICE TO NEW USERS
All personnel testing optical fibers should be adequately trained in the field of fiber optics before using any fiber
optic test equipment.
If the user is not completely familiar with testing fiber optics, they should seek professional training. Such
training can be acquired from a variety of sources, such as local hands-on training classes.
Valuable information about fiber optic testing can also be gathered from reading printed literature carefully or by
thoroughly reading supplied operations manuals.
Fiber optic testers vary from other types of test equipment due to issues such as:
1) standards-based testing
2) proper fiber optic test procedures (FOTPs)
3) "zeroing" or referencing of power levels
4) determining the correct link budget to pass or fail by
Complete understanding of each of these issues is critical for performing proper fiber optic tests.
GETTING STARTED
Thank you for your purchase of this OWL optical loss test kit. Included in this kit is a ZOOM 2 optical power
meter and a Dual OWLseries multimode fiber optic light source.
BEFORE YOU TEST
Prior to performing a certification test, there are a few things you need to know about your link:
?Fiber Type
?Fiber Length
?Number of Connections (i.e. patch panels)
?Number of Splices
?Fiber Cabling Standard
?Connector Type
It is also important to understand the definition of a fiber optic link as it pertains to the ZOOM 2:
A link is a group of fibers that have the same characteristics, and follow the same pathway from one end to the
other.
Also, ensure that your patch cable connectors match the patch panel ports on the link under test.

50/125 µm 62.5/125 µm
Diameter
Wraps
0.9 in. 0.7 in.
5 5
Figure 2
Core Size
(1) Straight patch cable
Mandrel-wrapped reference cables
850nm
1300nm
1
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Optical Power Meter: ZOOM 2
Fiber Optic Light Source: DUAL OWL Series PAGE 1 OF 5
This quick reference guide demonstrates the procedure for performing a dual-wavelength insertion loss test at both 850nm and
1300nm.
to test at only one wavelength, ignore the steps related to the other wavelength
There are three main parts to performing an insertion loss test:
PART 1 verify proper operation of the test equipment and patch cables;
PART 2 set a reference for the wavelength(s) used during fiber link measurement; and
PART 3 take measurements.
EQUIPMENT PORTS
Figure 2 shows the ports used during this procedure. These ports may vary depending upon the model of equipment.
REQUIRED ACCESSORIES
ensure test cables have the proper core size and connector type
multimode reference cables must be wrapped and
secured around a mandrel as required by national and
international Fiber Optic Test Procedures (Figure 2)
a mandrel-wrapped reference cable is required for each light source wavelength being used for testing
Detector
ZOOM 2 power meter
FIGURE 2
Test Equipment Ports 850 nm
1300 nm
Dual OWL series multimode
light source
SC connectors shown here;
connector style may vary
LIGHT SOURCE
CONNECTOR PORTS
Do NOT insert APC connector
into either light source port

PART 1 – VERIFY EQUIPMENT OPERATION
Connect the power meter and light source together with the straight patch cable (Figure 3).
Press to power on the Dual OWLmultimode light source. The left-hand indicator LED (850nm) will be lit.
Press to power on the ZOOM 2 optical power meter.
Press on the ZOOM 2 so that the wavelength is set to ‘850nm’.
If necessary, press so that the ZOOM 2 is set to ‘dBm’.
Compare the reading on the ZOOM 2 to Table 1 for acceptable power levels. The patch cable should be replaced if it is
below the acceptable power level.
Once proper operation has been verified, remove the straight patch cable from both units and set it aside.
(continue procedure on next page)
UNITS
ZERO
FIGURE 3
Straight Patch
Cable Connection
2
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Optical Power Meter: ZOOM 2
Fiber Optic Light Source: DUAL OWL Series PAGE 2 OF 5
SC connectors shown here;
connector style may vary
LIGHT SOURCE
CONNECTOR PORTS
Do NOT insert APC connector
into either light source port
62.5/125 µM
50/125 µM
Replace at
-21.00 dBm
-24.00 dBm
-19.0 to -21.0 dBm
-22.0 to -24.0 dBm
TABLE 1
Core Size Acceptable Power Level

3
PART 1 – VERIFY EQUIPMENT OPERATION; cont.
Connect a mandrel-wrapped patch cable between the detector port on the ZOOM 2 and the left-hand port (850nm) on the
Dual OWL(Figure 4).
Compare the reading on the ZOOM 2 to Table 1 for acceptable power levels. The mandrel-wrapped patch cable should be
replaced if it is below the acceptable power level. Once proper operation has been verified, remove the mandrel-wrapped
cable from the power meter and light source, then continue to the next step.
Connect a second mandrel-wrapped patch cable between the detector port on the ZOOM 2 and the left-hand port (850nm)
on the Dual OWL(Figure 4).
Compare the reading on the ZOOM 2 to Table 2 for acceptable power levels. The patch cable should be replaced if it is
below the acceptable power level. Once proper operation has been verified, leave the mandrel-wrapped patch cable
connected to the power meter and light source, then continue on to the next step.
PART 2 – SET REFERENCE
Setting a reference is commonly referred to as “zeroing”.
Ensure the power meter and light source are still connected together (Figure 4), then press and
hold on the ZOOM 2 to set the reference for 850nm.
The ZOOM 2 display should change to show readings in ‘dB’, and the power reading should be
approximately 0.00 dB. This means that the meter and light source have been successfully
“zeroed” at 850nm.
UNITS
ZERO
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Optical Power Meter: ZOOM 2
Fiber Optic Light Source: DUAL OWL Series PAGE 3 OF 5
FIGURE 4
Mandrel-wrapped
cable connection
dBm
. . .20.00
-
850
nm
SC connectors shown here;
connector style may vary
LIGHT SOURCE
CONNECTOR PORTS
Do NOT insert APC connector
into either light source port
dBm
.2. .0.00
-
850
nm

4
PART 2 – SET REFERENCE, cont.
If testing at 1300nm is also required, a separate mandrel-wrapped patch cable is required.
Leaving the 850nm mandrel-wrapped patch cable connected to the Dual OWL, connect a separate mandrel-wrapped
patch cable to the 1300nm port on the Dual OWLand the detector port on the ZOOM 2 (Figure 5).
Press so that the ZOOM 2 is set to 1300nm.
Press so that the Dual OWLis set to 1300nm. The right-hand indicator LED will be lit.
Press and hold on the ZOOM 2 to set the reference for 1300nm. The ZOOM 2 display
should show a power reading of approximately 0.00 dB. This means that the meter and light
source have been successfully “zeroed” at 1300nm.
PART 3 – TAKE READINGS
Disconnect the mandrel-wrapped patch cable from the detector port on the ZOOM 2, then bring both units to the opposite
ends of the link under test.
Remember to bring the straight patch cable with the ZOOM 2.
Connect the ZOOM 2 and the 850nm port on the Dual OWLto the link under test (Figure 6).
UNITS
ZERO
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Optical Power Meter: ZOOM 2
Fiber Optic Light Source: DUAL OWL Series PAGE 4 OF 5
FIGURE 5
Mandrel-wrapped
cable connection
(1300nm)
dBm
. . .20.00
-
1300
nm
Leave mandrel-wrapped
cable attached to 850nm port
SC connectors shown here;
connector style may vary
LIGHT SOURCE
CONNECTOR PORTS
Do NOT insert APC connector
into either light source port
dBm
.2. .0.00
-
1300
nm

5
PART 3 – TAKE READINGS, cont.
Press so that the ZOOM 2 is set to ‘850nm’.
Press so that the Dual OWLis set to ‘850nm’. The left-hand indicator LED will be lit.
Record the 850nm reading for the current fiber under test then disconnect the patch cables from both ends of the patch
panel and move to the next port on the patch panel.
Repeat and for each fiber in the cable under test until all fibers have been tested at 850nm.
For testing 1300nm, again connect to the first fiber under test, except this time use the mandrel-wrapped patch cable
connected to the 1300nm port.
Press so that the ZOOM 2 is set to ‘1300nm’, and press so that the Dual OWL is set to ‘1300nm’. The right-
hand indicator LED will be lit.
Record the 1300nm reading for the current fiber under test.
Disconnect the patch cables from both ends of the patch panel and move to the next port on the patch panel.
Repeat and for each fiber in the cable under test until all fibers have been tested at 1300nm.
(end of procedure)
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Optical Power Meter: ZOOM 2
Fiber Optic Light Source: DUAL OWL Series PAGE 5 OF 5
12345678910 11 12 12345678910 11 12
FIGURE 6
Taking
Readings
dBm
.2. .2.00
-
850
nm
SC connectors shown here;
connector style may vary
LIGHT SOURCE
CONNECTOR PORTS
Do NOT insert APC connector
into either light source port