Pro OFT-3 User manual

Revision A
02/2014
OFT-3
Optical Time Domain Reectometer
User's Guide
Copyright 2014
Information contained in this manual is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is
assumed by Precision Rate Optics Inc. for its use nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third
parties that may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent rights of
Precision Rate Optics Inc.
The information contained in the publications is subject to change without notice.

I
1. Using This Manual.….....…………................................……....................................................……………………1
2. Safety...................…...................................................…….………..............................…………………...…………2
3. OFT-3 Quick Start Guide......................................................................................................…….……..………4
4. Introduction ………….........……...............................................................................................…….……...……..6
5. OTDR Inspection and Identication....................................................................................………………...……7
5.1 Inspection
5.2 Identication and Conguration
6. OFT-3 Depscription…….………............................................................................................…….......……….8
6.1 OTDR Physical Description/Packaging
Front Panel
Top Plate
6.2 Home Screen Display
6.3 Power Requirements
7. OTDR Operations............................................…….............................................................................................11
7.1 Key Pad
7.2 Entering OTDR Function
7.3 Icon Denitions
7.4 Main OTDR screen
7.5 OTDR Parameter Settings Screen
Trace Parameters
Event Table/Fib0R-Map Sensitivity Settings
Pass/Fail Thresholds Settings
Date/Time Settings
Exit Parameter Settings Screen
7.6 Auto Test
Set IOR
Set Wavelength
Start Auto Test
7.7 Manual Expert Mode
Set IOR
Set Wavelength
Set Range
Set Pulse Width
Set Averaging Time
Scan
7.8 Trace Analysis
Unit of Measure
Zoom
Cursor Movement
Chapter PAGE

PAGE
II
(Continued)
Chapter Table of Contents
7.9 Loss Measurements
2 Point Loss
dB/km
Optical Return Loss
Basic Splice Loss
Least Square Approximation (LSA)
7.10 Loss Measurement Settings
Setting Basic Splice Loss Measurement Areas
Splice Loss Adjustment Areas
Splice Loss Adjustment Positions
LSA Examples
7.11 Event Analysis
Enter Event Analysis
Threshold Settings
Sensitivity Settings
Event Analysis Screen
Fib-R-Map
Event Table
Table Denitions
8. Project Management............................................................................................................................................27
8.1 Project Management Description
Project Management Screen
Project Management File Menu
Project Management File Drop Down Menu
Project Management Edit Drop Down Menu
Project Management View/Help Drop Down Menu
8.2 Project Management Operation
Create a New Project
Open an Existing Project
Delete a Project
Upload a folder to Certication
Rename a Project
View/Modify Properties
Temporary Modication of Parameters
Exit Project Management

PAGE
9. File Management.................................................................................................................................................30
9.1 File Management Description
File Management Screen
File Management File Menu
File Management File Drop Down Menu
File Management Edit Drop Down Menu
File Management View/Help Drop Down Menu
9.2 File Management Operation
Saving a Trace
Open/View a Trace
Delete a File
Upload a Trace to Certication
Rename a Trace File
Exit File Management
10. Video Scope........................…..................................................................….................................…...................33
10.1 Video Scope
10.2 Video Scope Display
10.3 Video Scope Icon Menu
Home
Pass/Fail Grading Overlay
Pass/Fail Label
Brightness
Save Image
Load Image
Cal
Help
10.4 Viewing a Connector
10.5 Using Grading rings
Fiber End Face Criteria Table for Angled PC Polished Connectors
Fiber End Face Criteria Table for Ultra PC Polished Connectors
Fiber End Face Criteria Table for PC Polished Connectors
10.6 Pausing Image Scan
10.7 Marking Pass/Fail
10.8 Video Scope Save and Recall
10.9 Exiting Video Scope
11. OTDR Specications.........................…...................................................…..................................…..................37
.
12. Repair/Warranty.......................................................................…............…..................................…...................38
13. Version Control........................….........................................................................................................................39
Table of Contents
Chapter
III
(Continued)

OFT-3
User's Guide
Precision Rate Optics Inc.

1OFT-3 User's Guide Rev A 2/7/14
This manual contains operation information for the Precision Rate Optics Inc. OFT-3 Optical Time Domain
Reectometer. This OTDR may be operated by using the touch scree or the onboard key pad. The touch
screen is a resistive style screen and only proper stylus devices should be used when operating the OTDR
using the touch screen capability.
This guide is written to instruct operation via the onboard keypad. There will be tips throughout the manual to
assist with touch screen operation.
Warning
A warning alerts to situations that could cause personal injury.
Caution
A caution alerts to situations that may cause damage to the equipment or produce poor testing conditions result-
ing in inaccurate test results.
Note
A special annotation that will assist the user with operational features.
Chapter 1 Using This Manual
There are warnings, cautions and notes posted throughout this manual.
Optical time domain reectometers are optical instruments that do emit laser radiation and though this level
of radiation is not considered a danger, there are safety considerations and certain practices that should be
followed.
Please read and follow all warning and caution information noted in this manual.
Precautions
Touch Screen Tip
These tips will be found throughout the manual to assist with touch screen operation.

OFT-3 User's Guide Rev A 2/7/14
2
This product has been designed and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety standards, and has
been supplied in a safe condition.
This document contains information that must be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to maintain
the product in a safe condition. Failure to follow these safety warnings and cautions can result in harm to the
user or damage to the instrument.
Warning
Personnel should always be aware when working with fiber optic test equipment that active fibers may be pres-
ent, therefore infrared optical energy may be present.
Warning
Never look directly into the end of a connected fiber optic cable or fiber optic interface of optical test equipment,
to do so could expose the user to laser radiation and could result in personal injury.
Warning
To Prevent Fire or Shock Hazard:
Chapter 3 of this manual is a quick start guide. Prior to using the quick start guide or operat-
ing the equipment in any way, it is highly suggested the user reads all safety information.
Chapter 2 Safety
¾Do not install battery types other than those specied by the manufacturer
¾Do not use the charger without the batteries installed
¾Do not expose the battery charger to rain or excessive moisture
¾Do not use the AC adapter when there are signs of damage to the enclosure or cord
¾Ensure the correct charger is being used for the local line voltage
¾Do not use any other charger than the one provided with this instrument.
The information in this chapter pertains to safety consideration of OTDRs in general.

3OFT-3 User's Guide Rev A 2/7/14
Failure to follow these cautions statements may void the warranty of, or cause damage
to this equipment.
Caution
Fiber-optic connectors are easily contaminated or damaged. The connection to the OTDR is physical contact
type of connections and dirty or damaged connectors may impair the instruments capabilities at minimum and at
worst result in the need to return the OTDR to the factory for expensive repairs. Prior to making any connection
to the unit, ensure that all proper cleaning procedures have been followed. Use UPC Finish Connectors Only --
DO NOT insert APC connectors into the optical ports.
Caution
The OTDR is equipped with a protection circuit to avoid damage from live fiber connections The instrument will
not operate properly with active fibers. Even with this protection, high power output from EDFA’s or other equip-
ment can damage detectors and should never be connected to the OTDR.
If a live fiber is connected to the OTDR and a scan is attempted, a warning dialog will be displayed as in fig. 2.1.
Immediately remove the live fiber from the OTDR and press select to continue testing.
Chapter 2 Safety
Fig 2.1

OFT-3 User's Guide Rev A 2/7/14
4
Chapter 3 Quick Start Guide
3.1 OFT-3 OTDR Quick Start Guide
Press to turn on the OTDR.
Use the directional buttons to highlight the OTDR icon and press to enter the OTDR function.
Connect the ber to the appropriate port. (SM or MM OTDR Optical Port)
Press to enter the Menu mode. The menu is displayed at the top of the screen. (To hide the
menu, press the menu button a second time.)
Use the right button to highlight the (wavelength) icon and use to cycle to the desired wave-
length.
If approximate ber length is unknown:
Press to have the OTDR start a test using the selected wavelength with the OTDR determining
the most appropriate range and pulse width. (Autotest will set the averaging time to 60sec.)
If approximate ber length is known:
Set the Wavelength as above and further set the range, pulse width and averaging time.
Press to open the icon menu, use the left or right arrow to highlight the (range) and use
to cycle through the available ranges of 250m, 1km, 4km, 16km, 64km, 128km or 256km.
Use the left or right buttons to highlight the (pulse width) icon and use to cycle through the
available pulse widths of 5ns, 10ns, 30ns, 100ns, 300ns, 1us, 3us, 10us or 20us. (Not all pulse
widths will be available, only pulse widths appropriate for the selected range will be presented)
Press the left or right button to highlight the (average) icon and use to cycle to the averaging
times of Real-Time, 15 seconds, 60 seconds, 2, 4 8 or 20 minutes.
Press to exit the menu mode and hide the menu bar.
Press (Scan) to start a trace. Pressing the again will stop a trace.

5OFT-3 User's Guide Rev A 2/7/14
To operate the cursors, use the left and right buttons.
To view the Fib-R-Mat and event table, press , use the left and right buttons to highlight the
(schematic view) icon and press .
To save a trace, touch the icon and use the left or right buttons to highlight the (le storage)
icon and press . Press , press and with save highlight press . Use the touchscreen
keyboard to enter the le name and touch save.
Chapter 3 Quick Start Guide