Steren BL-526-108 User manual

BL-526-108 Optical Power Meter
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Optical Power Meter
BL-526-108
User Manual
V2.0

BL-526-108 Optical Power Meter
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Contents
1. Summary......................................................... 1
2. Functions ........................................................ 2
3. Specifications.................................................. 3
4. Layout............................................................. 4
5. Operation........................................................ 5
6. Maintenance ..................................................11
7. Troubleshooting ............................................ 13
8. Appendix A.................................................... 14
9. Appendix B.................................................... 16
10. Appendix C.................................................. 18
11. Management Software ................................ 20
12. Appendix D..…………………………………...36

BL-526-108 Optical Power Meter
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1. Summary
The Steren BL-526-108 Optical Power Meter is a
high-performance optical network test meter and comes
equipped with the latest laser exploration and processing
technology to perform fast field-testing. This tester is an
integrated optical power meter aimed at optical network
operation and maintenance, as well as equipment research
and development.
The Optical Power Meter can be used to test optical
power within the wavelength range of 800~1700nm, using
measurement units nW, μW, mW, dB, and dBm. The
BL-526-108 meter’s display resolution and test accuracy
levels are impressive, with six kinds of wavelength
calibration points: 850nm, 1300nm, 1310nm, 1490nm,
1550nm, and 1625nm. It can be used for both linearity and
non-linearity tests, and it displays both direct and relative
tests of optical power.
The meter is equipped with a sizeable LCD screen and
is small, lightweight, and easy to carry. It was designed to
test LAN, WAN, metropolitan networks, CATV net, and
long-distance fiber net. The meter can be used to accurately
test fiber loss, check fiber continuity, and help evaluate the
transmission quality of a fiber chain.

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2. Functions
2.1 Multi-wavelength precise measurement
2.2 Absolute power measurement of dBm or xW
2.3 Relative power measurement of dB
2.4 Auto-Off function
2.5 270, 330, 1K, 2KHz frequency light identification and
indication
2.6 Low voltage indication
2.7 Automatic wavelength identification (with the help of light
source)
2.8 1000 groups of data storage
2.9 USB port upload
2.10 Real-time clock
2.11 650nm VFL output
2.12 Applicable to versatile adapters (FC, ST, SC, LC)
2.13 Handheld, large LCD backlight display, easy-to-use

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3. Specifications
3.1 Wavelength range (nm): 800~1700
3.2 Detector type: InGaAs
3.3 Measurement range (dBm): -50~+26, -70～+10
3.4 Uncertainty: ±5%
3.5 Resolution: Linearity display: 0.1%
Logarithm display 0.01 dBm
3.6 Auto-Off duration (min): 10
3.7 Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery
3.8 Battery-hold duration (h): no less than 75 (2000mAh)
3.9 Operating temperature (°C): -10~+50
3.10 Storage temperature (°C): -30~+60
3.11 Weight (g): 430 (without batteries)
3.12 Dimensions (L*W*H, mm): 200×90×43

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4. Layout
Fig. 01
key
Frequency light identification
Logarithm Power
Power key
λkey
dBm
key
Signal Wavelength
Linearity Power
Battery Indicator
Auto-OFF
REF key
VFL
OPM

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5. Operation
1. Turn On / Turn Off
•Press and hold the button for 3 seconds to turn
on the Optical Power Meter. The Home display will
appear as shown below. (Fig. 02)
Fig. 02
•Auto Power Off mode is enabled when the meter is
first turned on. The default idle setting for the
Auto-Off function is 10 minutes.
•The display will indicate in the lower-left corner if the
Auto-Off function is enabled (Fig. 02)
•To disable Auto-Off, hold the button for 3
seconds. To re-enable Auto-Off, hold the button
again for 3 seconds and check the display.
•Press the button to turn off the meter.
Auto-OFF

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2. dBm Button
•Press the dBm button to show absolute optical
power measurement value.
•While press the REF button to set the reference
value, press the dBm button shortly to clear the
reference value.
3. λButton: Wavelength selection
•There are six wavelengths to choose from: 1310 nm
(default setting), 850nm, 1300nm, 1490nm,1550nm,
and 1625nm.
•Select a wavelength by pressing the λbutton until
the desired wavelength is displayed on the LCD
screen.
4. REF Button: Reference Value
•Press the REF button to set the reference value to
0.00 dB.
•To clear the reference value, hold down the REF key
and press the dBm key.
•See AppendixA, B & C to reference test cables.
5. Backlight Button
•Press the button to turn the back light on and off.

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6. 270, 330, 1K, 2KHz Frequency Light Identification
•Press and hold the λbutton for 3 seconds to activate
auto mode.
•When the entering light is 270, 330, 1K & 2KHz
modulated light, the meter identifies the frequency
automatically and shows it on the LCD. This function
co-operates with the laser source. Note: Be sure to
use the laser source device with modulation
frequency 270, 330, 1K, 2KHz outputs function.
(Fig. 03)
Fig. 03

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7. Automatic wavelength identification
•Works with the laser light source to automatically
identify wavelength from the source.
8. VFL Function
•Press ▲button shortly to output continuous light
source; press ▲button again to output pulse light
source; press ▲button again to turn off the light
source.
9. Clock Setting
•From the home display, press and hold the ▲
button to enter the clock setting mode.
•Use the λbutton and the REF button to select the
digit to be edited; the selected digit will blink.
•Use the ◄and ►arrow buttons to edit the value of
the selected digit.
•Press the button to save and exit.
Fig. 04
Date format: DD/MM/YYYY
Time format: HH:MM

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•Time Setting mode will exit automatically if left idle
for 10 seconds.
10. Save Record
•Short press the ◄button to enter into the record
storage interface. The record number for storing will
be displayed on the screen. (Fig. 05)
•Press the ◄button to store the record and return to
the test state.
•Press the button shortly to exit the record
storage without saving.
Fig. 05

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11. Browse Record
•Press ►shortly to enter into the record browse
interface; browse records using the ◄and ►
buttons.
•Press λshortly to delete the current record.
•Press shortly to exit.
Fig. 06

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6. Maintenance
•It is important to keep the sensor surface clean. Do
not use dirty or non-standard adapters; do not insert
a poorly polished connector into the port, otherwise
it will damage the sensor end.
•Clean the sensor end regularly.
•Carefully replace adapters for different links. The
spare adapters should be stored hermetically with
caps to avoid dust contamination.
•Cover the dustproof cover to keep the interface
clean when the optical power meter is not being
used.
•Do not put the sensor in the air or a test error will
occur due to the presence of dust.
•If the meter is not being used for an extended period,
remove the battery in order to conserve battery life.

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Safety
Take appropriate eye-safe precautions when
handling live fiber.
Avoid condensation
•This instrument is resistant to normal dust and
moisture; however, it is not waterproof.
•If moisture gets into the instrument, remove the
battery and dry out the meter for at least one hour
before using again.

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7. Troubleshooting
Issue
Reason
Solution
LCD display is
dark
Low voltage
Charge or
replace battery.
Test result =
error
Sensor’s surface is
dirty.
Low voltage.
Clean sensor.
Charge or
replace battery.
No display when
meter is turned
on
The battery is under
voltage/other
reasons.
Charge or
replace battery.

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8. Appendix A
Testing Loss of Installed Fiber Optic Cable Plant
1) Test Diagram
Fig. 07
2) Test Procedure
•Clean all connectors and mating adapters.
•Turn on equipment and allow time to warm-up.
•Attach launch cable to source. This should remain
connected to source for the duration of the test.
•Set “0 dB”reference by pressing “REF”key. Meter
may be set to read “0 dB”.
•Attach source/ref cable and meter/ref cable to the
cable plant under test and make loss measurement.

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Fig. 08
Fig. 09

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Fig. 10
9. Appendix B
Testing Loss of Fiber Optic Cables, Single-Ended
1) Test Diagram
Fig. 11

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2) Test Procedure
•Clean all connectors and mating adapters.
•Turn on equipment and allow time to warm-up.
•Attach launch cable to source. This should remain
connected to source for the duration of the test.
•Set “0 dB”reference by pressing “REF”key. Meter
may be set to read “0 dB”.
•Attach source/ref cable and meter/ref cable to the
cable plant under test and make loss measurement.
•Reverse cable and test again.
Fig. 12

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10. Appendix C
Measuring Optical Power in Fiber Optic Systems
1) Test Diagram
Fig. 13
2) Test Procedure
•Clean all connectors and mating adapters.
•Turn on equipment and allow time to warm-up
•Set meter to wavelength of source and “dBm”to
measure calibrated optical power meter.
•Attach reference cable to source if testing source
power or disconnect cable from receiver.
•Attach power meter to end of cable and read
measured power.
Note:
A reference cable or good quality patch cord is used for
testing the source power coupled into a fiber. To test