OTDR LAUNCH CABLES

OTDR Launch Cables

OTDR Launch Cables are designed to be used in conjunction with an OTDR to measure complete link loss of a fiber. They are also known as pulse suppressor cables, launch cords, launch leads, receive cables or fiber rings. An OTDR launch cable, which connects the OTDR to the link-under-test, discloses the insertion loss and reflectance of the near-end connection. A receive cable, which is connected to the far-end of the link, exposes the insertion loss and reflectance of the far-end connection. A fiber ring serves as both a launch cable and a receive cable. Specialized Products Company stocks AFL Fiber Rings and FiberXP OTDR Launch Cables. It is recommended that the OTDR launch cable be longer than the dead zone. The shorter 150 meter lengths are ideal for premises fiber network test applications. We also carry single mode OTDR launch cables of 500 meters and 1000 meters for broadband, long-haul fiber network test applications. Launch cables are offered in a variety of connector styles including SC, ST, LC, FC and MTRJ.

AFL Fiber Rings

AFL Fiber Rings

  • Compact launch/receive cables designed to measure the insertion loss of the near-end and/or far-end connection of a fiber optic link when using an OTDR.
  • Available in 150m (492') length 50 µm or 62.5 µm (Multimode) and 150m (492'), 500m (1,640') and 1000m (3,281') 9 µm (Singlemode) cable options.
  • AFL Fiber Optic OTDR Launch Cables are compatible with all OTDR brands and are fully TAA compliant.
AFL Fiber Rings Selector
FIBERXP OTDR Launch Cables Selector

FIBERXP OTDR Launch Cables

  • Lightweight, fiber launch cables designed to measure insertion loss and/or far-end connection of a fiber optic link used to connect the link under test to an OTDR.
  • Unique and compact design available in 150m (492') length 50 µm or 62.5 µm (Multimode) and 150m (492') and 1000m (3,281') 9 µm (Singlemode) options.
  • FiberXP fiber optic launch cables are available in a variety of connector options and utilize genuine Corning fiber cable.
FIBERXP OTDR Launch Cable Selector
Fluke Networks SmartLoop OTDR Launch Cables

Fluke Networks SmartLoop OTDR Launch Cables

  • Launch/receive cables for automated bi-directional fiber optic testing and pass-fail analysis of two fibers in a single test using the SmartLoop OTDR.
  • Available in 160m (525') length 50 µm or 62.5 µm multimode and 9 µm single mode fiber optic cable options.
  • Fluke Networks testing launch cables are accessories for the Fluke OptiFiber® Pro OTDR Models OFP-100.
Fluke Networks SmartLoop OTDR Launch Cables Selector

How to Generate a Baseline Trace Using Fiber Rings

  • Use the fiber ring as a launch cable. Connect the fiber ring between an OTDR and the fiber link under test. In this configuration, the loss of the near-end connection can be measured.
  • Use the fiber ring as a receive cable. Connect the fiber ring to the far-end connector of your fiber link under test. In this configuration, the loss of the far-end connection can be measured.
  • By using fiber rings as both launch and receive cables, as shown in the diagram at the right, total insertion loss of the fiber link under test can be measured.
Illustration How to Generate a Baseline Trace Using Fiber Rings

For best results, clean before using

OTDR LAUNCH CABLES