Testing a splitter or other passive fiber optic devices like switches is little different from testing a patchcord or cable plant using the two industry standard tests, OFSTP-14 for double-ended loss (connectors on both ends) or FOTP-171 for single-ended testing. Optical splitters in the outside plant (OSP) are used mostly in passive optical networks (PONs) for fiber-to-the-user (FTTx) networks, and are often overlooked as failure points. In this article I focus on a few basics of optical splitters, their applications, typical causes of failures, and how to. The CertiFiber® Pro Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) can be used to check that the loss of a PON Splitter (often referred to in various standards as a non-wavelength-selective or wavelength-selective branching device) to check that it is within the allowed defined limits. The most common splitter is a 1x32, b t you may encounter splitters as high as 1x128.
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