To quickly calculate the total loss of fiber optic cable within a minute's time, simply multiply the distance of the fiber by the cable's loss per kilometer, then add the amount lost due to various connector and splicing connections, and also include the overall safety buffer (3. To quickly calculate the total loss of fiber optic cable within a minute's time, simply multiply the distance of the fiber by the cable's loss per kilometer, then add the amount lost due to various connector and splicing connections, and also include the overall safety buffer (3. This document describes how to calculate the maximum attenuation for an optical fiber. You can apply this methodology to all types of optical fibers in order to estimate the maximum distance that optical systems use. There are no specific requirements for this document. This document is not. Using this simple mathematical formula allows you to determine your link budget early in the project so you can determine the appropriate safe operating range and save yourself from unnecessary expenditures on rewiring, splices, or excess reels of fiber optic cable. Add connectors, splices, bends, and safety margin easily. All calculations use base-10 logarithms. Same thing happens with light signals in fiber cables. Why calculate the attenuation of a fiber optic link? Each component of a fiber optic link (cable, connectors, splices.