You use a fiber microscope or automated inspection scope to check for contamination, pits, chips, cracks, and scratches. For structured and repeatable assessment, you follow the criteria defined in IEC 61300-3-35 and the geometry requirements from IEC 61755 for PC and APC. It is common to use various types of fiber endface inspection instruments which are specifically developed to analyze cleaved or polished endfaces of optical fibers or fiber connectors. One can verify that a fiber endface is clean, undamaged and overall within quality limits, e. before splicing. Endface Inspection on Fiber Patch Cord or OTDR Fiber Launch Cord To view an endface on a fiber patch cord or an OTDR fiber launch cord, insert the ferrule of the fiber connector to be inspected into the probe tip on the FI-500 probe and press the AF (Auto Focus) button. The primary reason for fiber inspection is to ensure that the connectors are free of any defects, damage, or debris that would prevent sufficient transmission of light when mated. Fiber inspection is a critical step in optical fiber manufacturing, connector assembly, network installation, and maintenance.
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