Cabling Mistakes #9: Rely on Duplex Tester for MPO Cable

Certification

-Mark Mullins

30-10-2017 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 1

Cabling Mistakes #9: Rely on Duplex Tester for MPO Cable Certification

While the smart people who install, test and certify network cabling plants know the
importance of meeting standards performance parameters and ensuring application support, even
the best of us can make mistakes that adversely impact the bottom line and customer satisfaction.
Lets take a look at the #9 Dumb Thing that smart people do when testing network cabling
systemsrelying on a duplex tester for certifying MPO trunks.

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Understanding ISO/IEC 14763-3 Cabling Standards

Now the Challenging Norm

With the growth of big data, virtualization and higher bandwidth speeds
in data center fiber backbone links to 40 and even 100 Gbps, most data centers
today are standardizing on multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector solutions. While
required testing of these 12-fiber MPO connectors may have been limited in the
past, it is now the norm in the majority of data center installations. Field testing is
the only way to ensure that MPO links meet the application performance
requirements.
Despite the fact that pre-terminated MPO fiber cables are manufactured
and tested by vendors to comply with ANSI/TIA and international standards, there
are many factors that can potentially impact performance. First of all, MPO
connectors are harder to clean than duplex connectors. The 12-fiber MPO
interface features an array with a much larger surface area, which unfortunately
makes it easier to move contaminants from one fiber to another within the same
array during the cleaning process. 40 and 100 Gbps MPO fiber applications also
have much lower loss budgets so its important to ensure the highest testing
accuracy as possible.
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Understanding ISO/IEC 14763-3 Cabling Standards

The Problem with Duplex Testers

It seems only logical that testing a 12-fiber MPO fiber link with a duplex tester would be time
consuming. In fact, it requires about 15 steps with a 3 jumper method and the use of MPO to LC fan-out
cords that separate the 12-fiber cable into single fiber channels (or LC-MPO cassettes can be used if they
have no more than a total loss of 0.35dB).
To test MPOs with a duplex tester, technicians first need to verify and set the SC-LC and LC-LC
test reference cords. A third LC test reference cord then needs to be verified, set and removed before
even connecting to the first pair of fibers on the MPOsand there are 5 more pairs to be tested on both
ends.
Not only is there a good chance that technicians pressed for time in the field will not follow all
15 steps, but the complex, time-consuming process inherently lends itself to the potential for greater
inconsistenciesand it makes it more difficult to keep all the connectors clean during the process.

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Understanding ISO/IEC 14763-3 Cabling Standards

A Better Way
Testers with an on-board MPO connector take the complexity, time and inconsistency out of
MPO testingeliminating the need for the fan-out cord or cassette. Fluke Networks MultiFiber Pro is the
first tester to offer this functionality with the ability to scan all 12 fibers simultaneously and display test
results in an easy-to-read bar graph. The MultiFiber Pro even has the ability to identify each fiber of the
MPO, providing more precise, per-fiber data and reporting to improve MPO connector verification and
troubleshooting.
MultiFiber Pro even has the ability to test for correct polarity, which ensures a continuous
connection from the transmitter to the receiver and requires patch cords with different polarity types
depending on the chosen polarity method. MultiFiber Pro allows the user to test individual patch cords,
permanent links, and channels for correct polaritywithout needing prior knowledge of the links
polarity.
The next time you think a duplex tester will suffice for your MPO testing, keep in mind that
the innovative features of the MultiFiber Pro will eliminate the complexity and allow you to test 90%
faster. And if you only have one MPO job for now, you can still save all that time by renting one call us
and well set you up
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 Thank You!

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