How to Test a Fiber Optic Cable


An optical fiber is a flexible and very thin fiber that can transmit light from one end to the other. Most optical fibers are made of silica glass, but some are made of plastics such as polymethyl metacrylate. When it needs long transmissions, fiber optic may be a good choice. In communication systems, fibers are bundled into cables for long distance transmissions.


Multi-mode fiber optic networks can work at high speed which ranges from 10 MB to 10 GB. Single-mode fiber optic network can get high speed up to 100 GB.
Technically, the speed of a fiber optic network is not limited by the cabling itself but the optical equipment on either end. The higher end equipment will give higher speeds at long distances. A fiber optic network can be upgraded to greater speed just by changing the optical equipment.

Check the fiber-optic cable by following it along its length. Look for bends in the cable, which obstruct the cable's optical fibers. You should straighten bends which are not in need.


Identify any splits, rips or tears in the cable. You should change the damaged cables with new ones.

Fiber optic cables are high-speed cables that are generally used for computer networking. In some cases, these cables become defective and lose their ability to properly transfer a signal. However, you can test the signal strength of these cables with a fiber-optic cable tester. With this device, testing a cable is an easy process.

Connect one end of your fiber-optic cable to the port on your cable tester. Connect the other end of your cable to the other port on your tester.
You should press the "Power" button in order to start your cable tester. The tester will immediately test the cable and present the relevant information to you on its digital display. If the power level is greater than 5 or less than -77, the cable is considered defective and a number will not show on the display. click to see more information.