Tier 2 testing adds the characterization of these events to the certification test. A Tier 1 test cannot ensure that cable attenuation is uniform. This testing method cannot ensure individual event losses (from splices and connections) are within specification. Tier 1 testing (setup illustrated below) provides a pass/fail result based on loss, length, and polarity.

Tier 2 testing is carried out using an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), as opposed to Tier 1, for which a power meter and light source, or optical-loss test set, is required. Tier 2 (or extended) tests are optional additions to Tier 1 tests. Tier 1 (or basic) incorporates loss, length, and polarity. Gastle explained that both TIA and ISO/IEC standards specify two tiers of certification for installed fiber systems. An adopted standard is reproduced without modification.

In brief, an adapted standard is reproduced from the original with some modifications. 2.0īoth of the 526 standards are descendants of IEC 61280 standards, but one is an adaption and the other is an adoption. ANSI/TIA-526-7-A-This standard defines test procedures for installed singlemode fiber cabling plants, and was released in 2015.2.0 and includes the encircled flux launch condition for 850-nm/50-micron fiber testing. ANSI/TIA-526-14-C-2015-This document, released in 2015, includes test procedures for installed multimode fiber cable plants.Annex E, which is informative, provides guidelines for field testing. ANSI/TIA-568.3-D Optical Fiber Cabling and Component Standard-The “D” revision includes transmission performance and test requirements in Clause 7.In a presentation titled “Fitting the Pieces Together: Test and Certification” on July 26, VIAVI Solutions’ product line manager Ed Gastle explained that several Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standards relate to fiber testing.

Two presentations recently made during online seminars hosted by Cabling Installation & Maintenance illustrate these scenarios. So even if it doesn’t necessarily take artistic flair to turn over a usable set of test results, it does take insight beyond what you’ll find in standards today. However, those inclined to say testing is an art will point out that published industry standards do not prescribe every procedure for every installation. Is the practice of testing an installed high-performance cabling system an art or a science? There’s a strong case to be made that it’s a science technicians must carry out test procedures exactly as prescribed, using properly calibrated machinery, to ensure accurate and useful results.

Tier 1 loopback cable