Every link tested. Every result on record.
OTDR and loss testing, connector inspection and commissioning, with a report for every link at handover.
In short
What does fiber testing and commissioning include?
Testing and commissioning proves a fiber network performs as designed before it is handed over. City Networks inspects and cleans every connector, measures end-to-end loss with a light source and power meter, traces each fiber with an OTDR, and checks the results against the design loss budget. You receive a test report for every link.
How it works
Four steps, each one checked before the next.
- 01
Inspect
Every connector is checked with a fiber microscope and cleaned before testing. Dirty end-faces are the most common cause of avoidable loss and reflection.
- 02
Measure
Light source and power meter tests give the true end-to-end loss of each link, the figure most acceptance criteria are written against.
- 03
Trace
OTDR traces show where loss happens along the fiber, locating each splice, connector and bend by distance.
- 04
Commission
Results are checked against the loss budget, failures are fixed and re-tested, and the network is handed over with the full report.
Scope
What’s included.
Take the full scope or only the parts you need. Every item can be priced separately.
- Connector end-face inspection and cleaning
- Insertion loss tests with a light source and power meter
- OTDR traces, typically bidirectional at 1310 and 1550 nm
- Results compared against the design loss budget
- A test report for each link, in the format the client requires
- Fault location, repair and re-test where results fail
What is the difference between OTDR testing and insertion loss testing?
An insertion loss test sends light through the link and measures how much arrives at the far end, giving one accurate figure for total loss. An OTDR sends pulses from one end and analyses the light reflected back, producing a trace that shows the position and loss of each splice, connector and fault. Most acceptance specifications ask for both.
Why is OTDR testing done from both ends?
Measured from one direction, a splice between two slightly different fibers can show an exaggerated loss or even an apparent gain. Averaging the readings taken from both ends gives the true splice loss.
Which wavelengths are used to test single-mode fiber?
Usually 1310 nm and 1550 nm. Fiber is more sensitive to bending at 1550 nm, so comparing the two results helps reveal tight bends. Some operators also ask for 1625 nm.
Can you test a network someone else installed?
Yes. We test existing and third-party networks, either for acceptance or to locate faults, and report the results independently.
Request a free consultation
Need one link, or the whole chain?
Tell us about the route, the site or the system. Our engineers will come back with a clear scope and an honest price.