Fibre Cable Length Tester

[ITGURU]

Just wondering if anyone could advise on what the most simplest fibre tester would be to just let me know the distance of a fibre optic cable is.

Not needing anything fancy just a basic test and return cable measurement for already installed fibre so know if the links can support 10gb on the om3 fibre. The majority should, just got a few which seem quite long runs.

I could just try a 10GB module on each end but just want to ensure not on limits and go on connects or not, but would be ideal to know lengths.

thanks

[DalekSec]

Switches normally have the ability to tell you the distance, switch dependant obviously.

 

If not you'd need a fairly expensive tester

[PotNoodleTech]

I belive the low-medium end ideal networks testers have an SFP port so you can plug in fibre SFP and test that.

 

Not overly cheap I think mine was £600-800 odd? But much much cheaper than a proper fluke tester.

[ITGURU]

Switches normally have the ability to tell you the distance, switch dependant obviously.

 

If not you'd need a fairly expensive tester

 

Mine show the max distance for the module/wavelength connected, not current distance.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

I belive the low-medium end ideal networks testers have an SFP port so you can plug in fibre SFP and test that.

 

Not overly cheap I think mine was £600-800 odd? But much much cheaper than a proper fluke tester.

 

Do you have a link to a model? Happy to buy one for our trust which will come in useful for all the schools, just not the fluke prices for something wont use very often

thanks.

[PotNoodleTech]

Mine show the max distance for the module/wavelength connected, not current distance.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

 

 

Do you have a link to a model? Happy to buy one for our trust which will come in useful for all the schools, just not the fluke prices for something wont use very often

thanks.

 

Mines a NaviTEK NT but I've had it many years so not sure if its a current model. It's got a CAT6e Port and a empty SFP port.

 

I use it with a Ubiquiti 10G fibre SFPs which can be picked up for peanuts - I assume it works with other SFP such as cisco etc but maybe check before you buy?

Edited December 15, 2023 by PotNoodleTech

[ITGURU]

Mines a NaviTEK NT but I've had it many years so not sure if its a current model. It's got a CAT6e Port and a empty SFP port.

 

I use it with a Ubiquiti 10G fibre SFPs which can be picked up for peanuts - I assume it works with other SFP such as cisco etc but maybe check before you buy?

 

Guessing this is the latest model?

NaviTEK NT Pro Touchscreen Copper & Fibre Network Troubleshooter - Trend Networks | CPC (farnell.com)

 

thanks.

[PotNoodleTech]

Looks exactly the same yeh - ouch I paid 850 don't you just love rip off Britain!!!

[ITGURU]

Looks exactly the same yeh - ouch I paid 850 don't you just love rip off Britain!!!

 

You can confirm this will report/read out the connect fibre lengths as couldnt see this in the manual, only for copper port.

[PotNoodleTech]

Aint needed to test any fiber for quite some time TBH as we had all new fiber done by the LA.

 

I do have a run to an external container building that's not being used today I'll try it for you!

[Chris_Cook]

Its low tech, but have you checked the side of the fibre cable on the back of the cab? It often has distance markers in meters written every meter. You may be able to subtract the smaller number from the larger to get the length.

 

OTDR and TDR length testers are almost always going to have a large margin of error.

 

You might also be able to hire a fluke tester if you only need it for a little bit.

[PotNoodleTech]

You can confirm this will report/read out the connect fibre lengths as couldnt see this in the manual, only for copper port.

 

Hey dude I've run into a problem - all my fibre and SFPs are 10gig now and thinking about it this network tester is years and years old - I am assuming it only supports 1 gig to be honest so may not be any use for testing my building links from now on. Cant get any activity using the 10 gig SFPs i have, cisco, HP/aruba or unifi.

 

(Can still test 1 gig ethernet desktop runs though so still useful to me) but maybe not worth buying one unless you can get them to confirm it works with 10 gig fibre etc.

 

Sorry!

Edited January 24, 2024 by PotNoodleTech