Visual Fiber Fault Locator Simulation Using the OWL FO4V Optical Fiber Power Meter

OWL Certified NIST Traceable Calibration

Fiber OWL 4 VFL FO4V & FO4CV Optical Fiber Power Meters Visual Fault Locator

Visual Fault Locators (VFL) play an important part when working on a fiber optic network, especially installation, testing, and troubleshooting.  The bright red laser in a VFL allows for quick and easy near-end visual fault location and visual fiber identification . As an option, a precision-coupled Visual Fault Locator (VFL) can be installed into Fiber OWL 4 optical power meters.  By integrating a VFL into the power meter, troubleshooting for near-end faults can be done on the spot during testing. OWL precision-coupled VFLs offer two distinct technological advantages over traditional laser pen-style visual fault locators.

First, a multi-million dollar micro-alignment machine is used to place a tiny ball lens between the laser diode and the output port, allowing for optimum precision-coupling of optical power into both multimode and singlemode fibers.  

Second, red lasers are susceptible to burnout, which is typically caused by power surging from the battery when the unit is powered on, especially from new batteries.  Over time, these battery surges can weaken the laser, significantly limiting the laser's effectiveness.  OWL optical power meters contain special circuitry that protects the red laser diode from battery power surges, ensuring a stable and consistent source of red light as well as maximizing the life-span of the laser.

NOTE: the optional light source port on the Fiber OWL 4 can be either a VFL or a length tester, but not both.  If length measurement and VFL are both required, OWL has other VFL options available.

The Fiber OWL 4VFL is a high accuracy, high resolution,
microprocessor controlled optical power meter. It has a 75dB
dynamic range making it ideal for both singlemode and multimode
fiber testing, Its integrated visual fault locator port allows for quick and easy visual fault location or visual fiber identification.

It is much more user-friendly than previous versions of the Fiber
OWL, including an optional upgrade to include fiber link length
testing. When used with OWL WaveSource light sources, its autowavelength recognition feature detects the wavelength being
received from the light source and automatically switches to that
wavelength, allowing simultaneous dual-wavelength optical
referencing and data storage. This feature increases productivity by
decreasing testing time and human error.
It has an attractive handheld case made from high impact plastic
surrounded by a protective rubber boot, a large, backlit, graphic,
liquid crystal display, and 18-key keypad for easy data entry. The
fixed universal connector port accepts 2.5mm ferrule connectors,
including ST, SC, and FC. It will operate for over 100 hours on a
standard 9-volt battery and has built-in auto shutdown.
The Fiber OWL 4 VFL includes a built-in loss wizard that helps you
easily calculate the allowable loss for the fiber runs that you will be
measuring. The meter stores physical fiber information for up to eight
links. Link information includes: link name, date, fiber type, fiber
length, connectors, splices, temperature, and calculated or serdefined
reference power values. In addition, the meter will store up to 1000 measured data points with labels. Each value includes the fiber
type and link.
The stored information can be selectively viewed, edited (measured
again), printed, or deleted. The meter will print formatted reports of
selected stored data directly using the built-in USB port, or all of the
stored data can be downloaded to a computer spreadsheet or our
free OWL Reporter software to produce formatted certification
reports.
Supported Cabling Standards:
EIA/TIA 568 ISO/IEC 11801 1000Base-SX / LX
100Base-FX 10Base-FB / FL FDDI
ATM-155 / 622 Fibre Channel Token Ring
Also supports 2 user-defined standards

Supported Cabling Standards:
EIA/TIA 568-B, ISO/IEC 11801, 10-Gigabit Ethernet,
1000Base-SX, 1000Base-LX, 100Base-FX, 10Base-FB, 10Base-FL FDDI, ATM-155, ATM-622, Fibre Channel, Token Ring

Integrated optical length tester port is typically ST.  For connecting the ST port to different connector types, simply use an adapter patch cable (for example, ST or SC). (Patch Cords not included)

The Fiber OWL  4 Bolt FO4B & FO4BC are InGaAs photodetector designs with universal 2.5mm adapter port (for ST, SC, FC, and others) and a 1.25mm adapter port (for LC, MU, and other SFF connectors). Its
integrated light source for optical fiber power measurement of fiber optic links at 1310nm is fitted for ST connectors only. The Fiber Owl 4 Bolt is both Multimode (MM) and Singlemode (SM) ready.

OWL FO4V & OWL FO4CV VFL Key Specifications
Power Meter
FO4V ~Dynamic Range: +5 to -70 dBm
FO4CV -Dynamic Range: +25 to -50 dBm
Absolute accuracy : ±0.15dB (over lower 40 dBm range)
NIST traceable calibrated wavelengths: 850nm, 980nm, 1300nm, 1310nm, 1490nm, 1550nm,1625nm

Resolution: 0.01dB
Precision: ±0.10dB
Dimensions: 6.48 x 3.48 x 1.1 in
Visual Fault Locator
Visual Range: up to 5KM/3.1 miles
Optical Output: ≥1mW
Output Modes: CW/Pulsed
Dimensions: 4.94 x 2.75 x 1.28 in.
Weight: 6oz.

Supported Cabling Standards:
EIA/TIA 568 | ISO/IEC 11801 | 1000Base-SX / LX 100 | Base-FX
10Base-FB / FL | FDDI ATM-155 / 622 | Fiber Channel
Token Ring | Also supports 2 user-defined standards

OWL Certified NIST Traceable Calibration

Please note: Patch Cords are not included in purchase of Kits. Purchase includes: Fiber OWL 4 Bolt Power Meter | Specified Light Source | OWL Reporter Software | Manual | Down Load Cable | Batteries | NISTCert | Carrying Case | Carrying Straps | Protective Rubber boots

Link to Pricing and Ordering Information

OWL FO4V & OWL FO4CV VFL Visual Fault Locator Optical Fiber Power Meters