A series of video microscopes for optical connectors EXFO FIP-400

 

SHORT DESCRIPTION

optical microscope EXFO FIP-400 helps to find and eliminate the cause of the failure of the optical network. According to statistics, about half of all failures in optical data transmission networks are due to the degradation of the quality of optical connectors (contamination, manufacturing defects, scratches).

The EXFO FIP-400 optical microscope is specially designed to work with modern networks. Due to its small size and elongated shape, it is easy to connect to patch panels with densely installed connectors of any type, including LC. To view the image, you can use EXFO portable instruments or a special display (EXFO FIP-400-D model). To connect the FIP400 microscope directly to a computer, a USB adapter (model EXFO FIP-400-USB2) is required.

Main characteristics:
Magnification: 200 and 400 (model FIP-400-P-DUAL) or only 400 (model FIP-400-P-SINGLE).
Safe for the eyes. It is possible to save the image on a computer.
With the help of interchangeable nozzles, it can be connected to patch cords and patch panels of the following types: FC, SC, LC, ST, SMA, E2000, D4, Lemo, MTP, MTRJ, MU, MT, etc.
Direct and angular polishing of the ends of the connectors is supported. It can be connected to a special display (FIP-400-D), to a computer via USB, or to EXFO devices:
FTB-1, AXS-100/110, FTB-200, FTB-500, FOT-930.
Out of production. Recommended replacement: EXFO FIP-400B.

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Scratches and dirt on optical connectors (both patch cords and patch panels) lead to increased losses and reflections from the optical connection and are often the reason why the optical fiber data transmission system does not work. In addition, a contaminated optical connector becomes unstable over time and the level of spurious attenuation on the connection may increase over time. Also, if the connector is dirty, the attenuation introduced by it can vary significantly depending on the humidity and temperature of the surrounding air.

In other words: Dirty and scratched optical connectors often cause a temporary or complete loss of data transmission over the fiber.

The EXFO FIP-400 microscope will help you solve the following tasks:
- If you work as an integrator and build optical networks, then using the FIP-400 you can check the quality of the pigtails and patch cords that will be used. In addition, before handing over the object to the customer, you will be able to document the quality of all installed optical connectors in order to avoid claims in the future.
- If you are an operator or Internet service provider and hire contractors to build segments of your network, then the FIP-400 microscope will help you perform the input quality control of the work that the contractor has performed for you. In addition, you can use this microscope to maintain an already operating network and search for defects that have arisen during operation.
- If you work in an organization that sells or manufactures pigtails and patch cords, then using the EXFO FIP-400 optical microscope will help you perform input and output quality control of products and reduce time and cost when interacting with your customers.

A typical situation is that the loss in one of the fibers in a fiber optic cable exceeds the established norm. In this case, you need to take optical reflectometer and test this fiber. If the defective area is located directly in the fiber, then this is either a break, or poor welding or macrobend. But what if the reflectometer showed that the distance to the defective area exactly coincides with the connector in the patch panel? In this case, two main reasons are possible: a dirty or scratched pigtail connector in the patch panel, or poor welding of this pigtail to the fiber in the optical cable.

 

EXFO FIP-400 Fiber Optic Video Microscope Usage Examples

If you have an optical microscope EXFO FIP-400, then you will immediately be able to establish the cause and type of connector malfunction and you will not need to disassemble the patch panel and digest the pigtail every time. Moreover, it is not always possible to disassemble a patch panel or ODF, especially at a running facility.

 

Extensive connectivity of the EXFO FIP-400 fiber optic video microscope

To view and save images as a graphic file, the EXFO FIP-400 video microscope must be connected to a display device. If you have or plan to purchase EXFO portable devices: FTB-1, FTB-200, FTB-500, then simply by connecting the FIP-400 microscope to one of them, you can immediately see the image of the connector and save it to the instrument's memory with the possibility of transferring it to a computer. If you have one of the simpler EXFO devices: AXS-100, AXS-110, AXS-200 or FOT-930, then a software option (SK3 or FPS) is required to connect to them, while you can see the picture of the connector, but you cannot save it to the device’s memory. If you just want to check the quality of connectors, but do not need to save their images, you can connect the FIP-400 microscope to the FIP-400-D portable display. To connect the FIP-400 microscope directly to a personal computer, you need a special FIP-400-USB2 adapter; with this connection option, the image of the connector is as large and detailed as possible and it is possible to save it to the computer's memory as a file.

 

Specifications of EXFO FIP-400 Optical Fiber Video Microscope

 

EXFO FIP-400 fiber optic video microscope delivery set

- video microscope for optical fiber FIP-400-P-SINGLE or FIP-400-P-DUAL (depending on the order)
- universal nozzle FIPT-400-FC-SC for patch panels 2.5 mm (FC and SC)
- universal nozzle FIPT-400-U25M for 2.5 mm patch cords (FC, SC, ST, etc.)
- plastic container for storing bits
- CD with software and documentation
- warranty: 1 year (warranty can be extended up to 3 years)

 

Options and accessories for EXFO FIP-400 video microscope

- portable display FIP-400-D
- USB adapter FIP-400-USB2 for connecting the FIP-400 microscope to a computer
- ConnectorMax software for automatic analysis of connectors (option FPSA-PC)
- nozzle FIPT-400-LC for patch panels 1.25 mm (LC)
- nozzle FIPT-400-U12M for patch cords 1.25 mm (LC)
- a list of the main attachments for the EXFO FIP-400 microscope is presented below, for a complete list (more than 40 pcs.), see documentation