User Documentation
2053260000/05/2015136
Installation
3.9  Measurement on the bre-optic cable
This chapter describes how to assess your bre-optic cabling. The measurement 
recommendations are based on the PROFINET commissioning guideline.
3.9.1  Attenuation measurement for bre-optic cables
The most important parameter to monitor on a bre-optic cable section is its 
attenuation. The insertion loss process (Figure 3.5) is the easiest way to do 
this. The measurement process detects losses in the optical bres and their 
connections. Light is transmitted by a transmitter via reference bre 2 into one 
end of the bre-optic cabling. A calibrated receiver is connected to the other end 
of the bre-optic cabling being tested via another reference bre 1. The receiver 
measures the amount of light received and evaluates any losses incurred. The 
attenuation or insertion loss is usually stated in dB. The reference bre 2 at the 
transmitter end is wound in several coils on a winding spindle with a dened 
diameter. The “mode mixer” produced in this way correctly distributes light into 
the reference bre and prevents the measurement result from being affected by 
the radiation characteristics of the transmitter.
Figure 3.5: Principle of the attenuation measurement










