100-meter pigtail loss
To be able to judge whether a fiber optic cable plant is good, one does a insertion loss test with a light source and power meter and compares that to an estimate of what is a reasonable loss for that cable plant. The estimate, called a "loss budget" is calculated using typical component losses for. Fiber loss, or attenuation, refers to the reduction in optical power as light travels through a fiber optic cable. Insertion loss is usually shortened to IL, and the unit of measurement for insertion loss is dBm. An Optical Power Meter and Laser Light Source will be used to measure power loss on each completed ring or distribution span to verify continuity between fibers (no fibers incorrectly spliced.
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