Prior to cable plant acceptance or system turn-up, standards require that a(n) _______ is used to test the cable plant to ensure it is within the loss budget.
Prior to cable plant acceptance or system turn-up, standards require that an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) or fiber optical power meter is used to test the fiber cable plant. These instruments measure optical signal loss and verify that the installation meets loss budget specifications. The OTDR specifically can identify faults, bends, breaks, and splice losses along the fiber run. Proper fiber testing ensures the system will perform as designed before being put into production.