Jonard Tools Power Meter Calibration Steps

Power Meter Calibration Steps

1. Select the proper connector interface type that the application requires.
2. Do not connect APC to Non-APC connectors at any point, as damage can occur to the interface of the unit, the connector of the optical cord or both.
3. Turn the unit on and let it warm up for 15 minutes to stabilize to prevent any wavelength/reference drifting.
4. Select dB if you want to measure loss or select dBm if you want to measure the output power of a transmitting device.
5. Clean and inspect all Connectors, repeat if needed before plugging the selected test cord into the unit's interface.
6. When measuring output power of a transmitting source, verify the unit is in the "dBm” mode and plug in the opposite end of the test cord into the input of the transmitting device that you want to measure, and review your results on the power meter's screen.
7. When measuring system/link or insertion loss is being measured, verify the unit is in the dB mode.
8. When using this power meter in combination with a light source to perform optical loss testing, you will need to calibrate the units. Based on the application, you will need 1-3 test cords. Connect between 1-3 cords to the units. If using 2 or more cords, you will need an adapter/coupler or bulkhead to connect the 2 test cords together in the middle. The power meter should be in the dB mode, press the dB key 1 time. If the power meter is still in the dBm mode, press the dB key 2 times.
9. You have now synchronized/calibrated the units together to ensure test results are accurate, which they will not be without performing the calibration process.

Example: Two Reference Cord Test Method: An optical light source (model FLS-50) is connected via a test jumper cable and connector to an adapter. This adapter then connects to a second test jumper cable and connector, which leads to an optical power meter (model FPM-50A). The power meter displays a check power level of P_check = -5.5 dBm.

Reference Cord Testing Methods

1 Cable Method: An optical light source (model FLS-50) is connected via a single cable and connector to an optical power meter (model FPM-50A). Sample readings displayed are 1310nm, -10.34dBm, 92.46.

2 Cables Method: An optical light source (model FLS-50) is connected via a cable and connector to an adapter. This adapter then connects to a second cable and connector, which leads to an optical power meter (model FPM-50A). Sample readings displayed are 1310nm, -10.34dBm.

3 Cables Method: An optical light source (model FLS-50) is connected via a cable and connector to an adapter. This adapter connects to a second cable and connector, which then connects to another adapter. This second adapter connects to a third cable and connector, leading to an optical power meter (model FPM-50A). Sample readings displayed are 1310nm, -10.34dBm.

*Note for multimode testing, the use of a mandrel wrap ring is recommended for the test cable plugged into the optical light source.