Fibre Optic Visual Fault Locator

[thefibreguy]

Hi All,

After much searching, with no luck, I thought to give you guys a go.

I am looking to build a 30-50 mW 635nm Red Laser Fibre Optic VFL. For those who do not know what a VFL is, its used to find breaks, or can identify individual fibres within a cable, by connecting the unit to a terminated fibre connector.

The ones on the market at the moment are generally only 1 way, ranging 1-30 mW & have a range in fibre, of approx 25km, in Singlemode fibre (9/125). They are also only battery powered, & the battery life aint great, if you get nearer the 30 mW end!!

The

I want to build one with a 30-50km range in fibre. With the high power, I am hoping it will be easier to identify the fibres, in daylight.

I am looking to build a 4 way unit, so I can look down up to 4 fibres, which is mains, & battery powered.

If anyone has built, or knows what I am trying to do, please help.

Thanks up-front.

 

[lasersbee]

The existing 25km units on the market sell for
how much???
Do you have a link to one of those VLF units...:thinking:

Jerry

 

[thefibreguy]

The existing 25km units on the market sell for
how much???
Do you have a link to one of those VLF units...:thinking:

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

This is a typical one:

RY-V3105 Pentype Visual Fault Locator - Product - Shenzhen Ruiyan Technology Co., Ltd.

They sell for approx $100 plus shipping.

Cost is not really an issue, I want to build something to do the job I want it to do!!

Thanks.

 

[Krogith]

Could you make one that 532 nm? That would help the Issue with seeing it in the day light.

 

[Cyparagon]

Find faults when and where? 50km is a long way to walk looking for a tiny light. Even if it were on a reel, the many wraps would block the light and you're unlikely to see anything. And that is IF the fault has broken the outer jacket. If you're just testing continuity, pointing a low-medium power green in one end should be plenty.

Tell us more about what you're actually testing for.