While some loss is expected, excessive or unexpected loss can lead to poor performance, network downtime, and signal failure. 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. Understanding fiber loss is vital in maintaining a reliable, efficient network. Fiber loss, or attenuation, refers to the reduction in optical power as light travels through a fiber optic cable. Losses can be introduced by various means such as intrinsic material absorption, scattering, bending, connector loss and more. 75 dB, a fusion splice should stay under 0. 3 dB, and fiber cable itself loses between 0.
[PDF Version]