Fiber optic cable fault locating apparatus

Systems and methods for testing fiber optic cables are provided. A fiber optic cable testing apparatus, according to one implementation, includes a dedicated testing waveguide arranged within a first photonic device deployed in a data center having a plurality of photonic devices. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus further includes an external port arranged on the first photonic device, where the external port is connected to the dedicated testing waveguide and is configured to be connected to a fiber optic cable to be tested. While the fiber optic cable is connected to the external port during a testing stage, the dedicated testing waveguide is configured to transmit visible light to the fiber optic cable via the external port. The visible light includes one or more wavelengths that are visible to the human eye. Also, faults associated with the fiber optic cable, if any, are visually detectable by a user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to networking systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to fault location devices integrated within photonic network elements for allowing a user to visually locate faults in fiber optic cables and associated cable connectors.

BACKGROUND

A data center generally includes a plurality of photonic devices, which may be installed on a number of racks or shelves. Numerous fiber optic cables are used for connecting the photonic devices together and for connecting the photonic devices to external fiber spools extending from the data center. During installation and/or troubleshooting of the photonic devices and fiber optic cables, a technician can perform fault testing to ensure that the fiber optic cables are free of faults and are properly connected. Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) is one technique for testing cables and connections and is generally more complex than other techniques. A simpler technique for testing cables and connections, for instance, includes the use of hand-held fault location devices (e.g., Visual Fault Locators (VFLs), Visual Fault Identifiers (VFIs), fiber fault locators, fiber fault detectors, etc.). These hand-held fault location devices typically use a visible light source (e.g., laser diode, LED, incandescent bulb, etc.) that is configured to emit visible light into a fiber optic cable to be tested. Normally, the technician disconnects the fiber optic cable from the photonic device and then connects the fault location device to one end of the fiber optic cable to enable testing. Then, any leakage of light (e.g., through the cable itself, at a cable connector, at any downstream component or port, etc.) can be easily detected. The technician can thereby visually pinpoint any issues with the cables or connectors and remediate these issues as needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to photonic devices deployed in an optical communication system and associated fiber optic cable testing apparatuses that may be integrated in the photonic devices. In one implementation, a fiber optic cable testing apparatus includes a dedicated testing waveguide arranged within a photonic device deployed in an optical communication system. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus further includes an external port arranged on the photonic device. The external port is connected to the dedicated testing waveguide and is configured to be connected to a fiber optic cable. While the fiber optic cable is connected to the external port during a testing stage, the dedicated testing waveguide is configured to transmit visible light to the fiber optic cable via the external port. The visible light includes one or more wavelengths that are visible to the human eye. Also, faults associated with the fiber optic cable, if any, are visually detectable by a user.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an optical source configured to emit the visible light. The optical source may be integrated in the photonic device. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an input test port arranged on the photonic device, wherein the optical source may be arranged external to the photonic device and may be configured to transmit the visible light to the dedicated testing waveguide via the input test port. The optical source may include a laser.

The fiber optic cable testing apparatus, according to some embodiments, may further include a plurality of dedicated testing waveguides arranged within the photonic device and a plurality of external ports arranged on the photonic device. Each of the plurality of external ports may be connected to a respective dedicated testing waveguide and may be configured to be connected to a fiber optic cable to be tested. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include a controllable switch configured to switch the visible light to one or more of the dedicated testing waveguides and external ports. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may also include a optical source arranged in the first photonic device. The first optical source may be configured to supply the visible light to the controllable switch. The controllable switch, in some embodiments, may be an MxN switch configured to receive input from the first optical source and a second optical source associated with an Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) testing system. Also, the MxN switch may further be configured to supply the visible light and/or OTDR test signals to one or more of the plurality of dedicated testing waveguides and external ports. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an external test port arranged on the photonic device. In this case, the controllable switch may further be configured to switch the visible light to a fiber component via the external test port, wherein the fiber component may be configured to operate independently of the photonic device.

The external port of the fiber optic cable testing apparatus may be configured as an input port or output port for communicating photonic signals according to a primary function of the photonic device. For example, the photonic device may be a) an amplifier, b) a Raman amplifier, c) a Wavelength Selective Switching (WSS) device, d) a Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) device, e) a photonic circuit card, f) a photonic circuit pack, g) a photonic line system, h) a Fiber Management and Routing System (FMRS), i) a patch panel system, or other suitable device. Also, the primary function of the photonic device may include a) amplifying photonic signals, b) multiplexing and/or demultiplexing photonic channels, c) controlling routes of photonic signals, and/or d) patching photonic signals from one photonic device to another. The one or more wavelengths of the visible light may be outside of operational spectrum associated with the primary function of the first photonic device and is configured not to interfere with communication of traffic channels in the operational spectrum.

The faults associated with the fiber optic cable that are visually detectable by the user may include a) a break in the fiber optic cable, b) a sharp bend of the fiber optic cable, c) a pinch in the fiber optic cable, d) a poorly-mated or loose cable connector, e) an open cable connector, f) an open port, g) improper light reflection or refraction in the fiber optic cable, h) excessive attenuation or loss in the fiber optic cable, and/or other faults. Any additional faults, if any, which may be associated with a test route extending upstream or downstream of an opposite end of the fiber optic cable, may also be visually detectable by the user. The test route, for example, may include one or more additional fiber optic cables and/or one or more additional photonic devices deployed in the data center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a data center10in which multiple photonic devices are installed. As shown inFIG.1, the data center10includes a plurality of racks12, where each rack12may include any number of photonic devices14. For example, the photonic devices14may include amplifiers (e.g., Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA), Raman amplifiers, etc.), Wavelength Selective Switching (WSS) devices, Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) devices, switches, routers, photonic circuit cards, photonic circuit packs, photonic line systems, etc. The primary functions of the photonic devices14may include amplifying photonic signals, multiplexing and/or demultiplexing photonic channels, controlling data traffic routes of photonic signals, etc.

The photonic devices14may be configured to communicate with each other via a plurality of fiber optic cables16. Some fiber optic cables16, which may be shorter in length, can be used to connect photonic devices14on the same rack12or adjacent racks12. Also, longer fiber optic cables16may be used to connect photonic devices14on different racks12located farther away from each other within the data center10. For example, some longer fiber optic cables16may extend from one photonic device14in one room (or building) to another photonic device14in another room (or building).

The data center10, as shown, also includes a plurality of patch panels18connected to the photonic devices14through fiber optic cables20(or fiber patch cables). The patch panels18are configured to extend communication paths or routes through the data center10, which can help technicians and engineers at the data center10maintain the fiber optic cables16in an organized fashion. In some embodiments, the patch panels18may be used for relaying signals from a photonic device14located on a rack12in one room (or building) to another photonic device14located on a rack12in another room (or building). Generally, the patch panels18may also be considered to be another type of “photonic device,” which, in this case, may be configured to passively relay optical signals from one photonic device14to another. The patch panels18may be related to or configured within a Fiber Management and Routing System (FMRS) or other circuits or systems that have the primary functions of controlling traffic routes of photonic signals, patching photonic signals from one photonic device14to another, etc.

Furthermore, the data center10includes a plurality of input/output cables22connected to input/output connectors24. Each input/out connector24may include a pair of optical paths (i.e., bidirectional) for enabling input signals and outputs signals to be transmitted along external fiber spools26which are arranged in connection with one or more other data centers or nodes configured according to any suitable topology in a communications network.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bidirectional path30(e.g., within a data center) through one or more photonic devices14. The bidirectional path30includes a first path32where photonic signals are transmitted in one direction (e.g., a west-to-east direction) and a second path34where photonic signals are transmitted in the opposite direction (e.g., an east-to-west direction). As shown in the example ofFIG.2, the bidirectional route30passes through a first photonic device14aand a second photonic device14b, where the first photonic device14ais configured in this example as an amplifier and the second photonic device14bis configured as a Raman amplifier. The first photonic device14aincludes a plurality of ports36(i.e., input ports and output ports) and the second photonic device14bincludes a plurality of ports38(i.e., input ports and output ports). It should be noted that the bidirectional path30may pass through any number or types of photonic devices14, each of which may have any number of external ports. The bidirectional path30may also include the input/output cables22and the input/output connectors24, as shown inFIG.1, for connecting the first and second photonic devices14a,14bto the external fiber spools26. Internal fibers along paths32,34may include the above-mentioned fiber optic cables16,20.

On typical system deployments in the field, fiber optic cables20(e.g., patch cables) between photonic devices14and external fiber spools26may be routed over complex Fiber Management and Routing Systems (FMRSs), patch panels18, patch panel bays, etc. To test any of the fiber optic cables16,20for faults (e.g., during a testing, debugging, or troubleshooting stage), a Visual Fault Locator (VFL), as mentioned above, may be used. Again, the technician may use the VFL to shine a visible light through the fibers and look for any light that escapes from the fibers and/or connectors to locate faults. The visible light, in some embodiments, may be produced using a laser source configured to emit a red light.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating a conventional solution for testing a fiber optic cable40(e.g., one of the fiber optic cables16,20shown inFIGS.1and2). In this example, in order to transmit the visible light along the fiber optic cable40to be tested, the technician disconnects the fiber optic cable40from the port38, which in this example is associated with the second photonic device14b. A connector42of the disconnected fiber optic cable40is then connected to an external VFL44having a source for generating a light that is transmitted along the fiber optic cable40. In this example, the external VFL44may be used to expose faults in the fiber optic cable40, as well as other cables (e.g., fiber optic cables16,20, input/output cables22, etc.) along an end portion of the path32leading to the eastbound external fiber spool26.

The test allows the technician to find the end points at patch-panels, loose connectors over the FMRS, or to detect sharp bending within Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) dead zones. However, one of the side effects of using an external source for identifying fiber faults, as described with respect toFIG.3, is that by disconnecting and reconnecting the fiber from the faceplate of the external VFL44, the technician may inadvertently contaminate the fiber tips at the faceplate of the second photonic device14bor the fiber tips on the fiber optic cable40under test. It is generally known that this contamination can lead to the burning of the fiber tips at a later time, which may force the need to replace expensive circuit packs. Therefore, there is a need in the field of cable testing to eliminate the need to remove the cables and thereby expose sensitive elements to possible contamination.

Furthermore, some photonic devices14may be equipped with OTDR functionality built-in, allowing OTDR tests to be run without the need to remove cables. Thus, by requiring a technician to disconnect cables for testing them with the external VFL44, these conventional strategies associated withFIG.3lose the benefits of having the built-in OTDR fiber testing system and may still set up a scenario where the technician could still contaminate the fiber tips. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate a fiber tester, by itself or along with an OTDR tester, into one or more of the photonic devices14for enabling testing without the need for a technician to remove cables. This would not only overcome the issues with conventional strategies but would also provide a low-cost solution to visually debug the data center10or other fiber plants without disconnecting cables from faceplates during testing. As such, the novel fault testing systems and methods of the present disclosure can be implemented, either by themselves or following OTDR runs in which OTDR dead zones are exposed.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure can automatically operate a “visible” source (e.g., about 400 nm to about 700 nm) that can normally remain in an out-of-service operation during normal operation of the data center10. However, during testing, the visible source can emit visible light (i.e., light that is visible to a human) within the data center or fiber plant for debugging the data center, where the tests can be performed in a way to avoid any potential conflicts with normal traffic channels. For example, the data center10may operate in the C band (i.e., 1530 nm to 1565 nm), the C+L band (e.g., 1530 nm to 1625 nm), or other suitable bandwidths or channels.

During the test, the embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to locate or expose fiber faults within OTDR dead zones, find sharp bends or breaks within patch cables, detect loose or poorly-mated connectors, etc. Also, these faults can be found without the need to disconnect fiber optic cables. The visible source may be a laser source ranging from about 400 nm to about 700 nm. For example, the laser may emit red light (e.g., in a range from about 630 nm to about 670 nm). The laser may have high power (e.g., about 1 mW) at a single-mode fiber.

FIGS.4-7are diagrams illustrating various embodiments of fault locating systems integrated into photonic devices installed or deployed in a data center, central office, node, etc.FIG.4shows a first embodiment of a fiber optic cable testing apparatus50where a single source52is integrated within a photonic device54.FIG.5shows a second embodiment of a fiber optic cable testing apparatus60where multiple sources62are integrated within a photonic device64.FIG.6shows a third embodiment of a fiber optic cable testing apparatus70where a visual source71and an OTDR source72are integrated within a photonic device73. Also,FIG.7shows a fourth embodiment of a fiber optic cable testing apparatus80where a photonic device81includes an input test port82for receiving visible light emission from an external source83.

As shown inFIG.4, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus50includes a switch55integrated in the photonic device54for receiving the internally generated light emission from the source52. The switch55is configured to direct visible light along one or more of a plurality of dedicated testing waveguides56, each connected to a respective one of a plurality of external ports57. Each of the external ports57may be connected to a fiber optic cable58having a connector59configured to be attached to the respective external port57. In operation, the source52is configured to generate visible light and provide the visible light to the switch55. Based on control input, the switch55is configured to direct the light to any one or more of the dedicated testing waveguides56for transmitting light through the corresponding fiber optic cable58. Light will normally pass through the fiber optic cable58being tested without any leakage if the fiber optic cable58is free of faults and has its connector59properly connected to the external port57. However, if there is a fault in the fiber optic cable58and/or the connector59is improperly connected, light from the source52may be exposed, which will thereby viewable by the technician as a fault.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the photonic device54may include an external test port53, which may be connected to the switch55and may be configured to supply visible light to an externally connected device for testing a component or circuit for faults, where the component or circuit in this case may be external to the normal functionality of the data center10or photonic device54.

As shown inFIG.5, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus60does not include a switch, but instead includes a source62for each fiber optic cable65to be tested. Each source62is connected directly to an external port66via a respective dedicated testing waveguide67. Thus, any source62can be activated during the testing stage to test the respective fiber optic cables65and their corresponding connectors68. Of note, the sources62can be directly connected to each respective dedicated testing waveguide67, such as via a coupler (not shown). In this manner, each respective dedicated testing waveguide67can be a port in the optical communication system, e.g., a line port, etc., and a respective source62can be turned on/off selectively to test this port.

As shown inFIG.6, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus70includes both the visual source71and OTDR source72integrated within the photonic device73. A switch74, which may be configured as an MxN switch, is configured to receive one (or both) inputs from the visual source71and/or OTDR source72and provide one or more signals (e.g., visible light signals and/or OTDR signals) to one or more of a plurality of dedicated testing waveguides75leading to a plurality of external ports76. The OTDR testing and visible light testing may be configured to test a plurality of fiber optic cables77connected to the external ports76via connectors78.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the photonic device73may include an external test port79, which may be connected to the switch74and may be configured to supply visible light and/or OTDR signals to an externally connected device for testing a component or circuit for faults, where the component or circuit may be external to the normal functionality of the data center10or photonic device73.

As shown inFIG.7, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus80allows the external source83to emit visible light signals to the input test port82, which is connected to a switch84. The switch84is configured to direct the visible light signals along one or more selected waveguides of a plurality of dedicated testing waveguides85connected to a plurality of external ports86. This allows testing of any one or more of a plurality of fiber optic cables87connected to the external ports86via respective connectors88.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the photonic device81may also include an external test port89, which may be connected to the switch84and may be configured to supply visible light to an externally connected device for testing a component or circuit for faults, where the component or circuit may be external to the normal functionality of the data center10or photonic device81.

According to additional embodiments, the sources52,62,71,72(integrated within the respective photonic devices) and the switches55,74,84(integrated within the respective photonic devices) may be controlled by any suitable control circuit, computing system, Network Management System (NMS), technician's mobile device, etc. In some embodiments, the sources and switches may be controlled by the computing system ofFIG.8, as described in more detail below.

Control steps may include shutting off operational signal transmission throughout the related photonic device54,64,73,81, whereby the operational signal transmission may include optical signals in the C band, C+L band, etc. If OTDR testing is to be performed (FIG.6), the OTDR test can be run using the OTDR source72. The OTDR test can detect faults in the fiber optic cables and determine a distance to these faults. It may be noted that certain limitations with OTDR testing, the results may include dead zones, where the granularity of the OTDR test is insufficient to detect the exact locations of faults. To test specific locations of faults in the fiber optic cables58,65,77,87, according to the various embodiments, the sources52,62,71,83generate the light signals and the switches55,74,84may be configured to supply light emission to selected cables. At this point, the technician can visually inspect the cables and corresponding connectors under test. It should also be noted that, with sufficient power, the light test may be able to transmit light along long distances of cables and other photonic devices along a path or route within the data center10. Thus, the technician may walk throughout the data center10to look for light escaping from faulty cables, connectors, loosely connected cables, and other faults. If a faulty cable, connector, or connection is found, the technician can replace the cable and/or reconnect a loose or open connector.

The sources52,62, and71may be optical sources integrated in the photonic devices54,64,73, respectively. The source83may an external optical source connected to the photonic device81. The optical sources may include a laser diode that can emit visual light to at least one or more faceplate ports. The optical sources can be integrated with an Mx1 optical switch that can route the visual light towards any line-interfacing faceplate ports. If there is an existing OTDR source integrated in the photonic device, as shown inFIG.6, the switch74can be an MxN switch. In some embodiments, the visual light emission from the visible source71can be mutually exclusive from OTDR operations of the OTDR source72.

The sources52,62,71,83may generate light within about 400-700 nm to keep it within a human-eye visible or visual range. For safety purposes, when a light source is turned on for a given port (e.g., line-out or line-in), then other light sources in that direction (e.g., amplifiers) can be shut off. Therefore, this safety measure may reduce the risk of damage to the eyes of the technicians from harmful radiation. With the source on, the technician can search for and locate open or poorly-mated connectors within fiber management and routing systems, patch panel boxes, cables with sharp-bending, pinches, and/or breaks (e.g., within the OTDR dead zones). Again, this fault location can be performed without disconnecting any of the fibers from the faceplate ports.

Therefore, according to various embodiments, the present disclosure may be directed to a fiber optic cable testing apparatus (e.g., fiber optic cable testing apparatuses50,60,70,80) that includes a dedicated testing waveguide arranged within a first photonic device deployed in a data center having a plurality of photonic devices. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus further includes an external port arranged on the first photonic device. The external port is connected to the dedicated testing waveguide and configured to be connected to a fiber optic cable to be tested. While the fiber optic cable is connected to the external port during a testing stage, the dedicated testing waveguide is configured to transmit visible light to the fiber optic cable via the external port. The visible light includes one or more wavelengths that are visible to the human eye. Also, faults associated with the fiber optic cable, if any, are visually detectable by a user.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an optical source configured to emit the visible light. The optical source may be integrated in the first photonic device. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an input test port arranged on the first photonic device, wherein the optical source may be arranged external to the first photonic device and may be configured to transmit the visible light to the dedicated testing waveguide via the input test port. The optical source may include a laser.

The fiber optic cable testing apparatus, according to some embodiments, may further include a plurality of dedicated testing waveguides arranged within the first photonic device and a plurality of external ports arranged on the first photonic device. Each of the plurality of external ports may be connected to a respective dedicated testing waveguide and may be configured to be connected to a fiber optic cable to be tested. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include a controllable switch configured to switch the visible light to one or more of the dedicated testing waveguides and external ports. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may also include a first optical source arranged in the first photonic device. The first optical source may be configured to supply the visible light to the controllable switch. The controllable switch, in some embodiments, may be an MxN switch configured to receive input from the first optical source and a second optical source associated with an Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) testing system. Also, the MxN switch may further be configured to supply the visible light and/or OTDR test signals to one or more of the plurality of dedicated testing waveguides and external ports. The fiber optic cable testing apparatus may further include an external test port arranged on the first photonic device. In this case, the controllable switch may further be configured to switch the visible light to a fiber component via the external test port, wherein the fiber component may be configured to operate independently of the first photonic device.

The external port of the fiber optic cable testing apparatus may be configured as an input port or output port for communicating photonic signals according to a primary function of the first photonic device. For example, the first photonic device may be a) an amplifier, b) a Raman amplifier, c) a Wavelength Selective Switching (WSS) device, d) a Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) device, e) a photonic circuit card, f) a photonic circuit pack, g) a photonic line system, h) a Fiber Management and Routing System (FMRS), i) a patch panel system, or other suitable device. Also, the primary function of the first photonic device may include a) amplifying photonic signals, b) multiplexing and/or demultiplexing photonic channels, c) controlling routes of photonic signals, and/or d) patching photonic signals from one photonic device to another. The one or more wavelengths of the visible light may be outside of operational spectrum associated with the primary function of the first photonic device and is configured not to interfere with communication of traffic channels in the operational spectrum.

The faults associated with the fiber optic cable that are visually detectable by the user may include a) a break in the fiber optic cable, b) a sharp bend of the fiber optic cable, c) a pinch in the fiber optic cable, d) a poorly-mated or loose cable connector, e) an open cable connector, f) an open port, g) improper light reflection or refraction in the fiber optic cable, h) excessive attenuation or loss in the fiber optic cable, and/or other faults. Any additional faults, if any, which may be associated with a test route extending upstream or downstream of an opposite end of the fiber optic cable, may also be visually detectable by the user. The test route, for example, may include one or more additional fiber optic cables and/or one or more additional photonic devices deployed in the data center.

FIG.8is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a computing system100for administering a fault location test. In the illustrated embodiment, the computing system100may be a digital computing device that generally includes a processing device102, a memory device104, Input/Output (I/O) interfaces106, a network interface108, and a database110. It should be appreciated thatFIG.8depicts the computing system100in a simplified manner, where some embodiments may include additional components and suitably configured processing logic to support known or conventional operating features. The components (i.e.,102,104,106,108,110) may be communicatively coupled via a local interface112. The local interface112may include, for example, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections. The local interface112may also include controllers, buffers, caches, drivers, repeaters, receivers, among other elements, to enable communication. Further, the local interface112may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the components102,104,106,108,110.

Moreover, some embodiments may include a non-transitory computer- readable medium having instructions stored thereon for programming a computer, server, appliance, device, at least one processor, circuit/circuitry, etc. to perform functions as described and claimed herein. Examples of such non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, and the like. When stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, software can include instructions executable by one or more processors (e.g., any type of programmable circuitry or logic) that, in response to such execution, cause the one or more processors to perform a set of operations, steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. as described herein for the various embodiments.

According to some embodiments, the computing system100may include a fault testing program114. The fault testing program114may include computer logic, code, or instructions for enabling the processing device102to perform a fault test for testing the fiber optic cables and/or connectors associated with one or more a photonic devices in a data center or network node. The fault testing program114may be implemented in software and/or firmware in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the memory device104. In some embodiments, the fault testing program114may be implemented in hardware in the processing device102. In other embodiments, the fault testing program114may be implemented in any suitable combination of hardware, software, and firmware.

In operation, the fault testing program114may be configured to send control instructions to the various sources52,62,71,72,83and switches5574,84to activate the appropriate sources and switches to send visible light to the respective external ports57,66,76,86, which in turn is connected fiber optic cables58,65,77,87via connectors59,68,78,88. Thus, visible light is sent to selected cables for testing these cables as described in the present disclosure and allows the tested cables to remain connected without the need to disconnect the cable and expose sensitive fiber tips to possible contamination. The fault testing program114may further include a step of automatically shutting off the operational light transmission to enable testing without the risk of exposure of the technician or user to harmful light transmission.

Thus, according to the various systems and methods of the present disclosure, the cables being tested can remain connected to the faceplate ports or external ports. By allowing the cables to remain connected, there is no longer a need to disconnect the cables for testing, which can thereby greatly reduce (or eliminate) the risk of contaminating the ends of the cables or external ports or exposing the technician to harmful light emissions that can cause damage to the eyes.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described herein with reference to various embodiments and examples, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions, achieve like results, and/or provide other advantages. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All equivalent or alternative embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are contemplated thereby and are intended to be covered by the following claims.