Selecting the Best Handheld Optical Power Meter

Optical electric meter

People are usually conversant in electronic multimeters which may measure voltage, current, and resistance. An optical electric meter and OTDR looks and works a bit like a multimeter. It consists of a display unit and a calibrated sensor to live the sunshine power transmitted in optical fibers.

Its place of use

Optical power meters are broadly utilized in the fiber optic communication industry. it always comes in two types: desktop type and handheld type.

The desktop type has much higher resolution and is typically utilized in R&D applications within the lab, fiber optic components, and systems manufacturing floors.

Power meter’s working wavelength 

In the handheld optical power market, the foremost popular wavelengths are 850nm, 1300nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm. 850nm and 1300nm are for multimode applications. 1310nm and 1550nm are for single-mode applications.

It is best to settle on an optical electric meter which is calibrated for all four wavelengths to urge the foremost out of your money. So you'll cover both multimode and single-mode network applications of the optical power meter.

Fiber optic electric meter Traceable calibration 

Power meters are calibrated employing a traceable calibration standard like a NIST standard. Standards and measurements for the U.S. industry are offered by NIST laboratories.

Detector types

The optical detector during a handheld optical electric meter is liable for converting light energy into electronic volt therefore the circuit card within the instrument can measure it accordingly. The sort of detector determines the wavelength range and its dynamic range.

Silicon type detectors can sense 350nm to 1100nm wavelength light. Germanium detectors can sense 750nm to 1800nm. The foremost popular detectors can measure 850nm to 1650 nm.

Dynamic range

An optical power meter's dynamic range spec tells you what light power range it can effectively and properly measure. The optical light source is very reliable.

Optical power meters Manufactures 

The handheld electric meter market is crowded with Agilent, Anritsu, EXFO, Noyes, and a few other less-known brand names. But this sort of product is pretty mature and typically you'll safely go searching.