This visual fault locator is the FWV-100, a pocket fibre fault finder that pairs a 10mW 650nm red VFL with an invisible 1550nm fault finder which draws the fibre trace on a 1.88 inch colour screen and locates faults up to 20km away. It suits faults the red light cannot reach, such as cable that is buried or run through pipes.
The red VFL shows breaks and tight bends in patch leads and short runs as visible light leaking from the fibre, in steady or 3Hz flashing mode, through a universal 2.5mm connector. For longer runs the 1550nm port on the other end sends invisible pulses and the screen shows the trace with the distance to the fibre end or fault, with range and pulse width set from the measure menu. The fault finder tolerates live traffic up to 7dBm at 1270/1310/1577nm and 0dBm at 1490nm.
Features and Benefits
- Visible and invisible light in one tool - 650nm for what you can see, 1550nm for what you cannot.
- Fault distance up to 20km on screen - find faults in buried cable and pipes.
- Quick start VFL and LED keys - one press to light the fibre or the work area.
- Rocker and press button control - fast menu changes with one thumb.
- Built-in 900mAh battery with Type-C charging - over 4 hours on VFL only, over 6 hours on the fault finder only.
- 3mm thick hard shell - built to take drops on site.
- IP54 dustproof and waterproof PP storage box with hanging rope.
Applications
- FTTH drop and patch lead fault finding
- Locating breaks in buried fibre and fibre in pipes
- Checking continuity and fibre end before splicing
- Quick checks during ONT installs and repairs
In the box
- Fault locator, PP storage box, two ceramic cores, Type-C cable, lanyard and packing box.
Note: Both ports are lasers. Never look into the laser output or a live fibre end.
VFL wavelength: 650 ±20nm (visible red). VFL output power: 10mW (as pictured on both options). VFL modes: Steady (CW) or 3Hz flashing; quick start supported. VFL connector: Universal 2.5mm. Fault finder wavelength: 1550 ±10nm (invisible). Fault finder test range: Up to 20km. Fault finder connector: SC, UPC or APC by option. Live traffic tolerance: 1270/1310/1577nm up to 7dBm; 1490nm up to 0dBm. Measure settings: Range (such as 500m, 2.5km, 20km), pulse width (such as 100ns, 250ns), RT mode. Trace display: Trace with cursor distance and result text such as Well connected or Optical Fiber End. LED light: Built-in, quick start. Screen: 1.88 inch colour screen. Battery: Built-in 900mAh lithium. Operating time: VFL only over 4 hours; fault finder only over 6 hours. Charging: Type-C port. Operating temperature: 0 to 50°C. Relative humidity: 10 to 90%, no condensation. Size: 141 x 45 x 24mm. Weight: 120g. Housing: 3mm thick hard shell, anti-drop and anti-pressure. Controls: Rocker with press, power, zoom, menu, ESC, LED and VFL keys. Storage box: IP54 dustproof and waterproof PP box with hanging rope. Package contents: Fault locator, PP box, two ceramic cores, Type-C cable, lanyard, packing box. Q: How is this different from a normal visual fault locator? A: A normal VFL only shows faults you can see as red light leaking from the fibre. This one adds an invisible 1550nm fault finder that draws the trace on screen and gives the distance to a fault up to 20km away.. Q: How far away can it find a fibre fault? A: The 1550nm fault finder is rated to 20km. The red 650nm VFL is for faults you can see along patch leads and exposed fibre.. Q: Can I use it on a live fibre? A: The fault finder tolerates live signals up to 7dBm at 1270, 1310 and 1577nm and up to 0dBm at 1490nm, according to the seller.. Q: Which connectors does it take? A: The VFL has a universal 2.5mm connector for SC, FC and ST ferrules. The fault finder port is SC, in UPC or APC depending on the option you choose.. Q: How long does the battery last? A: The 900mAh battery gives over 4 hours with only the VFL on and over 6 hours with only the fault finder on. It charges through Type-C..