Launch reel

The launch reel (or reflectometric extender or pulse suppressor), is a passive optical fiber element, usually used in the measurents realized with OTDR, in the installation or certification of optical fiber cable deployments.

The launch reel consists in a determined length of optical fiber, singlemode 10/125 or multimode 50/125 or 62.5/125, that allows to eliminate the blind zone produced at the OTDR output, permitting in this way the complete visualization of the whole length of optical fiber to be measured, even including the first connector or optical connection.

The required length depends on the blind zone of the OTDR, but the typical values are over 1000 m. The fiber used in the launch reel can be any standard fiber used in optical communications: singlemode G.652, dispersion fibers or NZDSF (Non-Zero-Dispersion Shifted Fiber) . Also can be supplied for multimode applications.

The quality and optical behaviour of the fiber in the launching reel are tested and measured, and are delivered together with the reel. The two extremes of the reel's optical fiber are accesible through pigtails of 3mm. Diammeter, ending up with the required connector (FC, SC, ST, LC...) and in any of the usual polishing (SPC, UPC, APC).

The pigtails' length can be selected, as well as the connector to be assembled. The mechanical reel presentation is a robust and easily transportable briefcase with handle, that permits to keep all fiber pigtails in a secure manner during the transport.

Another reel mechanical format is the presentation of two double females in the front pannel. These females can be also in any of the connectors or usual polishing formats.