Fibre optic connector inspection probes
What is a fibre optic inspection probe & which one do you need?
A fibre optic connector inspection probe is used to inspect connector end faces on patch cords or on connectors installed behind adapters. Often you can use these probes with PCs or test platforms that have a USB interface. Or you can use Bluetooth for wireless connection to mobiles, tablets or laptops. You can then analyse the images and store them, or generate reports.
Older style direct viewing inspection microscopes are considered legacy equipment and are not recommended for inspecting connectors. There are potential risks associated with them and they cannot be used to inspect connectors behind panels. Any assessment of the end face quality with older style direct viewing microscopes is purely subjective, so the criteria of inspection standards cannot be applied. Also there is no way to store an image for documentation purposes.
Learn when, why and how to inspect fibre optic connectors
If you need to learn when, why and how to inspect fibre optic connectors then you can do so on many of OTT’s courses including the Certified Optical Fibre Installer (COFI) and Certified Fibre Characterisation Engineer (CFCE) courses.
If you are working on the installation and maintenance of core telecom fibre optic networks then the COFI-OSP course is for you. If you are working on the installation and maintenance of enterprise, datacomms, or local area (LAN) networks then you’ll find that the COFI Enterprise course is designed specifically for you.
What video inspection probe should you buy?
The first generation of video inspection probes usually used an analogue video camera that was hard wired to a hand-held display. These were OK for inspecting connectors for cleanliness but did not include any analysis of the image to give a pass/fail result. Some were able to store the inspection images.
The second generation of video inspection probes use a digital video camera that is connected to a host platform via a USB lead. The host platform may be another piece of test equipment with a suitable display such as an OTDR, or may be a PC. These systems are then capable of full analysis of the end face image to produce a pass/fail reading against Standards and also to store the results and produce reports.
The third generation of fibre optic connector inspection probes have gone wireless, usually with Bluetooth connectivity to a mobile device such as a smart phone, or to a host test platform. Many of these probes now also include autofocus for fast, reliable and repeatable imaging and analysis. Multi-fibre connector inspection options are available.
The latest fourth generation Inspection systems are often shaped like a compact power drill with a comfortable ergonomic handle, an integrated colour touch screen display, with battery capacity and data storage capacity for thousands of measurements. These systems have higher resolution cameras allowing a large field of view to be captured as a single image, ideally capable of viewing the entire end face of an MPO style connector ferrule end face that is 6.4mm × 2.5mm. It is important for these connector styles that the entire end face is clean.
The high resolution imaging also helps with the detailed analysis images for each individual fibre, allowing detection, and accurate classification, of small defects and scratches.
Below you’ll find useful links to the market leading manufacturers (in alphabetical order), to help you research and decide which inspection probe to buy.
You can find out about the connector inspection software, that these probes use, on the OTT field guide page here.
AFL offers solutions ranging from standalone inspection scopes to probe options for direct connection to OTDRs or a PC.
FOCIS Lightning 2
The FOCIS Lightning 2 is a compact self-contained inspection probe that captures and displays the entire MPO end-face image in less than two seconds. One button provides auto-focusing, centering, and pass/fail analysis at the connector and individual fibre level. It can be used to inspect MPO-8, -12, -16, -24 and -32 connectors. Results can be easily shared via USB and Bluetooth®.
3.5 inch integrated colour display (320×480)
Field of view LFOV: 4333 x 5418 μm
Multi Fibres: 3200 x 4000 μm, details of each fibre: 200 x 225 μm
Single Fibre: 1314 x 1626 μm
Manual Detection Capability (minimum): 0.25 μm
Auto Analysis Resolution: <1.0 μm
FOCIS Flex
The FOCIS Flex Fiber Optic Connector Inspection System is a handheld Bluetooth® inspection probe with integrated 2.4 inch (240×320) screen. It has a rechargeable battery, pass/fail analysis and internal storage so it can be used independently without needing an external OTDR or device with a display.
Field of View: Zoomed Out: 560 x 600 µm; Partially Zoomed In: 360 x 390 µm; Fully Zoomed In: 180 x 195 µm
Manual Detection Capability (minimum): 0.25 µm
Auto Analysis Resolution: <1.0 µm
Captured Image Size (Pixels): 648 x 480 VGA
FOCIS WiFi2™
The (now legacy) FOCIS WiFi2 probe is ergonomic and lightweight with a single multipurpose button, a single multi-colour functional status LED, and a battery charging port. The status LED allows the operator to assess the cleanliness of the fibre endface quickly as well as checking for a “fiber not found” error notification. It can be used with a large range of inspection adapter tips for both patch cord connectors and bulkheads.
FOCIS WiFi PRO
The (now legacy) FOCIS WiFi PRO system consists of a DFS1 Digital FiberScope, a Portable Application Link WiFi unit.system and the AFL FOCIS application software. This set up links connector inspection and analysis to the users’ mobile phone or tablet. It automatically analyses connectors according to defined standards and you can save, recall and share results via email, text or cloud applications.
FIP-500 fiber inspection scope
The FIP-500 fibre inspection tool is a fully automated fibre inspection solution for single-fibre, duplex and multi-fibre connectors. The 2x 5 megapixel cameras allow high resolution, large field of view images to be acquired. With a smartphone-grade 2.4-inch colour touchscreen, a quick connect quarter-turn click design for switching between any tips or inspection type, and a long-lasting battery and local memory space, it is designed to be fast for on the go, intensive use.
- Field of view Multi-fibre: 2.03 mm x 5.16 mm
- Single-fibre: 0.75 mm x 0.75 mm
- Inspection and analysis time: MPO-12: 10s, MPO-24: 15s, Single-fiber: 4s
FIP-400B Wireless fiber inspection probe
The FIP-400B Wireless fibre inspection probe is a fully automated fibre inspection solution, with 5 megapixel camera, automatic focus and image centering. It utilises EXFO’s ConnectorMax2 software and features a pass/fail LED, so users can perform connector certification without having to look back at the smartphone or linked device. The probe can be extended to work with multifibre connectors by adding the automated multi fibre connector inspection tip.
- Field of view: 304 µm x 304 µm (high magnification), 608 µm x 608 µm (mid magnification), 912 µm x 912 µm (low magnification)
- Resolution: 0.55 µm
FIP-400B USB fiber inspection probe
The FIP-400B is a handheld fibre inspection probe with USB connection to link to various EXFO test units or a laptop etc.
MAX-FIP
The MAX-FIP is a rugged tablet-inspired design featuring a large screen for precise viewing of even the smallest defects on fibre endfaces.
Fluke offer a range of solutions for inspecting fibre optic connectors.
FI-3000 / FI2-7300 FiberInspector™
The FI-3000 / FI2-7300 FiberInspector™ Ultra is an automatically focused digital inspection tool with a 5 megapixel camera for inspecting single fibre connectors or multifibre (MPO) connectors. It connects via Wi-Fi or USB lead to the Fluke Versiv test platform mainframe unit, or via Wi-Fi to Smart phones for image display, analysis and reporting. The Versiv platform supports OLTS (optical loss test set) and OTDR modules.
Field of view: MPO View All – 4800 x 2000 μm; Single Fiber – 985×1310 μm
Resolution: 1 µm
Test Time: Less than 2 seconds per fibre
FI-7000 FiberInspector Pro
The FI-7000 FiberInspector Pro is a manually focused digital inspection probe with a 2 megapixel camera for inspecting single fibre connectors or multifibre connectors one fibre at a time. It connects to the Fluke Versiv test platform mainframe unit for image display, analysis and reporting.
The Versiv platform supports OLTS (optical loss test set) and OTDR modules.
Field of View (FOV) Horizontal: 425 μm, Vertical: 320 μm
Minimum Detectable Particle Size 0.5 μm
FI-500 FiberInspector
The FI-500 FiberInspector is a compact automatically focused inspection probe for inspecting single fibre connectors.
It is connected to a 3.2 inch (320 x 240) handheld display via a USB lead. There is no image analysis nor storage.
Sumix and Senko
Sumix and Senko are working in partnership on a range of compact microscopes for end face inspection of all types of single and multi-fibre optic connectors, patch cords and bulkhead, including but not limited to: MT, MPO, SN-MT, MMC, LC, FC, SC, CS®, SN®, MDC, E2000™, MXC, PRIZM, QSFP, ARINC, MIL-38999, ODC®, Q-ODC®, SMA, High-power SMA, Avim, mini-Avim and more.
Manta HM
Manta HM (stands for “high magnification”) with a 20 megapixel camera this allows high resolution images over a large field of view in a single scan, with the ability to measure MPO connectors with up to 72 fibres. Uses USB 3.0 connection to laptop, tablet or Android phone (Google Pixel 5a or later) for image display, analysis and reporting using the MaxInspect software.
Field of view: 4.2 × 2.8 mm
Defect size detection: 0.5 µm
Effective resolution: 1.5 µm
Magnification: 0.75 µm/pixel or 360× (Display 24″ 1920 × 1080)
Focus: auto
Measurement time: The indicated values do not include autofocusing time.
2.6 sec for MT12
3.5 sec for MT16
4.5 sec for MT24
10 sec for MT72
Manta W+
The Manta W+ allows high resolution images over a large field of view in a single scan, with the ability to measure MPO connectors with up to 72 fibres. Uses USB 3.0 connection to laptop or tablet for image display, analysis and reporting using the MaxInspect software.
Field of view: 4.1 × 3.0 mm
Defect size detection: 0.75 µm
Optical resolution: 1.8 µm
Magnification: 260×
Focus: auto
Measurement time: The indicated values do not include autofocusing time
2.1 sec for MT12
2.3 sec for MT16
4 sec for MT24
7.7 sec for MT72
Manta+ V2
The field of view of Manta+V2 is ideal for large fibre military connectors and enables the inspection of multi-fibre connectors in two scans each taking around 2 seconds. Uses USB 3.0 connection to laptop or tablet for image display, analysis and reporting using the MaxInspect software.
Field of view: 2.4 × 1.8 mm
Defect size detection: 0.75 µm
Optical resolution: 1.8 µm
Magnification: 290×
Focus: autofocus
Measurement time:
6.5 sec for MT12,
6.9 sec for MT16,
9.7 sec for MT24
Scopio B
The Scopio B Is a compact digital inspection probe for inspecting single fibre connectors or multifibre connectors one fibre at a time. It uses manual focusing. Uses USB 2.0 connection to a laptop or tablet for image display, analysis and reporting using the MaxInspect software.
Field of view: d = 0.4 mm
Defect size detection: 0.5 µm
Optical resolution: 2 µm
Magnification: 600×
Focus: manual
Scopio A
The Scopio A is a compact analogue inspection probe for inspecting single fibre connectors. It uses manual focusing.
It is hardwired to a 3.5 inch handheld display. There is no image analysis.
