Fluke Networks FI-500 FiberInspector Micro

Fluke Networks® FI-500 FiberInspector™ Micro

PortBright™

PortBright is a flashlight that is built into the probe and allows you find the port and then connect the probe tip

Autofocus

All manual scopes and many digital probes have manual focus rings. This may require two hands and is sometimes difficult to focus in densely packed patch panels

Cleaning Kits

An important addition to your verification, troubleshooting, and inspection tasks is fiber cleaning. Dirt, dust, and other contaminants are the enemy of high-speed data transmission over optical fiber. Today’s network applications require more bandwidth, making loss budgets tighter than ever. It is critical that all optical connections are clean and free of contaminants to ensure application success

Dirty fiber optic endfaces are the major cause of problems in singlemode and multimode fiber optic systems. The FI-500 FiberInspector™ Micro removes the hassle associated with inspecting fiber end faces, especially in low light and high cable density situations. It is very simple to use: Simply plug the cable into the FI-500 and touch the AF button. Within seconds, the fiber endface comes into sharp, clear view. And if you’re working in a difficult to reach place or you can’t get the image to stand still, just touch the pause button to freeze the image.

PortBright™ illumination to see ports in dark and dense panels

Autofocus for stable images in a few seconds

Large display to view single mode and multimode fiber end faces

Includes 4 UPC tips (LC, SC, 1.25 mm and 2.50 mm). APC tips available

Today’s high density fiber patch panels make inspection a challenge. Finding the cable or port to test can be tough, especially in the low light conditions found in most data centers and wiring closets.

The FI-500 is designed to simplify the inspection process. The built-in PortBright flashlight helps you find the right port or cable. The small-profile probe fits into tight spots, and features pushbutton controls for simple operation. Autofocus provides a sharp view of the endface in a few seconds, while the pause button freezes the image on the crisp 320 x 240 display for more detailed inspection.

The FI-500 FiberInspector Micro fills the gap between a manual scope and a fully automated inspection scope. The FI-500 has the simplicity and practicality of a manual inspection scope, but with advanced features to reduce troubleshooting and inspection time.

Manual fiber inspection scopes are simple to use, but they don’t work well on patch panels or situations where there is a high density of fiber. Holding it up to one eye and closing your other eye is often inconvenient or impractical, especially in a dark room.

Fully automatic inspection scopes analyze and grade the cleanliness of fiber connections which is important for many applications, but analysis is usually not needed for quick basic troubleshooting.

Important Benefits Typical Manual Scopes FI-500 FiberInspector Micro Typical Analysis Scope

Illumination of small or dark ports ✓

Autofocus for quick and stable images* ✓ Model dependent

Compact design to get into tight spaces ✓ Model dependent

Works on patch cords and bulkhead connectors ✓ ✓

Wide range of tips to support most connectors ✓ ✓

Capture and zoom to see small particles ✓ ✓

Endface analysis to highlight dirt ✓

Image storage ✓

Data transfer to PC or cloud ✓

Rugged digital design ✓ ✓

Relative cost Low Medium High

Fast, Easy Viewing of Fiber Endfaces

FI-500 displaying a clean fiber endface

FI-500 provides immediate and in-depth visibility into fiber patch cords and bulkhead connectors.

Screw-on probe tips to support most connector types.

• FI-500 includes 4 UPC tips; SC, LC, 1.25 mm and 2.50 mm.

• Optional APC tip kit includes 4 APC tips; SC, LC, 1.25 mm and 2.50 mm. Other probe tips available.

PortBright, a built-in flashlight illuminates dark areas and dense panels.

Switch on PortBright with a convenient button on the probe.

Pause button holds the image for viewing when it’s hard to get it just right.

Two second autofocus reduces inspection time and keeps your other hand free. (If the APC tip is not aligned with connector, the connector or probe may require rotation and repeating auto-focus or manual focus.)

Status bar to see battery charge and other information. Auto power off increases battery life.

Bright 320 x 240 backlit display.

Magnification of 200X with 1X, 2X and 4X zoom settings.

Rugged construction; vibration and drop tested to 1 meter

Compact design allows you to access dense and crowded panels

No batteries to change in the probe. Probe is powered by display unit

Fiber Inspection and Cleaning

Dirt, dust and other contaminants are the enemies of high-speed data transmission over optical fiber. Today’s network applications require more bandwidth than ever, making loss budgets tighter than ever. Hence, it is critical that all optical connections are free of contaminants to avoid having application performance issues.

Eliminate the #1 cause of fiber failure

In a survey of installers and network owners commissioned by Fluke Networks®, endface contamination was found to be the leading cause of fiber failures. Dirt and contaminants cause insertion loss and back-reflection that inhibit the light transmission and raises havoc with transceivers. And because dirt can migrate from one endface to another upon mating, both sides of any connection must be inspected. Further, mating contaminated connectors can cause permanent damage as microscopic debris is crushed between endfaces in physical contact. Therefore, you must always inspect and clean before mating as a preventative measure and not only after experiencing problems. Even factory terminated patch cords or pigtails must be inspected as protective caps do not keep endfaces clean. Avoiding this common cause of failure starts with inspecting the endface and eliminating any contamination before insertion into a bulkhead or piece of equipment.

Range of inspection options

With a range of solutions, Fluke Networks® always has the right tool for you to easily inspect endfaces on a wide variety of connectors.