After fiber optic cables are installed, spliced and terminated, they must be tested. As the components like fiber, connectors, splices, LED or laser sources, detectors and receivers are being developed, testing confirms their performance specifications and helps. In order to test the fibers in a fiber optic cable with a power meter and source or with an OTDR, one needs to establish test conditions. The test conditions should be similar to how the actual cable plant will be used when communications equipment is connected (see drawing below. Corning recommends that all fiber optic systems be tested to a minimum set. Follow the latest IEC, TIA, and FOA fiber testing standards in 2025 to ensure your network stays reliable and meets legal and insurance requirements. Each test is defined by a method number (E1–E20) within IEC 60794-1-21. The cable must maintain optical performance — specifically, fibre strain and attenuation — within specified. This Applications Engineering Note (AEN 135) explains and recommends standard measurement methods for characterizing optical fiber system performance.
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