New Loss Budget Values for Reference Grade Connectors in ANSI/TIA-568.3-D

The latest revision of the ANSI/TIA-568.3-D standard calls out for tighter test limits when mating reference-grade connectors to standard-grade connectors.

There are several steps to be taken to reduce the uncertainty in loss testing of installed field links. The first step is to use the 1-cord method (e.g., reference) In the case of multimode, use an LED source and Encircled Flux compliant Test Reference Cords.

While we are on the subject of test reference cords, the standard recommends the use of reference-grade connectors. Specifically in clause 7.3.4, the TIA-568 standard makes reference to the ANSI/TIA-526-7 and ANSI/TIA-526-14, which recommend the use of reference-grade connectors.

Reference-grade connectors are built to tighter tolerances, which result in their having better performance in a mated connection. A pair of mated multimode reference-grade connectors should offer a loss value equal to or less than 0,10 dB. Single mode reference-grade connectors should offer a loss value less than or equal to 0,20 dB.

When mating a reference-grade connector to a standard-grade connector, you can expect better than the standard-grade loss value of 0,75 dB. The ISO/IEC 14763-3 standard specifies that the loss limit for a mated pair of reference-grade to standard-grade connectors is ≤ 0,30 dB for multimode, and ≤ 0,50 dB for singlemode.

Since Fluke Networks ships test reference cords (TRC) with reference-grade connectors, we have tightened the loss budgets for the “TIA-568.3-D Multimode” and the “TIA-568.3-D Singlemode” limits as of version 5,0 firmware in the Versiv / CertiFiber Pro. This also follows the recommendation of the standard.

This new value only applies to the first and last connector; that is, the reference-grade connector from the TRC to the standard-grade connector of the link under test.

 

 

 

 

If you would like to use the standard-grade to standard-grade values today, you will have to set up a custom fiber limit.