Optical Power Meter Reading

The optical power meter usually reads in dbm for power measurements or db with respect to a user set reference value for loss.

Optical power meter reading.

An optical power meter is. Nist developed a testing system to provide absolute power calibrations for optical power meters. Turn on the source of power transmitter and view the meter s measurement. The term usually refers to a device for testing average power in fiber optic systems.

The consoles pm100 pm400 and pm300 series when paired with our extensive line of power and energy sensors provide calibrated nist traceable. The working principle of calibrating an optical power meter. Even with low power layouts it s wise to check the connectors with your power meter before looking. Thorlabs expanding line of optical power and energy meters includes power meter consoles a large selection of sensor heads a wireless power meter with a built in photodiode sensor and a fiber optic power meter designed for use in the field.

While most power meters have ranges of 3 to 50 dbm most sources are in the range of 0 to 10 dbm for lasers and 10 to 20 dbm for leds. An optical power meter is the most common type of test equipment used to support fiber optic system. The optical power meter reading expressed in units of dbm on the opm screen is an intuitional way to measure optical power. Other general purpose light power measuring devices are usually called radiometers photometers laser power meters can be photodiode sensors or thermopile laser sensors light meters or lux meters.

How to use optical power meter. Thus a source with a power level of 0 dbm has a power of 1 milliwatt. When measuring fiber optic power with a power meter attach the meter to the cable. We also offer a complete line of low power sensors laser power sensors laser energy sensors and specialty sensors such as the peps series power position sensors and liad series lock in amplifier detectors.

The m in dbm refers to the reference power which is 1 milliwatt. An optical power meter opm is a testing instrument used to accurately measure the power of fiber optic equipment or the power of an optical signal passed through the fiber cable. It also helps in determining the power loss incurred to the optical signal while passing through the optical media. See our optical power meters to browse our standard models or select a product series below to learn more about our products and capabilities.