Transceiver Module Maintenance Methods and Installation Tips

Maintenance Methods for Internal Problems of Optical Modules

The five common problems listed in the last part might be faults internally. Take the 1G SFP transceiver as example, we are going to present the phenomenons belonging to each type. Also the possible reasons and maintenance methods will be given.

 

Maintenance Methods for External Problems of Optical Modules

Apart from the faults of the components in the optical module, the problems might also be caused by improper operations during the use of fiber optic transceivers. They are mainly categorized into four types here.

 

Power light does not light:

 

Power supply fault. Check the power line or replace the power supply.

 

Link lights are not lit:

 

 Check whether the fiber lines are intact: loose connection between device interfaces and fiber jumpers, fiber jumpers and couplers, broken fiber.

 Check whether the fiber line loss is too large and exceed the loss budget of the transmitter/receiver pair used.

 Check whether the optical interfaces are connected properly, local TX and RX connection from afar, local RX and TX connection in the distance.

 Check whether the optical fiber patch cable is correct. Ensure that the connector type matches the device interface (APC/UPC/PC), the fiber type (MMF/SMF) matches the device type, and the supported transfer length matches the link distance.

The circuit link light does not light:

 

 Check whether network cable is the circuit breaker.

 Check whether the connection matches the type: devices such as computers use crossover cable. Switches, hubs and other equipment use straight line.

 Check whether the equipment transfer rate matches.

Serious network packet:

 

 The transceiver’s power port and the network device interface don’t match or device interface’s transmission mode (half-duplex/full-duplex) doesn’t match on both ends.

 RJ-45 head twisted issues.

 The fiber connectivity issues. Fiber jumper are not in alignment; couplers and jumpers don’t match.

Common Faults Caused by Incorrect Optical Module Installation

Among the external faults, some are generally caused by incorrect installation of the optical module.

 

Contamination

The most common source of contaminants in the optical bores is debris picked up on the ferrules of the optical connectors. So using cleaning tools, like an alcohol swab, pen cleaner or lint-free absorbent wipes, to clean the optical connector (both of the patch cable and the fiber transceiver receptacle) before is very necessary. Also if the optical connector is not inserted or pulled out horizontally, it might cause the ferrule in the ends of fiber patch cord to break in the transceiver’s port and make the module fault.

 

In addition, using shoddy or non-standard fiber optic patch cables will also damage the transceiver module. For example, using unpolished ferrule or damaged fiber optic connectors easily leads the transceiver to be contaminated.

 

Absence of Conductive Metal

In general, the conductive metal are of a normal and good quality optical module is glossy. But for transceivers that are frequently plugged in and out, or incorrectly used in non-standard device slots, the conductive pins will be worn out. For transceivers that is lack of conductive metal or whose pins are of serious aging, the transmission performance will be affected.

 

The Fiber Transceiver Module Is Not Plugged Tightly

When plugged into devices, fiber optic transceiver module must be tightly plugged and the bale clasp must be in place. Otherwise it will easily be interrupted or loosed when there are vibration and impact on the device.

 

Tips for Optical Module Installation

It might not be easy to avoid the internal faults of the optical module, but by following some tips, we can reduce the unnecessary faults that may be caused externally during the installation.

 

Careful Check Before Installation

 Check the conductive metal. A good transceiver module should look bright and neat.

 Check whether the bale clasp is intact.

 Check the transceiver port interface. Ensure there’s no obvious matters in it.

 Check whether the ferrule of the patch cord is damaged.