Advanced Fibre Optics Fault Finding & Testing
The Advanced Fibre Optics Fault Finding & Testing course is a specialist practical programme for fibre engineers who want to develop advanced skills in fibre optic testing, commissioning and fault diagnosis.
Delegates work with optical light sources, power meters, optical loss test sets (OLTS), OTDRs and fibre inspection equipment, while learning link loss budgets, test calculations, trace analysis, end-face inspection, contamination control and structured fault finding.
The course combines technical theory with extensive hands-on testing and troubleshooting to build the competence needed to verify, diagnose and document fibre optic links in real network environments.
Develop advanced, job-ready skills in fibre optic testing, commissioning and fault finding. This specialist course is designed for fibre engineers and technicians who already understand fibre installation and want to progress into higher-level testing, verification, troubleshooting and network acceptance work.
Delegates use professional fibre optic test equipment including optical light sources, power meters, optical loss test sets (OLTS), OTDRs and fibre inspection equipment. Training covers insertion-loss testing, reference setting, OTDR setup and trace analysis, end-face inspection, cleanliness, fault location, link loss budgets and the calculations used to assess expected fibre performance.
The course places strong emphasis on choosing the correct test method, interpreting results accurately, identifying installation defects and comparing measured performance against expected limits. Delegates also develop the structured testing, documentation and diagnostic skills required for commissioning, maintenance and fault finding across telecommunications, broadband, data communications and enterprise fibre networks.
About this course:
This advanced fibre optic testing and fault-finding course is designed to give fibre engineers and technicians a comprehensive understanding of the test methods, equipment and calculations used to verify, commission and troubleshoot fibre optic links. The course combines technical theory with extensive hands-on practical work so delegates can develop confidence in selecting the correct test method, carrying out accurate measurements and interpreting results in real network environments.
Delegates work with a range of professional fibre optic test equipment, including optical light sources, optical power meters, optical loss test sets (OLTS) and optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs). Training covers optical loss measurement, insertion-loss testing, reference setting, launch and receive fibres, OTDR setup, trace analysis, event interpretation, reflectance, attenuation and fault location.
The course also develops the knowledge required to calculate and assess fibre link loss budgets, understand expected system performance and compare measured results against acceptance criteria. Delegates learn how connector losses, splice losses, fibre attenuation, wavelength and link length contribute to the overall optical budget and how these values are used when verifying installed fibre links.
Connector end-face inspection, cleaning and contamination control are also covered, helping delegates understand the importance of fibre cleanliness and correct inspection practices before testing. Fault-finding activities include identifying excessive loss, poor splices, contaminated or damaged connectors, fibre breaks, macro-bends and other causes of degraded network performance.
Throughout the course, delegates develop the structured testing and diagnostic skills expected of a professional fibre engineer, including equipment selection, test setup, result interpretation, troubleshooting, documentation, test records and network handover. Training is based around realistic fibre network scenarios and is relevant to telecommunications, broadband, data communications, enterprise networks and wider fibre optic infrastructure.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, delegates will have developed advanced knowledge and practical competence in fibre optic testing, measurement, commissioning and fault finding. The learning outcomes cover optical loss testing, OLTS, OTDR operation and trace analysis, connector inspection, link-loss budgets, test calculations, result interpretation and structured troubleshooting. Delegates will also understand how recognised fibre optic testing standards influence test methods, acceptance criteria, documentation and workmanship.
By the end of the course, delegates should be able to:
✓ Select the correct fibre optic test method for installation, commissioning and fault-finding activities
✓ Correctly use optical light sources and optical power meters
✓ Set references and carry out optical loss and insertion-loss testing
✓ Correctly use an Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS)
✓ Understand attenuation, optical power levels and expected fibre link performance
✓ Calculate fibre link-loss budgets using fibre attenuation, connector loss, splice loss and system margins
✓ Compare calculated loss budgets with measured test results
✓ Use live fibre identifiers correctly to identify and trace optical fibres
✓ Inspect fibre optic connector end faces using professional inspection equipment
✓ Apply connector inspection and cleanliness principles aligned with IEC 61300-3-35
✓ Identify contamination, scratches and defects that may affect fibre performance
✓ Clean fibre optic connectors correctly and understand contamination-control procedures
✓ Select appropriate test wavelengths for single-mode and multimode fibre systems
✓ Understand ITU fibre classifications and commonly used optical wavelength bands
✓ Correctly configure and operate an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR)
✓ Set OTDR parameters including wavelength, pulse width, range, averaging and index of refraction (IOR)
✓ Use launch and receive fibres correctly when carrying out OTDR testing
✓ Interpret OTDR traces and event tables accurately
✓ Identify reflective and non-reflective events on an OTDR trace
✓ Measure and interpret splice loss, connector loss, attenuation, reflectance and optical return loss
✓ Understand OTDR dead zones, dynamic range and measurement limitations
✓ Carry out bi-directional OTDR testing and understand why results may differ in each direction
✓ Identify fibre breaks, macro-bends, excessive losses, poor splices and contaminated or damaged connectors
✓ Apply structured fibre optic fault-finding and troubleshooting techniques
✓ Determine whether installed fibre links meet expected performance and acceptance criteria
✓ Understand recognised testing principles associated with IEC 61280 series standards for installed fibre cabling
✓ Produce accurate fibre test records, trace files and commissioning documentation
✓ Analyse test results and provide clear evidence for network acceptance, maintenance and handover
✓ Demonstrate advanced practical competence in fibre optic testing and fault diagnosis across realistic network scenarios
Suitable for:
This advanced course is designed for fibre engineers and technicians who already have practical installation experience and want to develop higher-level skills in fibre optic testing, commissioning, fault finding and network verification. It is particularly suitable for people who need to work confidently with professional test equipment, interpret complex test results and diagnose performance issues across telecommunications, broadband, data communications and enterprise fibre networks.
This course is suitable for:
✓ Fibre optic engineers who want to develop advanced testing and fault-finding skills
✓ Fibre installation engineers progressing into testing, commissioning and verification work
✓ Telecoms engineers working on fibre networks and optical infrastructure
✓ Network infrastructure engineers responsible for testing and acceptance of installed fibre links
✓ Fibre technicians who need to improve OTDR operation and trace interpretation skills
✓ Engineers who need practical experience with light sources, power meters and Optical Loss Test Sets (OLTS)
✓ Technicians responsible for fibre connector inspection, cleanliness and end-face quality
✓ Engineers who need to understand fibre link-loss budgets and optical performance calculations
✓ Installers who want to improve structured fibre fault-finding and troubleshooting skills
✓ Engineers working across telecoms, broadband, data communications and enterprise fibre networks
✓ Experienced fibre professionals who want to formalise or extend their advanced testing competence
✓ Corporate teams that require consistent fibre testing, commissioning and fault-diagnosis practices
Course modules:
The course is structured around a series of advanced theory and practical modules covering the complete fibre optic testing, verification and fault-finding process. Delegates work with professional fibre test equipment and learn how to select the correct test method, establish expected link performance, carry out accurate measurements, interpret results and diagnose faults in realistic fibre network environments.
✓ Fibre optic testing principles, terminology and measurement units
✓ Optical power, attenuation, insertion loss, reflectance and optical return loss
✓ Optical light source and power meter operation
✓ Reference setting and accurate optical loss measurement
✓ Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) operation and testing methods
✓ Single-mode and multimode fibre test wavelengths
✓ Fibre types, ITU classifications and commonly used optical bands
✓ Fibre link-loss budgets and expected link performance
✓ Calculating fibre attenuation, connector loss and splice loss
✓ Allowances, system margins and acceptance criteria
✓ Comparing calculated loss budgets with measured test results
✓ Live fibre identification and fibre tracing techniques
✓ Fibre connector end-face inspection using professional inspection equipment
✓ Connector cleanliness, contamination control and cleaning procedures
✓ Fibre inspection principles aligned with IEC 61300-3-35
✓ Identifying contamination, scratches and connector end-face defects
✓ OTDR operating principles and measurement fundamentals
✓ Correct OTDR setup and configuration
✓ Selection of wavelength, pulse width, range and averaging parameters
✓ Setting and understanding the Index of Refraction (IOR)
✓ Launch fibres and receive fibres and their correct use during OTDR testing
✓ OTDR dead zones, dynamic range and measurement limitations
✓ OTDR trace and event-table interpretation
✓ Identification of reflective and non-reflective events
✓ Measuring splice loss, connector loss, attenuation and reflectance
✓ Optical Return Loss (ORL) principles and interpretation
✓ Locating fibre breaks, macro-bends and other network faults
✓ In-depth OTDR trace analysis
✓ Bi-directional OTDR testing and result interpretation
✓ Understanding differences between traces tested from opposite directions
✓ Structured fibre optic fault-finding and troubleshooting techniques
✓ Identifying excessive loss, poor splices, damaged connectors and contaminated interfaces
✓ Verifying installed fibre links against expected performance requirements
✓ Fibre testing principles associated with recognised IEC 61280 series standards
✓ Test documentation, trace files, labelling and commissioning records
✓ Network acceptance, maintenance and handover documentation
✓ Practical testing and fault-finding exercises using realistic fibre network scenarios
✓ Preparation for the practical and knowledge-based assessments associated with the Level 3 qualification
Certification Information:
On successful completion of the course and required assessments, delegates achieve the Open Awards Level 3 Award in Advanced Fibre Optics Testing. The qualification recognises advanced practical competence in fibre optic testing, measurement, OTDR operation, trace analysis, fault finding, optical loss testing and associated testing practices.
The course combines practical and knowledge-based assessment activities designed to demonstrate that delegates can select appropriate test methods, use professional fibre optic test equipment, interpret results accurately and apply structured fault-finding techniques in realistic network environments.
Entry Requirements
This is an advanced course and is not intended as an introduction to fibre optics. Delegates should already be competent in the basic principles and practical skills of fibre optic installation, including cable preparation, termination, connectorisation and fusion splicing, before attending.
Delegates should also have a working understanding of fibre optic transmission, single-mode and multimode fibre, connectors, splices, attenuation and basic optical loss. Previous practical experience working with installed fibre networks is strongly recommended.
Suitable preparation may include completion of a recognised Level 2 or Level 3 fibre optic installation course, an equivalent industry qualification, or demonstrable practical experience as a fibre optic installer or engineer. Delegates do not need previous advanced OTDR or OLTS experience, as the course develops these testing, analysis and fault-finding skills during the training.
Career Progression:
Completing this advanced fibre optic testing and fault-finding course can support progression into higher-level technical roles involving fibre testing, commissioning, network acceptance, maintenance and troubleshooting. The course is particularly relevant to engineers who want to move beyond installation work and take greater responsibility for verifying fibre performance, analysing faults and producing accurate test evidence for handover and maintenance activities.
Typical progression routes include roles such as Advanced Fibre Testing Engineer, Fibre Commissioning Engineer, Fibre Fault-Finding Engineer, Network Acceptance Engineer, Fibre Infrastructure Engineer and Senior Fibre Technician.
The course also provides a strong foundation for further specialist development through training such as Fibre Optic Planning and Design, Air Blown Fibre and Blown Cable Technology, external fibre and outside plant infrastructure, and advanced optical testing including chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) testing.
For experienced fibre engineers, the course can help formalise and extend existing testing knowledge while supporting progression into more senior technical, supervisory and network assurance responsibilities.
Price:
Individual: £950.00 + VAT (Corporate: £POA)
Duration:
4 Days.
Course Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of fibre optic testing equipment will I use?
During the course, delegates work with professional fibre optic test equipment from leading manufacturers including EXFO, VIAVI, Softing and Fluke.
Depending on the testing activity, equipment can include Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), optical light sources, optical power meters, Optical Loss Test Sets (OLTS), fibre inspection equipment, live fibre identifiers and other professional tools used for fibre verification, commissioning and fault diagnosis.
Delegates learn how to select the correct test method, configure equipment correctly, take accurate measurements, interpret results and identify issues such as excessive loss, poor splices, contaminated connectors, fibre bends and other network faults.
What is the difference between OLTS testing and OTDR testing?
OLTS testing measures the total insertion loss of a fibre link using a light source and power meter, helping engineers confirm whether the installed link meets its expected loss budget.
OTDR testing provides a detailed trace of the fibre and can identify the location and characteristics of events such as connectors, splices, bends, reflective faults and fibre breaks.
The course explains when each test method should be used and why both are important when verifying, commissioning and troubleshooting fibre optic networks.
Will I learn how to use light sources and power meters?
Yes. Delegates learn how to use optical light sources and optical power meters correctly, including reference setting, optical power measurement and insertion-loss testing.
The course also covers how these measurements relate to expected fibre link performance and how to compare measured results against calculated link-loss budgets.
Does the course cover fibre link-loss budgets and calculations?
Yes. Delegates learn how to calculate fibre link-loss budgets using fibre attenuation, connector losses, splice losses, fibre length and appropriate system margins.
You will also learn how to compare calculated values with measured test results to determine whether an installed fibre link is performing within expected limits and whether further investigation is required.
Does the course cover fibre connector inspection and cleaning?
Yes. Fibre connector end-face inspection, cleanliness and contamination control are important parts of the course.
Delegates learn how to inspect connector end faces using professional inspection equipment, identify contamination or damage, clean fibre interfaces correctly and understand why connector cleanliness is essential for accurate testing and reliable network performance.
Does the course cover IEC 61300-3-35?
Yes. The course includes fibre connector inspection and cleanliness principles aligned with IEC 61300-3-35.
Delegates learn how recognised inspection criteria are used to assess connector end-face condition and why contamination, scratches and other defects can affect optical performance and test results.
Will I learn how to set up and use an OTDR?
Yes. Delegates develop practical skills in OTDR setup and operation, including wavelength selection, pulse width, range, averaging and Index of Refraction (IOR).
The course also covers the correct use of launch and receive fibres, OTDR dead zones, dynamic range and other factors that influence trace quality and measurement accuracy.
Will I learn how to interpret OTDR traces?
Yes. OTDR trace interpretation is a major part of the course.
Delegates learn how to identify reflective and non-reflective events, analyse splice loss, connector loss, attenuation, reflectance and optical return loss, and locate faults such as fibre breaks, macro-bends and poor splices.
The course also includes in-depth trace analysis and bi-directional OTDR testing.
What fibre faults will I learn to identify?
The practical fault-finding exercises cover common fibre network problems such as excessive optical loss, poor splices, contaminated or damaged connectors, fibre breaks, macro-bends and other installation defects.
Delegates learn how to use structured troubleshooting methods to identify the likely cause of a problem, locate the fault and determine what corrective action is required.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
No. This is an advanced fibre optic testing and fault-finding course.
Delegates should already understand fibre optic installation, termination, connectorisation and fusion splicing before attending. Previous practical experience working with fibre optic networks is strongly recommended.
However, delegates do not need previous advanced OTDR or OLTS experience, as these testing and analysis skills are developed during the course.
What qualification will I receive?
On successful completion of the course and required assessments, delegates achieve the Open Awards Level 3 Award in Advanced Fibre Optics Testing.
The qualification recognises advanced practical competence in fibre optic testing, measurement, OTDR operation, trace analysis, fault finding, optical loss testing and associated testing practices.
Does this course qualify me for an ECS Network Infrastructure Installer card?
No. This Advanced Fibre Optics Testing qualification is not the specific Open Awards Level 3 qualification listed as the qualification route for the ECS Network Infrastructure Installer Fibre card.
The ECS-recognised fibre route is the Open Awards Level 3 Award in Fibre Optics Installation and Testing.
This advanced course is intended as specialist progression for fibre engineers who want to develop higher-level testing, commissioning and fault-finding skills.
Who is this course suitable for?
The course is suitable for experienced fibre optic engineers, fibre installation technicians, telecoms engineers and network infrastructure professionals who want to develop advanced skills in testing, commissioning, OTDR analysis, OLTS testing and structured fault finding.
It is also suitable for corporate engineering teams that need consistent fibre testing, verification and network acceptance practices.
What industries use advanced fibre testing and fault-finding skills?
These skills are used across telecommunications, broadband, enterprise networks, data centres, utilities, transport infrastructure, industrial networks and wider fibre optic infrastructure projects.
Where does the training take place?
Training is delivered at our specialist fibre optic training centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates work with professional fibre optic test equipment from manufacturers such as EXFO, VIAVI, Softing and Fluke in practical environments designed to reflect real network testing and fault-finding scenarios.
Can this course be delivered for corporate groups?
Yes. In addition to training at our centre in Crewe, the course can be delivered for corporate groups at client sites.
Corporate training can be arranged across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, subject to requirements and availability.
How long is the course?
The Advanced Fibre Optics Fault Finding & Testing course runs over four days and combines technical theory with extensive hands-on practical testing, analysis and fault-finding exercises.