Low splice loss in fiber optic patch cords
You want low splice loss because signal loss can weaken communication and reliability. Many factors, like core mismatch and contamination, can increase splice loss. To be able to judge whether a fiber optic cable plant is good, one does a insertion loss test with a light source and power meter and compares that to an estimate of what is a reasonable loss for that cable plant. The estimate, called a "loss budget" is calculated using typical component losses for. Insertion loss is usually shortened to IL, and the unit of measurement for insertion loss is dBm.
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