Which cable is used to connect to a power meter?

The connection to a power meter is typically made using a receive cable. This cable is designed to facilitate the measurement of optical power within a fiber optic system by connecting the fiber under test to the power meter. The role of the receive cable is essential, as it allows the power meter to accurately assess the signal strength and quality of the light being transmitted through the fiber.

In practice, receive cables are commonly single-mode or multi-mode fibers with connectors that match both the meter and the fiber infrastructure being tested. This compatibility is crucial for obtaining precise measurements, which are necessary for assessing performance levels and ensuring that the system operates within specified parameters.

The other cables listed, while potentially useful in different contexts of fiber optic testing and installation, serve different purposes. Visual fault locators are primarily for identifying faults or breaks in fiber cables rather than for measurement purposes. Launch cables are used to set up a controlled launch of light into a fiber to study its performance or to measure losses, but they do not directly connect to a power meter. Test cables may serve as general-purpose connectors but typically don’t denote a specific function like the receive cable does in the context of connecting to a power meter.