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The 500m OTDR Launch Cable Box is a compact, field-ready fiber optic launch cable assembly containing 500 meters of G652D singlemode fiber wound inside a ruggedized, IP54-rated hard-shell case. It connects between the OTDR and the fiber link under test to eliminate the OTDR’s near-end dead zone, enabling accurate measurement of insertion loss and reflectance at the first connector of the link — measurements that would otherwise be masked by the OTDR’s launch pulse recovery time.
Available with SC, FC, LC, and ST connectors in both UPC and APC polish, the 500m launch cable box is the most compact and lightweight option in the OTDR launch cable range — ideal for FTTH drop fiber testing, short-range singlemode fiber characterization, and field technicians who need a portable dead zone eliminator for OTDRs operating at short pulse widths.
Every OTDR has a dead zone at the beginning of a trace — a blind region caused by the recovery time of the OTDR’s receiver after the high-power launch pulse. During this dead zone, the OTDR cannot accurately measure events (connectors, splices, faults) on the fiber. The dead zone has two components:
A 500m launch cable is sufficient for OTDRs operating at short pulse widths (<100ns), where the attenuation dead zone is typically less than 50–100 meters. This covers most modern handheld OTDRs used for FTTH drop fiber testing and short-range singlemode fiber characterization. For OTDRs using medium pulse widths (100ns–500ns) for longer fiber links, a 1000m launch cable is recommended. For long-haul testing with long pulse widths (>1µs), a 2000m launch cable is required.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fiber Type | G652D (ITU-T G652.D singlemode) |
| Fiber Length | 500m |
| Lead Length | 2 meters, 3mm buffer |
| Typical Loss | <0.5dB @ 1310nm (500m total) |
| Connector Types | SC, FC, LC, ST |
| Polish Types | UPC, APC, PC |
| Return Loss (UPC) | ≥50dB |
| Return Loss (APC) | ≥60dB |
| Return Loss (PC) | ≥35dB |
| Repeatability | ≤0.2dB (1,000 mating cycles) |
| Exchangeability | ≤0.2dB |
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Case Dimensions | 238mm × 141mm × 67mm |
| Case Material | SR Polypropylene |
| Case Color | Yellow |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Weight (without fiber) | 0.75kg |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Humidity | 0 to 95%, non-condensing |
| Launch Cable Length | Recommended Use Case | Dead Zone Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 500m (this listing) | FTTH drop fiber testing, short-range singlemode testing, OTDRs with short pulse widths (<100ns) | Covers EDZ and ADZ for most modern OTDRs at short pulse widths |
| 1000m | Standard FTTH feeder and distribution fiber testing, telecom OSP acceptance testing, medium pulse widths (100ns–500ns) | Covers ADZ for most OTDRs at medium pulse widths |
| 2000m | Long-haul testing, OTDRs with long pulse widths (>1µs), maximum dead zone coverage | Covers ADZ for all OTDRs including those with long pulse widths |
We also stock 1000m and 2000m OTDR launch cable boxes in the same connector configurations — see our related listings.
Q: What is an OTDR launch cable box?
A: An OTDR launch cable box is a fiber optic cable assembly — typically 500m to 2000m of singlemode fiber wound in a protective case — connected between the OTDR and the fiber link under test. It pushes the OTDR’s dead zone away from the beginning of the link, allowing accurate measurement of the near-end connector and events close to the launch end of the fiber.
Q: Is 500m enough for my OTDR testing?
A: A 500m launch cable is sufficient for OTDRs operating at short pulse widths (<100ns), where the attenuation dead zone is typically less than 50–100 meters. This covers most modern handheld OTDRs used for FTTH drop fiber testing. If your OTDR uses medium pulse widths (100ns–500ns) for longer fiber links, a 1000m launch cable is recommended. For long-haul testing with long pulse widths (>1µs), use a 2000m launch cable.
Q: What connector type and polish should I choose?
A: Choose the connector type (SC, FC, LC, or ST) that matches your OTDR’s optical port and the fiber link under test. Choose APC (green connector, 8° angled) if your OTDR port or fiber link uses APC connectors — common in FTTH and PON networks. Choose UPC (blue connector) for standard telecom and enterprise fiber applications. APC and UPC connectors are not interchangeable.
Q: Does the launch cable fiber type need to match the fiber under test?
A: Yes. The fiber type (singlemode/multimode), core size, and modal field diameter (MFD) of the launch cable must match the fiber under test to ensure measurement accuracy. This launch cable uses G652D singlemode fiber and is compatible with all standard singlemode OTDRs and singlemode fiber links.
Q: Can I use this launch cable box as a receive cable?
A: Yes. The launch cable box can be used as both a launch cable (connected at the near end of the OTDR) and a receive cable (connected at the far end of the fiber link) for bidirectional OTDR testing required by IEC 61280-4-1 and TIA-568.
Q: Is the case waterproof?
A: The case is IP54 rated for water and dust resistance, suitable for indoor and outdoor use across a wide temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). It features an auto-purge valve to prevent pressure buildup during temperature changes.
Q: What fiber lengths are available?
A: We stock 500m (this listing), 1000m, and 2000m OTDR launch cable boxes in the same connector configurations (SC/FC/LC/ST, UPC/APC). Custom lengths from 100m to 2200m are also available — contact us for custom orders.
Q: For support or bulk orders?
A: Contact us at info@cpostore.com for B2B pricing, volume orders, or technical support.