EXFO Inc. has announced the addition of the FIP-430B Fully Automated Fiber Inspection Probe to its portfolio of portable fiber-optic test equipment.

One-step process – 100 per cent automated

Built to simplify and speed up connector certification, the FIP-430B integrates advanced automated features, such as a high-performance, fiber image-centering system and onboard connector-end-face pass/fail analysis based on IEC or custom standards to deliver accurate and consistent connector certification in seconds. The probe's image centering function is capable of achieving time savings of up to 57 per cent, and the unique, automatic focus adjustment feature provides the critical missing link enabling the process to be 100 per cent automated.

Not only is the image always captured with optimised quality, the focus protection feature prevents image capture in the event of improper focus adjustment, thus ensuring that no defects or residues affecting performance can be ignored by the analysis.

Users simply connect the FIP-430B to the connector port, following which the probe will automatically detect the connection, find and center the fiber image, adjust and optimise the focus and capture, run the pass/fail analysis, and even save and report the results. The whole process takes just slightly longer than cleaning a connector port, making it difficult to justify overlooking this critical step.

This new FIP-430B USB inspection probe is compatible with any PC or laptop, the entire fleet of EXFO's FTB Ecosystem platforms, and the newly launched MaxTester 700B OTDR Series.