摘要 |
A fiber identifer for detecting the presence or absence of an active data signal or a test signal in an optical fiber. The instrument includes a piston (46) which positions a portion of the fiber under test against an optical detector (42), the piston being located within a housing (50), and the housing being attached to a drive rod (52). The rod is responsive to a levered actuation mechanism (60), but a damper controls the movement rate of the rod, and hence the piston, to slowly bend the fiber, minimizing disruption of any signal flowing through the fiber and preventing undue mechanical stress which could damage the fiber. A precision spring (68) within the housing is used to limit the pressure applied by the piston against the optical fiber. The housing includes a novel arrangement of electrical contacts to sense the position of the piston and, indirectly, the position of the rod. <IMAGE> |