Fiber Optics - Service Tests
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The first thing advisable when getting onsite, and there is trouble with any of the units, is to do a
Service Test from the master if possible. NOTE: This can only be performed on a 3.0 system.

If there is trouble with the Fiber Optics in a store...check to see if a little 4 legged bugger [mice!] has
chewed his way through the cable. He *loves* the casing for some reason. : (

On 3.0 firmware versions, a SERVICE REPORT is now available on the master and backup master. This
report,report 82 can be printed in either X or Z mode. To print the report, enter 82 - SUBTL- CASH/TEND.

This will tell you 2 really important things. Whether the registers are communicating, and what the register
numbers THINK they are according to the machine table. The report shows the following:

BM OFF/DOWN.....................---Indicates the backup master has
X82 SERVICE REPORT.................been off/down.
***************************
BM OFF/DOWN.....................---The BM has been off/down.
DATE 03/22/93.................---Last date the BM was off/down.
TIME 14:50.....................---Last time the BM was off/down.
M & BM TOTAL:.................---Compare Master & BM totals and
DISCREPANCY !..........................print DISCREPANCY or GOOD.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THIS IS A :............................--Indicates whether this master has
24 HR STORE..............................a 24 Hr board installed or not.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NEXT DAY MEMORY: --If a 24 Hr store, indicate whether
NOT IN USE !..............................the NEXT DAY memory is in use.

ECR# 01 T ECR# 02 N......--Indicate which satellites are on
ECR# 03 T ECR# 30 T.............Today or Next day memory.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SYSTEM LOOP TEST :..........--Indicates whether the master can
FAILURE !......................................poll in ONE or BOTH directions.

LEFT-LOOP : RIGHT-LOOP:.....--Tests fiber optic loop in both
ECR# 01 OK ECR# 01 OK.............directions. Indicates which ECR's
ECR# 02 OK ECR# 02 OK.............respond to master's polling.
ECR# 03 OK ECR# 03 NG...............LEFT-RIGHT loop as viewed
ECR# 30 OK ECR# 30 NG..............from the rear of the master
(FO interface).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MASTER TIME:.....................---Indicates the time and date setting
DATE 03/22/93...........................of the master board's time clock.
TIME 17:55
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MV5.41.....................................--Current master firmware version.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE: The above is an example of a master report. The report may also be printed on the backup master
but the fiber optic loop test will not be included.
Also the BM OFF/DOWN time and date will indicate when
the BM came back up.

Assembling Fiber Optic Connectors


1. Separate the leading end of the 2 conductor optical fiber cable into 2 strips and pull them apart.
The length of separation should be 4 inches.

2. Slide the cord bush over the cable.

3. Strip off 1/2 inch of the sheath on both conductors. Use the 18 AWG cut size on the stripping tool to
avoid nicking the light conducting core. The difference in sheath length after stripping, should not
exceed 1/64". Also insert the springs over the cable at this time.

4. Slide a ferrule onto the cable and crimp each ferrule as shown. Use the large hole in the crimping tool.

5. Firmly support the ferrule and carefully slice through the plastic fiber with a sharp single edge razor
blade. Allow just enough plastic fiber to protrude for polishing.

6. Using a flat surface (flat checkstand surface is ok) polish the end of the cable by rotating, in small
circles on the polishing paper. Water may be used when polishing (wet sand).The darker grey
(coarse) paper should be used first to remove excess material and deep scratches. As the surface
improves, use the light grey (fine) paper to finely polish the core end (lens).

IMPORTANT: The connector/ferrule must be kept as perpendicular as possible to the flat surface.

7. Inspect the end of the cable frequently while polishing by using the 25X loupe. When finished, the
core should be flush with the ferrule tip and any surface blemishes should be minimal.

NOTE: Stop polishing once the core is flush with the ferrule tip. Any further polishing may remove
metal particles from the ferrule and scratch the plastic. If scratched, the connection may have
to be redone.

8. Assemble the connector. Important: The ferrule location in the connector must be opposite from
the other end of the cable (flopped) so the relationship of transmitters to receivers is correct.

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