NOVKER NK281 and Optical Power Meter: Complete Fibre Loss Test Kit Malaysia

Buying a stable light source alone does not provide a complete fibre-loss measurement solution.

The NOVKER NK281 Stable Light Source generates the optical signal, while an optical power meter measures the signal received at the opposite end. The two instruments work together to determine the total insertion loss of a fibre optic link.

For FTTH installers, network contractors and maintenance teams, purchasing both instruments as a properly matched test kit is usually more practical than buying them separately.

What Is Included in a Fibre Loss Test Kit?

A practical fibre-loss test kit should contain:

NOVKER NK281 Stable Light Source
Compatible optical power meter
Reference fibre patch cords
Suitable optical adaptors
Fibre connector cleaning tools
Charging accessories or batteries
Protective carrying case

Optional additions may include:

Visual Fault Locator
Fibre identifier
Fibre inspection microscope
PON optical power meter
OTDR
Replacement patch cords
SC/UPC and SC/APC accessories

The exact contents should match the customer’s fibre type and testing application.

How the NK281 and Power Meter Work Together

The testing process uses two ends of the fibre link.

At the transmitting end:

The NK281 generates a stable optical signal.
The technician selects the required wavelength.
The signal enters the fibre through a clean reference patch cord.

At the receiving end:

The optical power meter receives the signal.
The meter is set to the same wavelength.
The displayed result is compared with the established reference.

The difference between the reference reading and the received reading represents the total link loss in dB.

Example of a Fibre-Loss Measurement

Assume the reference optical power is:

−5.00dBm

After connecting the installed fibre link, the power meter displays:

−7.50dBm

The measured link loss is:

−5.00dBm − (−7.50dBm) = 2.50dB

The technician then compares the 2.50dB result with the calculated loss budget or project acceptance limit.

The measurement may include losses from:

Fibre length
Connectors
Adaptors
Splices
Patch panels
Passive optical components
Cable bending

Why Matching Wavelengths Matter

The NK281 and optical power meter must operate at the same wavelength.

For example:

NK281 output	Optical power meter
850nm	Set to 850nm
1300nm	Set to 1300nm
1310nm	Set to 1310nm
1550nm	Set to 1550nm

If the NK281 transmits at 1310nm while the power meter is set to 1550nm, the displayed value may be inaccurate.

The selected wavelength must also suit the fibre type.

Recommended Kit for Single-Mode Fibre

A practical single-mode test kit may include:

NK281 with 1310/1550nm output
Optical power meter supporting 1310nm and 1550nm
Single-mode reference patch cords
SC/UPC or SC/APC adaptors
Fibre cleaning tools
Visual Fault Locator

This configuration is suitable for:

FTTH links
Telecom networks
Building backbones
Campus networks
Factory fibre connections
CCTV fibre transmission
Longer-distance point-to-point fibre

Testing at both 1310nm and 1550nm provides better information than testing at only one wavelength.

Recommended Kit for Multimode Fibre

For multimode fibre, the light source should provide:

850nm
1300nm

The kit should also include:

A compatible multimode optical power meter
Appropriate multimode reference patch cords
Suitable connector adaptors
Cleaning equipment

Multimode testing may require controlled launch conditions, especially when the work involves formal certification or high-performance data centre cabling.

Confirm the applicable project standard before offering the NK281 as a certification solution.

Why Reference Patch Cords Are Important

The reference patch cords form part of the measurement system. Low-quality or damaged patch cords can create inconsistent readings.

Suitable test cords should be:

Correct for the fibre type
Compatible with the instrument connectors
Clean and undamaged
Clearly labelled
Stored in a protective container
Reserved for testing work

A single-mode patch cord should not be substituted for a multimode reference cord without confirming the test method.

The connector polish must also match the application.

SC/UPC vs SC/APC

SC connectors may use UPC or APC polishing.

Typical identification:

SC/UPC: Blue
SC/APC: Green

APC connectors have an angled end face. UPC connectors have a different polish geometry.

Directly mating APC and UPC connectors can produce excessive loss and reflection. It may also damage the connector surfaces.

The kit should contain the correct patch cords and adaptors for the installed network.

Why Connector Cleaning Tools Should Be Included

A fibre test kit is incomplete without connector-cleaning equipment.

Contamination can cause:

Higher insertion loss
Unstable readings
Increased reflectance
Intermittent network performance
Contamination of the test-equipment port
Permanent connector damage

Recommended cleaning accessories include:

One-click fibre cleaner
Fibre cleaning sticks
Lint-free wipes
Approved fibre cleaning fluid
Protective dust caps

Clean connectors before establishing the reference and before testing each fibre link.

NK281 RJ45 Testing Advantage

The NK281 also provides basic RJ45 network-cable testing functions.

Depending on the selected version, technicians may use it to check:

Wire sequence
Open circuits
Short circuits
Network-cable length

This is useful for contractors who install a fibre backbone and then connect equipment through copper Ethernet cables.

Typical users include:

FTTH technicians
CCTV installers
Network contractors
Server-room technicians
Building maintenance teams
Factory IT departments

However, basic RJ45 checks do not replace a professional Cat 6 or Cat 6A cable certifier.

Should a VFL Be Added?

A Visual Fault Locator is a useful low-cost addition to the test kit.

It sends visible red light through the fibre and may help technicians:

Identify a fibre core
Check short-distance continuity
Find visible breaks
Detect severe bends
Verify patch-panel routing
Inspect poor mechanical connections

A VFL does not measure insertion loss and cannot replace the NK281 and optical power meter.

Each instrument performs a different function.

Should an OTDR Be Added?

An OTDR should be considered when the customer needs:

Distance to a cable break
Location of a poor splice
Individual event loss
Fibre length
Connector reflectance
Graphical trace documentation
Testing from one end

The complete professional combination is:

NK281 for stable optical output
Optical power meter for received-power measurement
OTDR for event location and trace analysis
VFL for visible fault checking
Fibre identifier for active-fibre identification

Smaller contractors can begin with the NK281, power meter and VFL, then add an OTDR as their project requirements grow.

Standard Power Meter or PON Power Meter?

A standard optical power meter measures optical power at a selected wavelength.

A PON optical power meter is designed to separate and measure specific upstream and downstream wavelengths on a live PON network.

Choose according to the application:

Standard optical power meter

Controlled loss testing
Point-to-point fibre
Passive link measurement
General installation work

PON optical power meter

Live FTTH/PON networks
Separate upstream and downstream readings
PON commissioning and troubleshooting
Network-service verification

A standard NK281 loss-test kit should not automatically be described as a complete live-PON testing solution.

Who Should Buy the Complete Kit?

The NK281 and optical power meter combination is suitable for:

Fibre optic contractors
FTTH installers
Telecom subcontractors
CCTV and network companies
Data centre maintenance teams
Factory IT departments
Building management companies
Technical training centres
Fibre installation service providers

The complete kit is particularly suitable for companies that need a practical and affordable end-to-end loss-measurement solution.

Information Needed for a Quotation

To configure the correct kit, provide:

Single-mode or multimode fibre
Required wavelengths
SC, FC, ST or LC connections
UPC or APC polish
Light source only or complete kit
Standard or PON power meter
Required reference patch cords
Need for VFL, fibre identifier or OTDR
Main application
Required test documentation

This prevents mismatched wavelengths and missing accessories.

Recommended MTM Precision Package

For general single-mode FTTH and network work, MTM Precision recommends starting with:

NOVKER NK281 1310/1550nm Stable Light Source
Compatible NOVKER Optical Power Meter
Suitable SC connection accessories
Two reference patch cords
Fibre connector cleaner
Visual Fault Locator
Protective carrying case

The final contents can be adjusted for the customer’s connector type and project requirements.

Contact MTM Precision

MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.

Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com