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What is the acceptable db loss for multimode fiber connetions using leviton thread lock connectors? I can't find a spec from Leviton. I have had a link and passed data with readings as high as -15db, although we never leave it that high. Is there a tester out there that says pass or fail like a cat 5 tester?

I don't think there is. You would need to know what your DB loss budget is for your specific application and hardware, and then use a power meter to test loss end to end.

I found a fluke meter that will give a pass or fail. It is their certifiber tester. And it can be yours for a measly $3500

That's the thing about fiber...no part of it is cheap!

well that nortel fiber job i did for a 3pr fiber multimode 300ft wich i ran then a fiber splicer with a fiber ohmtdr did the connections and testing cost me a $1000.00 and that was going thru 2 companies wich i am sure they both took a little piece of the pie this guy came in he even had a little type oven to melt the epoxy in the connectors was a true class act i am sure if i would find fiber distributors and so on i could of got it done cheaper but i dont run fiber every week my client accepted my cote all is happy

I quit doing fiber because the competition here didn't pay for the equipment! But installing fiber does take a bit more care and knowing what to use for the type of "application". But "Acceptable db loss for multimode fiber connetions using leviton thread lock connectors". They were designed to be fast and easy relying on using their cleaver. So if the application is just a basic extension beyond 300 meters your acceptable loss depends on the clients application and what they want to spend. Many of the testers are defined by what you set for a pass and -15db is a bit high, but if it's a thread lock?

If you got a -15 that makes me think that your reference point on your tester is not correct, because I don't think you should be getting a negitive #. It all depends on how many connection points you have in the run, but I usually shoot for a 3db loss.

You will always get a negative # on your readings. You shoot for a 3db loss that is -3db because you lost some of you info going back and forth through the fiber.

I can say that I have never got a negitive # for a db loss. My tester(Fluke DSP 4000)gives you the amount of db loss which is a positive #. I don't know how you can get a negitive db loss, it seems impossible to get a negitive loss.

I maybe missing something, can anyone explain it to me? :confused:

My guess is it depends on the tester that you are using as to whether it displays negative or positive. Maybee the one that diplays negative (-3) , is saying that it is recieving 3 db less than when calibrated and the one that says 3db loss is saying the loss is 3db. Regardless, it is still a fiber link with 3db loss.
I believe our Microtest units show a negative but I'm not positive.