AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 1310/1490/1550 nm OTDR

AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 1310/1490/1550 nm OTDR

The AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 OTDR is a compact, professional fiber optic test platform designed for comprehensive out-of-service testing of FTTx PON and point-to-point single-mode networks. It combines a three-wavelength Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer, optical laser source, optical power meter and visual fault locator in a rugged handheld instrument weighing approximately 0.8 kg.

The FLX380-302 performs OTDR testing at 1310, 1490 and 1550 nm, covering the primary wavelengths used to evaluate FTTx PON infrastructure during construction and before service activation. Its optical configuration provides dynamic ranges of 41 dB at 1310 nm, 38 dB at 1490 nm and 41 dB at 1550 nm. The instrument supports test ranges from 250 metres to 240 kilometres and can test through compatible optical splitters in PON networks.

Unlike the filtered FLX380-303 and FLX380-304 live-PON models, the FLX380-302 is intended for testing dark or out-of-service fibers. Its ServiceSafe™ function detects live traffic and prevents potentially service-disrupting 1310 or 1550 nm OTDR measurements from being started on an active PON.

Features and Benefits of the AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 OTDR

• Three-wavelength OTDR testing at 1310, 1490 and 1550 nm.
• Designed for out-of-service FTTx PON and point-to-point fiber testing.
• 41/38/41 dB dynamic range at 1310/1490/1550 nm.
• Supports test ranges from 250 m to 240 km.
• Tests through compatible splitters in PON networks.
• 0.8 m event dead zone for closely spaced reflective events.
• 2.5 m attenuation dead zone for detailed event analysis.
• 30 m specified PON dead zone.
• ServiceSafe™ detects live traffic and helps prevent service disruption.
• Integrated optical laser source with Wave ID and tone generation.
• Integrated optical power meter with Wave ID and tone detection.
• Integrated 650 nm visual fault locator.
• Detects optical splitters and macrobends.
• Launch-quality checking supports more reliable OTDR measurements.
• Stores more than 1,000 OTDR traces in 4 GB of internal memory.
• Transfers results using USB or Bluetooth® wireless connectivity.
• Supports Telcordia SR-4731 Issue 2 SOR trace files.
• High-contrast 3.5-inch colour display remains readable in bright conditions.
• Instant-on operation prepares the instrument for testing in less than five seconds.
• Provides more than 12 hours of continuous field operation per charge.
• Rugged handheld construction weighs less than 1 kg.

1310/1490/1550 nm FTTx PON Testing

The AFL Noyes FLX380-302 adds 1490 nm capability to the standard 1310 and 1550 nm OTDR wavelengths. This three-wavelength configuration supports complete out-of-service testing at the common FTTx PON wavelengths used during network construction and acceptance.

Technicians can use the FLX380-302 to verify end-to-end fiber length, loss and optical return loss. The instrument can measure the loss and reflectance of splices, connectors and compatible optical splitters while helping identify the source of excessive attenuation or reflection.

The OTDR includes dedicated PON modes for testing to a splitter or through a splitter. Standard OTDR operating modes include Full Auto, Expert and Real Time, allowing technicians to select an operating method suited to routine certification or detailed fiber analysis.

High Dynamic Range and Short Dead Zones

The FLX380-302 provides a 41 dB dynamic range at 1310 nm, 38 dB at 1490 nm and 41 dB at 1550 nm. This performance supports testing across long single-mode links and through compatible splitter configurations.

A typical event dead zone of 0.8 m helps distinguish closely spaced reflective events. The specified attenuation dead zone is 2.5 m, while the PON dead zone is 30 m under the defined test conditions. These characteristics help technicians evaluate network elements positioned near reflective events and optical splitters.

Selectable pulse widths include 5, 10, 30, 100 and 300 ns, as well as 1, 3, 10 and 20 µs. Range settings extend from 250 m to 240 km, with up to 30,000 measurement points available for detailed trace acquisition.

ServiceSafe™ Live Traffic Detection

Attempting an OTDR test at 1310 or 1550 nm on an active PON can interfere with service to connected subscribers. AFL’s ServiceSafe™ function checks for live traffic and prevents the FLX380-302 from initiating a potentially disruptive 1310 or 1550 nm OTDR measurement when an active network is detected.

This protection is particularly useful when technicians are troubleshooting an unknown fiber or working near service-ready PON infrastructure. The FLX380-302 does not include the filtered 1625 or 1650 nm live-PON OTDR functionality found in other FlexTester3 configurations. Live-PON troubleshooting requiring an out-of-band test wavelength should use the appropriate filtered model.

Integrated Optical Power Meter with Wave ID

The integrated optical power meter is calibrated at 1310, 1490, 1550, 1625 and 1650 nm. It uses an InGaAs detector and provides a measurement range from +23 to -50 dBm with 0.01 dB resolution. Measurements can be displayed in dB, dBm or watts.

AFL’s Wave ID function automatically identifies compatible single-wavelength or multi-wavelength signals sent by another AFL Noyes light source. The power meter detects the transmitted wavelengths and measures optical power or loss without requiring the receiving technician to manually coordinate wavelength settings.

Wave ID can reduce test time and help eliminate configuration errors during multi-wavelength insertion-loss testing. The power meter also detects compatible fiber-identification tones, assisting technicians with positive fiber identification before disconnecting a link.

Integrated Three-Wavelength Optical Laser Source

The FLX380-302 includes an optical laser source at 1310, 1490 and 1550 nm. The source provides continuous-wave output, Wave ID transmission and modulated fiber-identification tones at 270 Hz, 330 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz.

The nominal source output is -1 dBm with a specified tolerance of ±1.5 dB. Output stability is specified at ±0.2 dB over eight hours. The optical laser source can be used with compatible AFL Noyes optical power meters for end-to-end insertion-loss testing.

Integrated Visual Fault Locator

The built-in visual fault locator provides visible red output at 650 nm ±20 nm. It delivers approximately 0.8 mW into single-mode fiber and supports continuous-wave or 2 Hz flashing modes.

The visual fault locator can help trace fibers and locate certain breaks, excessive bends or connection problems in accessible cable sections. Actual visibility depends on cable construction, ambient lighting and the type and location of the fault.

OTDR Result Storage and TRM 2.0 Reporting

The FLX380-302 contains 4 GB of internal memory and can store more than 1,000 OTDR results in Telcordia SR-4731 Issue 2 SOR format. Stored OTDR and optical power meter measurements can be transferred to a computer through a USB cable or Bluetooth® wireless connection.

TRM® 2.0 Basic Test Results Manager software is included for viewing and analysing OTDR and OPM results. The software supports professional report generation with customized cover pages, company logos, dual-wavelength traces, event tables, event maps and fiber-loss results.

TRM 2.0 also supports OTDR trace comparison, event editing and advanced event analysis. An optional TRM 2.0 Advanced upgrade adds bidirectional trace averaging for applications requiring more detailed acceptance documentation.

Portable Field Operation

The AFL Noyes FLX380-302 measures approximately 20.1 × 13 × 5.3 cm in its protective boot and weighs approximately 0.8 kg. Its high-contrast 3.5-inch colour LCD uses a transflective display with backlighting and an anti-reflective coating for improved readability in indoor and outdoor environments.

The rechargeable replaceable lithium-ion battery provides approximately 13.5 hours of operation under Telcordia test conditions or approximately 12.5 hours with the backlight on during continuous testing. Instant-on operation makes the tester ready for use in less than five seconds.

AFL Noyes FLX380-302 Applications

• Out-of-service FTTx PON construction testing
• Point-to-point single-mode fiber installation testing
• Fiber-link acceptance and certification
• Testing to and through compatible PON splitters
• End-to-end length, loss and optical return loss measurement
• Splice and connector loss measurement
• Reflectance analysis
• Optical splitter measurement
• Macrobend and excessive-loss location
• Dark-fiber troubleshooting
• Multi-wavelength insertion-loss testing
• Optical power measurement
• Fiber identification using modulated tones
• Visual fiber tracing and fault location
• Professional fiber test-report generation

AFL Noyes FLX380-302 OTDR Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	AFL Noyes
Model	FLX380-302 FlexTester3
Product Type	Multi-Function Single-Mode OTDR
Fiber Type	Single-mode
OTDR Wavelengths	1310, 1490 and 1550 nm
Wavelength Tolerance	±20 nm
Dynamic Range	41 dB at 1310 nm, 38 dB at 1490 nm and 41 dB at 1550 nm
Event Dead Zone	0.8 m typical
Attenuation Dead Zone	2.5 m typical
PON Dead Zone	30 m typical
Pulse Widths	5, 10, 30, 100 and 300 ns; 1, 3, 10 and 20 µs
Range Settings	250 m to 240 km
Measurement Points	Up to 30,000
Group Index of Refraction	1.4000 to 1.7000
Distance Uncertainty	±(1 m + 0.005% × distance + data-point spacing)
Linearity	±0.05 dB/dB
OTDR Operating Modes	Full Auto, Expert and Real Time
PON OTDR Modes	To Splitter, Through Splitter and Expert
Trace File Format	Telcordia SR-4731 Issue 2 SOR
Internal Memory	4 GB, more than 1,000 OTDR traces
Data Transfer	USB cable or Bluetooth® wireless connection

FLX380-302 Optical Power Meter Specifications

Specification	Details
Calibrated Wavelengths	1310, 1490, 1550, 1625 and 1650 nm
Detector Type	InGaAs
Measurement Range	+23 to -50 dBm
Tone Detection Range	+3 to -35 dBm
Wave ID Range	+3 to -35 dBm
Accuracy	±0.25 dB under specified calibration conditions
Resolution	0.01 dB
Measurement Units	dB, dBm or watts

FLX380-302 Optical Laser Source Specifications

Specification	Details
Fiber Type	Single-mode
Output Wavelengths	1310, 1490 and 1550 nm
Wavelength Tolerance	±20 nm
Output Power	-1 dBm ±1.5 dB
Output Stability	±0.2 dB over eight hours
Internal Modulation	270 Hz, 330 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and CW
Wave ID	One, two or three wavelengths

FLX380-302 Visual Fault Locator Specifications

Specification	Details
Emitter	Visible red laser
Wavelength	650 nm ±20 nm
Nominal Output Power	0.8 mW into single-mode fiber
Operating Modes	CW and 2 Hz flashing
Laser Safety Class	Class II

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Specification	Details
Display	3.5-inch, 320 × 240 colour transflective LCD with backlight and anti-reflective coating
Dimensions with Protective Boot	20.1 × 13 × 5.3 cm
Weight	Approximately 0.8 kg
Operating Temperature	-10°C to +50°C
Storage Temperature	-20°C to +60°C
Relative Humidity	0% to 95%, non-condensing
Power	Rechargeable lithium-ion battery or AC adapter
Battery Life	13.5 hours under Telcordia test conditions; 12.5 hours with backlight on during continuous testing

Standard FLX380-302 Kit Contents

• AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 OTDR
• SC adapter for the OTDR and optical laser source port
• 2.5 mm universal optical power meter adapter
• 2.5 mm universal visual fault locator adapter
• Rechargeable, replaceable lithium-ion battery
• AC adapter with country-specific power cord
• USB data-transfer cable
• TRM 2.0 Basic Test Results Manager software
• Quick reference guide
• Tool-free interchangeable connector adapters with protective dust caps

Important model distinction: The FLX380-302 supports out-of-service OTDR testing at 1310, 1490 and 1550 nm. It does not include a filtered 1625 or 1650 nm OTDR channel for non-disruptive testing on active PON networks. For live-PON OTDR testing, review the filtered FLX380-303 or FLX380-304 models.

Laser safety notice: Never look directly into an active optical port, connector or fiber. Inspect and clean all optical interfaces before connecting test cables, and follow the equipment manufacturer’s safety and operating instructions.

The AFL Noyes FLX380-302 FlexTester3 OTDR combines three-wavelength OTDR analysis, optical loss testing, visual fault location, event analysis and professional reporting capabilities in a compact field instrument. Its high dynamic range, short dead zones, Wave ID technology and extensive result storage make it suitable for FTTx PON construction, point-to-point network installation and dark-fiber troubleshooting.