Foreword:
This is a guide only. We’d rather you see the CertiFiber® Pro and Versiv Platform in person to understand why professionals throughout the world are moving to this new platform. Always insist on a full demonstration of the product, including the computer software and any remote data transfer service. If you are getting a demonstration, make sure the CertiFiber Pro has the latest Version 5.1 Build 4 code. This article is accurate to the best of our knowledge, derived from hands on experience and published data sheets. All information is subject to change. If you should find an inaccuracy, please do not hesitate to let us know support@flukenetworks.com.
| Fiber Certification | |||
| CertiFiber® Pro | DTX-1800 CableAnalyzer™ | ||
| PC Software | LinkWare™ | LinkWare™ | |
| Remote transfer service | LinkWare™ Live Essentials | No | |
| Touch screen | Capacitive with gestures | No | |
| Dual fiber Autotest time | 3 seconds | 12 seconds | |
| Battery Life | ≈ 8 hrs. | ≈ 8 hrs. | |
| Battery bypass | Yes | No | |
| Annual calibration | Module only | Module only* | |
| Combined singlemode and multimode | Yes | No | |
| EF compliant out of the box | Yes | DTX-EFM2 | |
| Fiber Inspection option | Yes | No | |
| Setup multiple tests in advance | ProjX™ | No | |
| Cable IDs | 60 Characters | 25 Characters | |
| Animated set reference wizard | Yes | No | |
| Automatically store TRC values | Yes | No | |
| Save two fibers in one go | Yes | No | |
| Dual wavelength single fiber testing | Yes | No | |
| Fails negative loss | Yes | No | |
| Unload results to a thumb drive | Yes | No | |
| Length resolution | 0.1 m | 0.1 m | |
| Multimode range | 12 km (7.5 miles) | 2 km (1.2 miles) | |
| Singlemode range | 130 km (80.8 miles) | 10 km (6.2 miles) | |
| Internal memory | ≈ 100,000 | ≈ 2,000 | |
| Talk set | Yes | Yes | |
| Merge Tier 1 and Tier 2 tests | Yes | Yes | |
| Re-certify test results | Yes | Yes | |
| Built-in VFL | Yes | Yes | |
| Optional 1 GHz copper module | Yes | No | |
| Optional OTDR module | OptiFiber® Pro | OTDR module no longer available |
PC Software Fluke Networks’ LinkWare PC Software is renowned for its ease of use and professional reporting capabilities. For existing DTX CableAnalyzer customers, LinkWare PC 9.6 provides a seamless transition to the CertiFiber Pro and Versiv family of testers, allowing you to run a DTX & CertiFiber Pro for the same job. Fluke Networks’ LinkWare 9.6 Software will open any LinkWare file created since its launch in 2002.
Remote transfer service LinkWare Live Essentials allows users to transfer results from the field to their LinkWare Live account – for free; without the use of a PC. LinkWare Live Essentials offers 10 GB of remote storage, where results/projects can be tracked on your smartphone, tablet, PC or any device with an internet browser and web connection. Results can then be pulled down into your existing LinkWare Software on your PC, producing the exact same high quality reports you generate today.
Battery life Users can expect 8 hours of battery life from the CertiFiber Pro main unit. Battery life can be extended further by adjusting the screen brightness and auto time outs for the LCD screen. With the CertiFiber Pro, you could see up to 12 hrs. of use from a full charge.
Battery bypass The DTX battery contains its own charging circuit allowing for the removal of the battery to be charged without a docking station – cool feature. The downside was that if the battery developed a fault, it could render the DTX inoperable. In the CertiFiber Pro, the charging circuit is not embedded in the battery. If the battery should develop a fault, the user can continue to use the CertiFiber Pro with just the power supply plugged in. It also means that you can use the CertiFiber Pro straight away even if the battery has no charge. In the DTX CableAnalyzer, you need to wait around 10 minutes for it to obtain enough charge to operate.
Annual calibration If you are using your DTX CableAnalyzer for copper certification too, you will already know that when it goes in for calibration, you lose the ability to certify fiber too. With the CertiFiber Pro, only the module goes back for calibration. So if you have the optional copper certification modules, you can continue certifying copper links.
Combined singlemode and multimode With the DTX CableAnalyzer, you have to change modules when swapping between multimode and singlemode. The CertiFiber Pro has a Quad module option - no more swapping modules.
Encircled Flux compliant out of the box Your current DTX multimode module will most likely be a DTX-MFM or DTX-MFM2 which is not Encircled Flux (EF) compliant to ANSI/TIA-526-14-B and IEC 61280-4-1 Edition 2.The CertiFiber Pro is ANSI/TIA-526-14-B and IEC 61280-4-1 Edition 2 compliant out of the box. EF reduces measurement uncertainty avoiding false failures and passes.
Fiber Inspection option With the optional USB camera, you can inspect fiber end faces. And now with the latest code, you can test to IEC 61300-3-35. And save the results. If you use the same Cable ID as your certification test, they are automatically merged together in LinkWare PC Software. Click here to see how automated inspection works. There is no fiber inspection option for the DTX CableAnalyzer. Setup multiple tests in advance ProjX™ allows you to preconfigure the CertiFiber Pro in advance, reducing technician setup errors including incorrect test limits, cable types and IDs. You can preconfigure up to 100 projects where each project allows for the setting up of 10 individual test configurations. The projects and results can be transferred between testers – a very popular feature when you are operating from a pool of testers.
Set reference wizard Most errors in OLTS testing are caused by incorrect referencing. The CertiFiber Pro has an animated wizard that walks the technician through each step of the set reference process. Make sure you get to see this please. Automatically store TRC values During the set reference wizard, the test reference cords (TRCs) are verified and saved automatically to the internal memory. You now have proof as to the condition of the TRCs. No more finger pointing over poor TRCs.
Save two fibers in one go The CertiFiber Pro only requires one tap of the screen to save both fiber results. In the DTX CableAnalyzer, multiple presses of the button are required.
Dual wavelength single fiber testing Whilst the DTX CableAnalyzer allows for the testing of single fiber strands, it only tests one wavelength at a time. The CertiFiber Pro can test a single fiber strand at both wavelengths in one test, not two separate tests as in the DTX CableAnalyzer.
Fails negative loss Following the Set Reference Wizard should eliminate negative loss readings. If the loss is less than -0.09 dB, both CertiFiber Pro and DTX CableAnalyzer will warn the user. However, the CertiFiber Pro will fail the link making it very obvious that there is an issue in referencing that needs to be resolved.
Unload results to a thumb drive Almost everyone has a thumb drive/memory stick to hand. The same cannot be said about SD/MMCs found in the DTX CableAnalyzer.
Optional OTDR module At first glance, the CertiFiber Pro looks to be a Tier 1 (OLTS) fiber certification tester. But you can swap out the modules to allow Tier 2 (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) testing. You can also add copper certification with the DSX-5000 CableAnalyzer modules.