An optical power meter displays two key test parameters that allow fiber design specifications like insertion loss or low attenuation to be evaluated. The first is the wavelength setting in nanometers (nm) and the second is the power level in (dB or dBm). Typical power levels measured by an optical power meter: Telecom transmitters: 0 to +10 dBm (1 to 10 milliwatts), Receivers: -30 dBm (1 microwatt) DWDM systems with fiber amplifiers: +10 to +20 dBm (10 to 100 milliwatts), Receivers: -20 to -30 dBm (1-10 microwatt) Data links and LANs: 0 to -10 dBm. What is an optical power meter? An optical power meter (OPM) measures the power levels of light signals in devices that transmit data or power using light. Industry guidance commonly describes dBm as power referenced to 1. The term optical power occurs in the literature with two totally different meanings: It can be the energy of light per unit time, as is delivered by a laser beam, for example. Other general purpose light power measuring devices are usually called radiometers, photometers, laser power. A fiber-optic power meter is a quantitative measurement instrument, not a diagnostic tool by itself.
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