Fluke Networks CertiFiber Pro Users Manual - Manual (Page 248)

Versiv Cabling Certification Product Family
Technical Reference Handbook
226
About Launch and Tail Cords
Launch and tail cords let the tester measure the loss and
reflectance of the first and last connectors in the cabling and also
include them in the measurement of overall loss. Without launch
and tail cords, no backscatter is available before the first
connector nor after the last. To measure the properties of a
connector, the tester must measure the backscatter before and
after the connector.
Fluke Networks recommends that you use launch and tail cords.
You should also use the launch/tail cord compensation function
to remove the lengths of these fibers from the OTDR
measurements.
If you select a test limit that requires you to use launch and tail
cords, the tester shows a warning message when you try to do an
OTDR test without launch and tail cords.

Caution
For tests on cabling that has angled physical contact
(APC) connectors, use only launch/tail cords that
have APC connectors at the ends connected to the
cabling. Other connector types cause large
reflections that can cause unreliable test results.
Table 10. Settings for Test Limits that Use Length
to Calculate a Loss Limit
Number of
Connectors
Enter the number of connectors that are in the link.
If you do not use launch and tail cords, do not
include the first and last connectors. If you use only
a launch cord, include the first connector, but not
the last connector.
Number of Splices
Enter the number of splices that are in the link.