What does the threshold value of an optical power meter mean
A typical OPM is linear from about 0 dBm (1 milli Watt) to about -50 dBm (10 nano Watt), although the display range may be larger. Above 0 dBm is considered "high power", and specially adapted units may measure up to nearly + 30 dBm ( 1 Watt). Irrespective of power meter specifications, testing below about -50 dBm tends to be sensitive to stray ambient light leaking into fibers or connectors. The term usually refers to a device used for measuring the average power in fiber optic systems. An optical power meter measures the photon energy in the form of current or voltage from an optical detector such as a semiconductor, a thermopile, or a pyroelectric detector.
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