What length of fiber should be placed in a dead zone box according to industry standards?

The correct choice suggests that the fiber placed in a dead zone box should be 20 times the length of the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)'s shortest pulse width. This is based on industry standards that account for the limitations of OTDRs when measuring fiber optic cables. A dead zone refers to the region close to the connector where the OTDR is unable to accurately measure reflections.

By placing a length of fiber that is 20 times the shortest pulse width, the measurement ensures that potential reflections and inconsistencies in the data generated by the OTDR will not interfere with the actual testing of the fiber optic link. This standard is designed to provide a buffer that accommodates the reflection and signal processing time of the OTDR, ensuring that users can r reliably analyze the fiber's performance without the influence of the dead zone.

Meeting this standard ultimately leads to more accurate and reliable measurements in fiber optic testing, which is critical for maintaining high standards in network performance and integrity.