CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What does a visual fault locator do for optical fiber?

1. It amplifies the signal for better clarity

2. It shines a bright line down the fiber to locate breaks

3. It measures the data transfer speed

4. It tests the electrical integrity of the fiber

The correct answer is: It shines a bright line down the fiber to locate breaks

A visual fault locator is specifically designed to assist in identifying breaks or faults within optical fiber cables. It achieves this by shining a bright light, usually a laser, down the fiber. When the light encounters a break or a significant fault in the fiber, it will not continue to travel through the damaged section, which causes the light to either disappear or scatter at that point. This allows technicians to visually ascertain the location of the break along the fiber, making it a practical tool for troubleshooting and maintenance. The other choices do not accurately describe the function of a visual fault locator. Amplifying the signal pertains more to devices such as optical amplifiers, which enhance signal strength rather than locate faults. Measuring data transfer speed is related to network performance testing tools, not visual fault locators. Lastly, testing the electrical integrity of the fiber is not applicable, as optical fibers are non-conductive and work based on light transmission rather than electrical signals. Thus, the role of a visual fault locator is specifically to provide a visual indication of where faults occur in an optical fiber line.