Which detector do I need?

It is very important to correctly match the power meter detector type to the application. 

The correct detector for loss and power measurements on fiber systems will generally be as follows:

InGaAs (Indium Gallium Arsenide)

• General & precision measurements over 1000 - 1650 nm (other InGaAs detectors) up to the maximum meter range.
• CWDM or DWDM bands up to the maximum meter range.
• Single mode-only testing, with high accuracy.
  
  

Ge (Germanium)

• Modest accuracy from 850 - 1550 nm, up to the maximum meter range.
• Broad single mode & multimode testing.

Don't choose a Ge (Germanium) detector for:

• Work on WDM systems above 1550 nm. Calibration constants vary by about 2 dB between 1550 -1625 nm, with high temperature sensitivity. Supporting graphs provided below. 
• 1550 nm testing is also affected in cold temperatures.
• Precision or laboratory grade accuracy. Ge is inherently non-linear by about 0.04 dB. It has temperature sensitivity, and responsivity is variable across the detector surface.
  
  

Si (Silicon)

• Precision measurement at 600 - 1000 nm up to the maximum meter range.
• POF, HCS and 850nm-only testing. It won't work for eg 1300 nm and longer.
  
  

H series / high power (attenuated InGaAs)

• High power measurements.
• These detectors are more expensive and have slightly lower accuracy than normal InGaAs detectors, so only specify them if actually required.
• Kingfisher power meters can be used up to the maximum display range.
• The peak signal power must be within the meter range.
• High power meters have less AutoTest sensitivity, which is a consideration for loss testing.
• The KI2600-H5 offers the best balance for most high power users, with up to +24 dBm range & reasonable Autotestsenstivity
  
  

XL series / large area

• POF, MPO and other fibers above 200u active light diameter.
• Select from Si, Ge or InGaAs using the above guidelines. 
• HCS is 200u core diameter, so a standard meter is just OK for HCS installers, but a large area detector gives laboratory grade results.
• MPO connectors with 16 and 32 fibers require the larger Ge7 detector, which also works with other MPO fiber counts.
• The KI2600XL-H3B offers the highest power level of +33 dBm.