diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db37388..798580f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,23 +46,47 @@ The rack is a **MOPA** (master-oscillator power-amplifier) at 1550 nm:
 Run the booster in **ACC (constant-current)** mode — APC stepping quantises the
 output. Below transparency the booster erbium fibre *absorbs* the pre-amp
 output, so output stays at the PD floor (−60 dBm) until the pump is high
-enough. Measured 2026-06-17 with ~6 mW (7.8 dBm) seed into the EDFA:
+enough.
 
-| Pump-1 | Output-1 | note |
-|-------:|---------:|------|
+### Pump-1 vs output characterisation (2026-06-17)
+
+Two sweeps. The transparency sweep used ~6 mW (7.8 dBm) seed into the EDFA; the
+high-power sweep added a 3 dB pad (input 3.2 dBm, within the ≤5 dBm benchtop
+spec) and a direct output-to-power-meter connection.
+
+| Pump-1 | Output-1 (internal PD) | note |
+|-------:|------------------------|------|
 | 500–900 mA | −60 dBm | below transparency, signal absorbed |
 | 1200 mA | 21.0 dBm | booster turns on |
-| 1500 mA | 23.3 dBm | |
+| 1500 mA | 23.1 dBm | |
 | 2000 mA | 25.9 dBm | |
-| 2500 mA | 27.1 dBm | documented operating point, ~515 mW |
+| 2500 mA | 27.1 dBm / 514 mW | documented 0.5 W operating point |
+| 3000 mA | 28.3 dBm / 679 mW | |
+| 3500 mA | 29.3 dBm / 857 mW | |
+| 4000 mA | 30.1 dBm / 1026 mW | **1 W rated ceiling** |
+| 4500 mA | 30.85 dBm / 1216 mW | over-rating; curve still ~linear (not saturated) |
 
-Pump current overshoots ~2× briefly on each step up and settles in 2–4 s, so
-**ramp gradually** rather than jumping straight to the setpoint.
+The unit (factory APC setpoint 30 dBm) comfortably exceeds 1 W: 1.22 W at
+4500 mA with the output still climbing ~0.74 dB/500 mA and module temp only
+~30 °C — so its true saturated maximum is higher, but driving a 1 W-rated pump
+diode past rating trades lifetime for diminishing return. Pump current
+overshoots ~2× briefly on each step up and settles in 2–4 s, so **ramp
+gradually** rather than jumping to the setpoint.
 
-> **Safety:** this is a Class 4, ~1 W, invisible 1550 nm source. The firmware
-> clamps pump-1 to `PUMP_CURRENT_MAX_MA` (3000 mA) and seed current to
-> `SEED_CURRENT_MAX_MA`, but those are not interlocks — treat the output as
-> hazardous unless it terminates in a power meter / beam dump / closed system.
+> **Internal PD vs external power meter:** at 4500 mA the internal PD reported
+> 1.22 W while a Thorlabs meter measured **1.05 W** at the output (~0.6 dB
+> high / residual loss). Treat the `amp/output*_power_dbm` telemetry as
+> indicative, ~0.5–0.6 dB optimistic, not a calibrated power reading. (The
+> earlier lab notes saw the opposite sign through a different connection, so
+> the offset is path-dependent.)
+
+> **Safety:** Class 4, >1 W, invisible 1550 nm. The firmware clamps pump-1 to
+> `PUMP_CURRENT_MAX_MA` (4000 mA ≈ the 1 W rating) and seed current to
+> `SEED_CURRENT_MAX_MA` — guardrails against accidental over-drive, **not
+> interlocks**. Above 1 W the Agiltron manual requires matched high-power
+> connectors or a splice on the output, else the output fibre/amplifier can be
+> damaged. Always drop the pump to 0 before unmating any fibre. Treat the
+> output as hazardous unless it terminates in a power meter / beam dump.
 
 ## Hardware
 
diff --git a/include/config.h b/include/config.h
index 9bed98d..894574f 100644
--- a/include/config.h
+++ b/include/config.h
@@ -26,7 +26,10 @@
 // HA number sliders are capped here. The hardware allows 8000 mA pump, but
 // the lab notes report ~2500 mA pump-1 -> ~27 dBm (~515 mW). Keep a margin.
 #define SEED_CURRENT_MAX_MA   300     // CTL200 ilmax default is 1000; seed DFB is low-power
-#define PUMP_CURRENT_MAX_MA   3000    // firmware clamps amp pump-1 to this
+// Pump-1 clamp = the 1 W rated operating point (~4000 mA, measured 2026-06-17).
+// Raise deliberately only for supervised over-rating characterisation; it is a
+// guardrail against accidental over-drive, not a safety interlock.
+#define PUMP_CURRENT_MAX_MA   4000
 
 // ── Serial links to the instruments (wired in later increments) ─────
 // UART0 stays the USB console. The classic ESP32 has 3 hardware UARTs.
diff --git a/src/agiltron.cpp b/src/agiltron.cpp
index 6026a5a..8b64be6 100644
--- a/src/agiltron.cpp
+++ b/src/agiltron.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,25 @@ int Agiltron::getPumpEnabled() {
   return (u16(r[8], r[9]) == 0) ? 1 : 0;   // edfa.py: ==0 means enabled
 }
 
+long Agiltron::logThresholds() {
+  uint8_t r[64];
+  size_t n = transact(0x5F, nullptr, 0, r, sizeof(r));
+  if (!validate(r, n, 0x5F) || n < 48) return -1;
+  auto u32 = [&](int o) -> uint32_t {
+    return ((uint32_t)r[o] << 24) | ((uint32_t)r[o+1] << 16) |
+           ((uint32_t)r[o+2] << 8) | r[o+3];
+  };
+  uint32_t maxPreampI = u32(8);
+  uint32_t maxPump1   = u32(24);
+  uint32_t maxPump2   = u32(32);
+  uint32_t maxPumpT   = u32(44);   // /10 = degC
+  Serial.printf("[agiltron] thresholds: max_preamp=%lu mA, max_pump1=%lu mA, "
+                "max_pump2=%lu mA, max_pump_temp=%.1f C\n",
+                (unsigned long)maxPreampI, (unsigned long)maxPump1,
+                (unsigned long)maxPump2, maxPumpT / 10.0);
+  return (long)maxPump1;
+}
+
 String Agiltron::getSn() {
   uint8_t r[64];
   size_t n = transact(0x1F, nullptr, 0, r, sizeof(r));
diff --git a/src/agiltron.h b/src/agiltron.h
index b955a04..6379306 100644
--- a/src/agiltron.h
+++ b/src/agiltron.h
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ public:
   // Authoritative pump-enable from get_settings (0x2E): byte[8:9]==0 => enabled.
   // Returns -1 on no/invalid reply, 0 = disabled, 1 = enabled.
   int       getPumpEnabled();
+  // Factory safety thresholds (0x5F). Logs to Serial; returns max pump-1 mA
+  // (the device's own ceiling), or -1 on no/invalid reply.
+  long      logThresholds();
 
   // Control (return true if the device ACKed)
   bool pumpOn()                       { return cmdAck(0x20, (const uint8_t[]){0x00,0x00}, 2); }
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 0f7baf8..d67873a 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ void setup() {
                 AGILTRON_UART_NUM, AGILTRON_RX_PIN, AGILTRON_TX_PIN);
   String sn = agiltron.getSn(), pn = agiltron.getPn();
   Serial.printf("  SN=\"%s\"  PN=\"%s\"\n", sn.c_str(), pn.c_str());
+  agiltron.logThresholds();
   if (sn.length() == 0)
     Serial.println("  (no reply — Agiltron not wired? RX/TX swapped? wrong dev ID? GND?)");
 #endif