Testing Fiber for Optical Loss

It is also possible to use an optical reflectometer (OTDR) to test the optical loss of a fiber in another way. Using a high intensity laser light emitting at a predefined pulse interval connected via a jumper or a pigtail to one end of the fiber optic cable, the reflectometer analyzes the backscattered light returned to the source. This test method at one end of the optical fiber can be used to analyze the loss quantitatively and to precisely identify the places where it occurs. Learn more about optical reflectometry tests .



Some Tips for Testing Fiber Optic Cables
It is necessary to test the fiber optic networks during their installation and during the maintenance phase. Compliance with certain fundamental practices ensures safer, more efficient and more reliable fiber deployments and network activations.

Fiber Optic Cable Testing Best Practices

The cleanliness of the fiber optic connectors and the connectors of the test equipment is crucial. A fiber optic inspection microscope can be used to check the cleanliness of the heart and connection ferrules. It is recommended that you use specialized cleaning agents to clean the fiber optic connections. Equally important is the cleanliness of the reference cables and connectors of the test equipment.
When using an optical pen (VFL) to locate faults, eye protection is paramount. Indeed, a VFL uses a high-intensity laser light source. You should, therefore, avoid looking at the source or the core of the optical fiber illuminated by VFL with the naked eye.
The use of an optical light source and a photometer, or an optical loss test kit (OLTS), is recommended to ensure that the budget for optical power conforms to the original specifications.
Record and reference the characteristics of the fiber link using an OTDR.
The objective of an optical reflectometer (OTDR) is to detect, locate and measure elements anywhere along with a fiber optic link. Location information relating to loss and reflective events is generated. Technicians can thus know the characteristics of the fiber at the time of the test. With an OTDR, use leader/end coils to qualify the connectors at each end. A leader coil is connected between the tester and the fiber under test, and the end coil is connected to the other end of the fiber optic link. Please note: the optical fiber used in the starter and end coils must be identical to the fiber tested (type, size of the core, etc.).
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Finally, proper planning and preparation are basic best practices for testing fiber optics. To make the fiber tests as efficient and precise as possible, you can also clean and test the equipment beforehand, check that it is calibrated, and above all check that it is equipped with the functions that will be useful in the field.

In addition, with the aim of covering the entire territory

In addition, with the aim of covering the entire territory with fiber optics and connecting almost all French households to very high speed (THD), the State has launched since 2013, the France Very High Speed ​​Plan.

Deployment of optical fiber to NRO
Before being able to connect a building or a house to the optical fiber, it is necessary first of all that the optical fiber is deployed until the Node of Optical Connection . It is the place where the lines of subscribers of the same district or the same city converge. It is comparable to the NRA for telephone lines and ADSL.

Thus, in the same way as a telephone exchange where the copper pairs of the switched network (PSTN) and the ADSL equipment (DSLAM) are centralized, the NRO groups the fiber optic cables deployed by Orange and the optical line terminal ( OLT). Like the NRAs, the NROs are owned by Orange .

The OLT is the only active equipment which makes the connection between the local distribution network (allowing the connection of housing) and the national optical collection network.

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All about fiber optics

The future of very high speed Internet is through fiber, a true locomotive of digital. Focus on the ten most frequently asked questions about this technology.
What is optical fiber?
An optical fiber is a particularly fine glass or plastic wire , capable of conducting light and used to transmit data. The signal, contained in a cylindrical core surrounded by a protective sheath, is transported by laser light. This light can easily be transported over hundreds, even thousands of kilometers. Beyond that, the fiber has the desired ability to allow communications at particularly high speeds .

What is the difference between fiber and cable?
The optical fiber is employed within a sheath and drawn:

in the streets: so-called “horizontal” deployment,
then in buildings: deployment known as "vertical",
Finally, even in the dwellings: we speak of "final connection".
This is an FTTH connection .

But fiber should not be confused with cable, known as “coaxial cable” - the famous “antenna cable”, through which Numericable-SFR offers its subscribers access to very high speed. Numericable-SFR already has a coaxial cable network which gives it a definite advantage over its competitors. In fact, the coaxial cable suffers little loss over short distances and remains an excellent support for supplementing the fiber.
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Numericable-SFR fiber has therefore opted for a connection of its subscribers by FTTB technology and not FTTH: with this technology, from the foot of the building to the subscriber, Numericable-SFR has chosen to replace the coaxial cable to fiber. The purists will therefore reject the name "fiber" for Numericable-SFR, it being considered that the cable operator uses coaxial cable for the terminal part of the connection of its customers.

How to identify and understand optical cable nomenclatures

Depending on the type of application they are intended for, fiber optic cables are classified into the following groups of families:

a) optical cables for buried installations;
b) optical cables for installations in ducts or for aerial installations by spinning;
c) self-supporting optical cables for aerial installations;
d) self-supporting optical cables for aerial installations in long spans;
e) optical cables for network terminations;
f) optical cables for indoor installations;
g) optical cords;

Below is a brief description of each type of cable:

DIELECTRIC OPTICAL BURIED CABLE (DE):

Set consisting of single-mode or multimode type optical fibers graded index coated in acrylate, with protection elements of the basic unit, dielectric traction element, eventual fillers, and core filled with material resistant to the penetration or propagation of moisture, protected by an internal coating of thermoplastic material, an additional polyamide coating and an outer coating of thermoplastic material. It should preferably be applied buried in direct contact with the soil.

BURIED PROTECTED DIELECTRIC OPTICAL CABLE (DPE):

Set consisting of single-mode or multimode optical fibers graded index, coated in acrylate, protection elements of the basic units, dielectric traction element, eventual fillers; and core filled with material resistant to the penetration or propagation of moisture and protected by a thermoplastic material coating, over which a polyamide coating and an external protection composed of a thermoplastic material duct are applied. It should be applied preferably buried, in direct contact with the soil.

OPTICAL CABLE WITH METALLIC PROTECTION FOR DUCT INSTALLATIONS (ARD):

Set consisting of single-mode or multimode graded-index optical fibers coated in acrylate, protection elements of the basic unit, traction element, eventual fillers, dielectric core resistant to the penetration and spread of moisture, metallic protection and external coating of thermoplastic material.

OPTICAL CABLE WITH METALLIC PROTECTION FOR UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS (ARE):

Set consisting of single-mode or multimode graded-index optical fibers coated in acrylate, protection elements of the basic unit, traction element, eventual fillers, dielectric core resistant to the penetration and spread of moisture, metallic protection and external coating of thermoplastic material.

DIELECTRIC OPTICAL CABLE PROTECTED AGAINST RODENT ATTACK FOR BURIED INSTALLATIONS (DER):

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Set consisting of single-mode or multimode graded-index optical fibers coated in acrylate, protection elements of the basic unit, possible fillers, and a core resistant to moisture penetration, protected by an internal coating of thermoplastic material, an additional polyamide coating, a barrier resistant to rodent action and an external coating of thermoplastic material.

Fiber Optic Installer and Repairer

Identifies defects and repairs optical fibers. Installs technologies in data communication networks. Performs tests and maintenance on data communication network equipment, using configuration and monitoring tools. Performs installation services and removal of fiber optics. Performs preventive maintenance, following safety, hygiene, quality and environmental protection standards.

Identifies defects and repairs optical fibers. Installs technologies in data communication networks. Performs tests and maintenance on data communication network equipment, using configuration and monitoring tools. Performs installation services and removal of fiber optics. Performs preventive maintenance, following safety, hygiene, quality and environmental protection standards.

Prerequisites fiber splicing technician salary

Complete high school

Formative Content

Installation and Repair of Networks
• Concept of networks
• Cables and equipment
• Description of Services
• Limitation of Service
• Procedure and Treatment of Service
Installation and Repair of Public Telephony Networks (TUP)
• Concept of Public Telephony
• General Operation
• Telephone numbers Manufacturer
Regulatory Norm 10 - NR10
• Brazilian Technical Norms
• Legal Aspects
• Introduction to safety
• Risks in installations and services with electricity
• Risk Analysis Techniques
• Electrical Risk Control Measures
• Regulations of the Ministry of Labor and Employment - MTE
• Collective Protection Equipment • Personal Protection
Equipment
• Work Routines and Procedures
• Documentation of Electrical Installations
• Additional Risks
• Protection and Fire Fighting
• Accidents of Electrical Origin
• First Aid
• Responsibilities
Installation and repair in fixed telephone networks
• Security at Work and prevention
• Telephony overview
• Existing cable configurations in the network
• Overhead and underground cable splicing
• Cable connection
• Electrical tests
• External terminal boxes and distribution cabinets
• Quick coupling system
• Distribution of peers in buildings
• Building intelligence projects
Interpersonal relations
• Systemic view
• Professional ethical posture
• Decision making
• Telephone service
• Company image
• Types of customers
• The importance of service in the relationship between internal and external customers
• How to act in different situations with the client
• Motivation
• Quality of service
• Time management and optimization
• Service organization
• Personal presentation
• Types of languages
• Notions of citizenship

The cable should not be twisted,

Cable folds

The cable should not be twisted, as this can strain the fibers. Tension and tension straps can cause the cable to twist. Use a swivel to hook the tension tape to the cable to avoid drag tension that causes tension forces on the cable. 

Unwind the coil cable instead of pulling it to avoid folds in the cable each time you turn the coil. When supporting a cable for a long run, use a figure of 8 on the floor to avoid creases. The figure of 8 locates half of a turn of the cable on one side of the 8 and takes the other half on the other side, avoiding folds.

Installing the swivel hitch on the fiber optic cable

Cable manufacturers install special mechanical resistance elements, in general aramid yarn (Dupont Kevlar) to absorb tension when the cable is pulled.   The fiber optic cable should only be pulled through these resistance elements unless the cable design allows the jacket to be pulled. Any other method could strain the fibers and damage them. 

The swivels should be used to hook the rope or pull belt to the cable to prevent the cable from twisting during cable drag.

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Finally, we have the question of wavelength

Finally, we have the question of wavelength. The eye cannot see many of the wavelengths used in the optical fiber since the eye is sensitive to light in the visible regions of blue to red of the spectrum, while the optical fiber system works in the infrared. The liquid in the eye, which is mostly water, absorbs the infrared light in large quantities. The light from most fiber optic sources will be absorbed by this liquid, so any potential damage will likely remain in the lens or cornea, not in the retina. 

While the light beam of the fiber optic that propagates makes it less dangerous to see it directly, using a microscope for fiber optic inspection can be a problem. The microscope will focus virtually all of the light inside the eye. That is why many microscopes used in fiber optics have filters to absorb any infrared light that could be harmful. Be careful with cheap microscopes, as they may not have infrared light blocking filters. 

To be sure that the fibers are safe to be inspected or to work with, always check the fibers of a functioning network with a fiber optic power meter to make sure there is no light before inspecting a connector with a microscope.

Read more: fiber optic salary

External plant cables and single-mode cables

External plant cables and single-mode cables for an internal installation generally require fusion splices for the concatenation of long cable runs and connectorized fiber cables ( pigtails ) for termination. As fusion splices are now cheaper, many contractors have acquired them. Those contractors who have few projects that require splices prefer to rent them, because they know they get the newest model with the latest technology.   The disadvantage of renting the equipment is that its installers may not be familiar with a certain model and will need training or time to familiarize themselves with it. If you have your own equipment, your staff is supposed to be familiar with its use and only need to inspect it to make sure it is working properly and that the electrode arcs are in good condition.

Contractors usually have termination equipment for multimode fiber, as it is the one used in most jobs. Generally contractors have a preferred termination method, either of the adhesive or polished type, or pre-polished connectors. Either method requires having special toolkits. An affordable oven is needed for epoxy or Hot Melt connectors , but both are different, the Hot Melt oven It works at a higher temperature. If you use epoxies or anaerobic adhesives that you already have, check the expiration date, to make sure they can still be used. Also check other supplies such as wipes, isopropyl alcohol, cleaning gel for cables and, of course, the connectors.

Pre-polished connectors have improved and are easier to use. The most modern termination kits include a precision cutter such as those used with the fuser and a visual fault locator to verify the internal splice. As the new kits can now produce connectors that have less losses, of around 0.5 dB, the acquisition of a new kit with the most modern connectors and perhaps some training would be a good investment.

Also Read : fiber optic certifications

Before beginning the installation of fiber optic cables and hardware

Before beginning the installation of fiber optic cables and hardware in place. The latter must be properly prepared for the installation of fiber optic cables, hardware and transmission equipment. During the design and planning stages, the site must have been inspected, and all necessary hardware for wiring must be included in the design.

There are so many types of structures to tie the fiber optic cables at the installation site that it is difficult to make generalizations. The cables can be hung on hooks, supported on cable trays or installed in underground conduits or corrugated subducts. The terminations of the cables can be in racks inside a telecommunications room, in termination boxes or even in wall sockets.  The preparation for installation includes the planning of the storage of the service cable in the form of a loop behind the racks, as shown here.

Support structures for fiber optic installations must be installed before cable installation.  These structures must conform to the guidelines of appropriate standards, such as TIA / EIA 569-A and NECA / BICSI 568-2001 standards. In addition, when determining the size of the tracks, space must be taken into account for a future increase in the number of cables or their size. All the requirements of the radius of the curvature of the cables should be followed and, if possible, avoid laying the cables in dangerous places.

Sometimes cables can be installed in existing trays. The fiber optic cable should not be laid in an underground conduit or subduct that already has cables, no matter what type they are, to avoid damage. Empty ducts, whether new or not, can be modified to receive different facilities by properly installing corrugated subducts.

Support structures for internal plant installations also include connection panels for terminations. These can be boxes or racks for assembly, which must be correctly chosen according to the type of cable used. The termination of simplex or duplex cables ( zip cord ) can be done in open panels, but the 900-micron fibers of the tight structure of the distribution cables must be in closed panels to be protected.   If possible, the design of the support structures should be such that it provides space for the termination of the cables and for the storage of the service cable in the form of a loop.

The wiring in the internal plant requires fire systems in each of the income of the cables in the walls and ceilings. In addition, fire-fighting systems for telecommunications must comply with applicable norms and standards. All income must be protected with approved fire fighting systems. 

In most places, a break in a fire separation will require physical supervision until it is repaired. Check with your “Competent Authority” for specific project requirements before starting work.
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Restoration Planning & C9-5 restoration

In the United States, approximately once a day, a fiber optic cable breaks due to some excavation around the cable, as shown in the image. The cables in the internal plants are not so vulnerable, except for the damages caused by some clumsiness of the personnel or during the extraction of abandoned cables. Every network is susceptible to damage, so each installation needs a restoration plan.

A fiber optic restoration is effective when the problem is quickly located, the right knowledge and spare parts are available to solve it and the task is carried out without delay and competently. As with any other type of emergency, advance planning will minimize problems.

Restoration Documentation

Documentation is the most useful tool when solving a problem in a fiber network, especially during restoration. Start with the technical data sheets of the manufacturer of each component used: electronic system, cables, connectors, equipment such as connection panels, splice closures, and even mounting parts. Along with the information, the contact information of the manufacturer's customer service line must be saved, which will be very useful during the restoration.

Throughout the installation, mark each fiber of each cable at each connection and keep a record of where each fiber is going with software for cable network documentation or a simple spreadsheet. When performing the test, add the data of the losses obtained with an optical loss test equipment (OLTS) and the data of the optical reflectometer in the time domain (OTDR) when available. There must be a person in charge of this information, as well as its update, in case of changes.

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