|
|
|
|
|
INDEX
Newsletter Sections Click
on any link to jump to that section
|
Inspecting Fiber Optic ConnectorsIn the March FOA Newsletter we discussed cleaning fiber optic
connectors and the need for inspecting them before and after cleaning.
This month, the topic is inspecting connectors and the microscopes used
for inspection. Evolution Of The Fiber Optic Inspection Microscope The first microscopes used for inspecting connectors were modified lab microscopes. Fitting a fiber optic connector to the microscope and lighting it properly was not simple, and, of course, these microscopes were not portable. With the advent of field terminated fiber optic connectors using adhesives and polishing the end of the fiber ferrule, portable microscopes were also needed to include in the termination kits provided by the connector manufacturers. Fortunately, a simple, inexpensive plastic microscope was available from Panasonic that could be modified for inspecting connectors. Practically every connector manufacturer used one of these microscopes or something similar.  Modified Panasonic Fiber Optic Microscope, FOTEC V100 circa 1985 This microscope was easily modified for inspecting fiber optic connectors. It had a built-in battery-powered light to illuminate the connector and the stage for microscope glass slides could be modified to hold a bracket for the connector. The bracket for the connector could even be used two ways; inspecting the connector directly and at an angle, two views that gave better information on the quality of the connector ferrule.  Direct and angle views of the same polished connector ferrule viewed in the Panasonic microscope, ca. 1985 The Panasonic microscope came in two versions, 30X power and 100X power. Most connector manufacturers used the 100 power version used in the views above. One manufacturer, Dorran Photonics, preferred the 30X version. Dorran was founded by Jack Cook, the inventor of the Biconic connector at Bell Labs, who left Bell Labs to start Dorran and became an independent source for the Biconic connector. Jack preferred the lower power because he believed the higher power was not necessary to see the connector polish. This simple microscope served the industry well for many years, but eventually a company went to an optical equipment manufacturer and had a special microscope designed for fiber optics. The Westover microscope was a much better tool for inspecting fiber optic connectors.  Westover (now VIAVI) microscope for fiber optic connectors, late 1990s This microscope offered many better features compared to the Panasonic version. It was more rugged and had much better optics. Versions have been available for 100, 200 and 400 power. The availability of various magnifications caused some disagreements about the "right" magnification, with some complaining that 400X was too high, limiting the field of view and exaggerating the surface condition, while others said 100X was inadequate for inspecting singlemode polishing. It was mostly opinion as all worked well. This microscope offered direct lighting of the connector through the optical path as well as oblique lighting with a LED off to the side. Adapters for connectors were more stable and precise. The next step forward for connector inspection was the video microscope. This was a video camera mated to a microscope with fixtures for connectors which displayed the image on a dedicated video screen or was attached to a PC which displayed the image.   ODM video microscope probe for PC and portable display video microscope from Westover, ca. 2000 The video microscope was a major advance in optical inspection of connectors. It allowed changing magnification to view most of the connector ferrule or zoom in on the fiber, and using image analysis to help find dirt, contamination and defects. Video microscopes also solved a problem for optical microscopes which could focus potentially harmful invisible infrared light in the fiber into the eye, but that was not a problem with a video microscope where the user only saw an image of the connector on a screen. Video microscopes allowed automating inspection, producing reports like this that can be saved for documentation of properly cleaned connectors and used for future reference..  JDSU (now VIAVI) inspection report. An international standard for inspection, ISO/IEC-61300-3-35, was developed to automate the inspection using video microscopes, specifying the number of defects allowable in 4 zones, around the core. Many video microscopes include testing to this standard. Inspection of connectors for dirt and contamination is generally limited to a small area around the fiber itself. The size of the area covered in the IEC 61300-3-35 standard for connector inspection is shown in the photo below. The area inside the red circle in the photo below shows the total area covered in this international standard for connector inspection used for automatic inspection by video microscopes.   SC connector in wide-field view compared to typical inspection region. However there is a lot more area on the end of the connector ferrule, plus the sides of the ferrule which can get dirty from mating cycles, and the inside of the connector body which can transfer dirt to the connector ferrule. Note the connector on the right has a clean ferrule and a very dirty connector body. Protective caps, which must be used on connectors when they are not mated, can still allow lots of dirt to accumulate on the connector body which can be transferred to the connector ferrule when the cap is removed. One solution to wide angle viewing of more of the connector is available from fiberopticprecisioncleaning.com and provides a very simple way to see if a connector is really clean. It also has an adapter for the MPO connector that shows the entire end of the multi-fiber ferrule.  Wide angle microscope with adapters for SC (left) and MPO (right) connectors Microscope InspectionMicroscopes are used to inspect connectors in the factory for proper polishing in the manufacturing process and in the field for cleanliness and damage. Dirt and contamination are the primary problems in the field, but connectors can get damaged, for example by being dropped on a rough surface with the protective cap removed. Examples of dirt, contamination and damage to connector ferrules Automatic inspections using the criteria of ISO/IEC-61300-3-35 separates the connector ferrule endface into 4 zones, the core (A), cladding (B), adhesive between the fiber and the ferrule (C) and the inner zone of the ferrule (D). The dimensions of each zone are given in this test report in microns.  Data table for inspection according to ISO/IEC-61300-3-35 The latest version of ISO/IEC-61300-3-35-2022 dropped the need for inspection of Zones C and D, which has been controversial. As you can see from the two views above, there can be dirt on the connector ferrule end but the connector can pass inspection according to ISO/IEC-61300-3-35. The argument for dropping the two outer zones is that the connector with a PC or APC finish has a convex (dome) end and only the fiber makes contact with the mating connector, so dirt outside the cladding region is not important. Counter arguments note that the dirt or contamination on the rest of the ferrule can transfer to other connectors or the alignment sleeve in mating adapters, potentially transferring to mated connectors. One suspects a human seeing a connector like the one above would clean again until all the dirt was removed. Remember: Inspect, clean, then inspect again to ensure proper cleaning. Read More: Visual Inspection And Cleaning Of Fiber Optic Connectors. 
Google Announces A $10.685 Million Grant To Support IBEW-NECA Workforce Development.Google has announced a $10.685million grant to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) to support the growth of the IBEW/NECA etA apprenticeship program.(The FOA is a partner of the electrical training ALLIANCE which offers FOA fiber optic training and certification at more than 3 dozen US training centers.) Google’s announcement emphasized the demand for trade skills that can construct electrical infrastructure. In particular, a shortage of electrical workers may constrain America’s ability to build the infrastructure needed to support AI, advanced manufacturing and a shift to clean energy. Building upon years of delivering digital workforce development programs to people across the country, Google is announcing support for an effort to train 100,000 electrical workers and 30,000 new apprentices in the United States. With funding from Google.org to the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) — an organization created by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association — etA will integrate AI tools into its curriculum and boost the number of apprentices nationally. It will also provide apprentices with access to Google’s AI Essentials course to master AI skills. With the support provided by Google, etA's program aims to increase the electrical workforce pipeline by 70% within the next five years. Of course, no single organization can fix the expected shortfall alone, but through shared public and private efforts to introduce and support training programs like this one, the U.S. can develop a model for training the next generation workforce. A group of JATCs has been identified through a needs-based analysis in collaboration with Google. These sites help ensure the investment supports regions with growing demand—but the tools and resources developed through this grant are designed to benefit all NECA-IBEW apprenticeship programs nationwide. Read the Google announcement here. | |
News
Lots more news in Worth Reading below | Quote of the Month
|
|
TechnicalFiber optic technology, standards, equipment, installation, etc.The FOA Update Page covers the new technology and applications we covered in this newsletter recently. Now you can review all that new tech at once.
Cross Reference To FOA Technical Reference Materials The FOA has almost 1,000 pages of technical information on the FOA Guide,
100+ videos and two dozen online courses at Fiber U, all this can make
it difficult to find the right information. Cross Reference To FOA Tech Materials We have also rearranged the 100+ FOA videos in similar categories on the Contents Page of the Online Guide, making the videos, especially the lectures, much it much easier to find a video on a particular topic. FOA Videos Guide.
|
Understanding Calibration Of Fiber Optic InstrumentsCalibration of any instrument is done to determine its measurement
performance compared to actual values of the parameter being measured,
relevant standards and to the manufacturer's specifications. Instruments
are expected to be calibrated periodically by a traceable calibration
lab and sealed to verify the calibration. Below are descriptions of the
calibration of two major fiber optic instruments, OTDRs and power
meters. Part 2 - OTDRs
The loss measured must assume the backscatter coefficient of the
fiber(s) being tested is constant, which may or may not be true if
several different fibers are in a tested link. Remember the variations
in backscatter coefficient can cause gainers, Likewise the measurement
of distance assumes a certain speed of light in the fiber (nominal velocity of propagation (NVP) of light in the
fiber, a function of the index of refraction of the glass) which can also vary from fiber to fiber.
Read more in the FOA Guide:
A contractor recently contacted FOA with a technical question. He was
working on a project where he was measuring the output of a fiber optic
network with his optical power meter. Another worker at the job site
has a different meter and his meter reading was more than 10 dB
different. How could that happen? The first thing we asked was if both were measuring in dBm.
Power meters measure in dBm (dB referenced to 1 milliwatt) for
measuring the actual optical power output of a transmitter or input of a
receiver, but they also have the ability to measure in dB, a relative
scale used for loss measurement. If one of the meters was set on dBm and
the other on dB, the measurements would likely not agree. He had
checked that already and both were set on the dBm scale for power
measurement.  You are probably expecting me to say you cannot trust one of those
cheap imports, but no, we have tested a number of them, and they work
quite well for measuring loss. However,
many have a design flaw that can cause a problem just like this.  Calibration instructions for the meter shown above Calibration means that an instrument has been tested against a
standard and set up to make measurements traceable to that standard.
Within the limits of instrument and measurement uncertainty, your
instrument should measure with the same value as the standard and every
other instrument calibrated to that standard.
Read more in the FOA Guide: Fiber Optic Instruments - Power Meters Calibration And Uncertainty of Fiber Optic Power Meters Good QuestionAre Splices Too Close Together A Problem? |
|
|
Sponsored Content
 OptConn
is a value-add re-seller of optical connectivity products, services and
solutions. With over 30 years of experience in the fiber optics
industry we are here to serve your requirements from fiber optic
training with FOA certification to products, materials and supplies. We have partnerships with industry leading
manufacturers to support your installation, splicing and testing needs.
Our goal is to guide, support and recognized our client’s requirements. |
Updated FOA OTDR Trainer
FOA has rewritten the FOA OTDR Trainer around Fiberizer. The Fiberizer PC
software was the version we used for creating the Trainer, but the basic
techniques apply to all versions of Fiberizer. FOA provides a folder of
sample traces in 3 categories - Parameter Traces, Sample Traces and PON
Traces - around which we build the trainer. If you set up Fiberizer,
you can complete the FOA OTDR Trainer lessons and then use the same
software to analyze other traces you may have, even from other brands of
OTDRs, as long as they are .sor files.
The FOA OTDR Trainer is ready to help you learn about OTDRs. Go to the OTDR Trainer page,
tech/ref/testing/OTDR/OTDRsimulator.html, choose your version of Fiberizer, download the FOA Traces and you are ready to go.
FOA wishes to thank VeEX for permission to use their Fiberizer® software in our OTDR trainer. And our compliments to them for making the ap available on multiple platforms that ensure anybody can use it.
How Good Are Your OTDR Launch/Receive Cables?
FOA received an inquiry about some OTDR traces that showed failures. Quite a few fibers failed at the final connection to the receive cable, indicating that there could be a problem with the connection - dirt of a bad connector on the receive cable. Have you checked the connectors on your OTDR - or OLTS - reference cables recently? You should inspect and clean them regularly - every few connections - to ensure they are good. If they are bad, they will cause false failures on the cable under test.NECA/FOA 301 fiber optic installation standard withdrawn
The NECA/FOA 301 fiber optic installation standard has been
withdrawn. It's almost a quarter century old and a decade since the
last update. It has been decided the standard needs to be replaced with a
more modern document covering current technology and written in a
format that allows easier updating. In the meantime, there is lots of useful information in the standard and you can still download a free copy from FOA.
Download your free copy of ANSI/NECA/FOA-301 here (PDF)
FTTH Technical Papers
FOA contributor Vladimir Grozdanovic has created these technical papers based on his field experiences.
Fiber Optic Ducts And Microducts
Using Fiber Identifiers
Testing The FTTH PON Network (new)
Installation of FTTH Active Equipment in the FOA Guide.
Optical Splitters in the FOA Guide.
Examples of poor installation of FTTH in the aerial outside plant and in the customer premises.
Recycling Fiber Optic Cables? Contact LD4 Recycle
Learning Important Information From A Found Cable Scrap
While walking down the street near the FOA office, we found this cable
laying in the gutter. What a find! A short length of Corning Rocket
Ribbon 864 fiber cable left over from an installation by a contractor. 
We brought the cable back to our office with the intention of opening it up and creating a video about the construction of this modern high fiber count cable, but something got our attention first. The cable had a very long line of printing on it with lots of interesting and useful information. So before we started deconstructing it, we decided to photograph the printed information and interpret it. That turned out to be an important part of the information we learned from the cable. Then, as you will see below, we dissected the cable and learned even more.
Red more about what this cable marking tells you and what the cable looks like when you open it up to prepare for splicing.
Managing Fiber Optic Projects - The Gantt Chart
(With An Excel File To Make Your Own)
The most common way to track projects is the Gantt Chart, a
chart of activities that tracks the progress of projects along a
timeline. each activity is represented by a bar and the position and
length of the bar represents the starting date and duration of the
activity. This allows you to see what activities are needed for the
project, when the activities start and end so it can be used to track
the progress of the project visually. Here is what a Gantt Chart for a
fiber project might look like:
You might remember an article in the FOA Newsletter in April 2022 or the FOA Guide page on Project Management about the timing of a fiber optic project where we showed the progression of steps in a project like this: The Gantt Chart is simply this list converted to a Gantt Chart using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. You can download a copy of the FOA Gantt Chart spreadsheet (xlsx file - 16kB) and use it to create your own Gantt Chart for any project. All you have to do is to input your own data and change the activity names as necessary. You can also follow the directions from Microsoft to create your own version.
Help On Color Codes (Including Copper Cabling And Fiber Optics)
The FOA has created a print-your-own pocket guide to fiber
optic color codes. It has
color codes for fibers and buffer tubes, connectors and premises cables
inside and on the back, QR codes to take you directly to the FOA Guide
and Fiber U. The FOA
Guide page on Fiber Optic Color Codes is one of the most read pages on the FOA
website and the Fiber Optic Color Codes minicourse on Fiber U very popular also.
Here are the links to download your own FOA Guides to Fiber Optic Color Codes
FOA Guide to Fiber Optic Color Codes (print your own version) PDF
FOA Guide to Fiber Optic Color Codes (electronic version for your smartphone, tablet or PC) PDF
And Color Codes For UTP Cabling
FOA Guide to UTP Cabling Color Codes (print your own version) PDF
FOA Guide to UTP Copper Cabling Color Codes (electronic version) PDF
Warning For Techs Doing OSP Restoration
FOA received an inquiry about whether techs
working on restoring OSP links should be concerned about eye safety if
the link used fiber amplifiers. To answer this question, we had to do some research on fiber amplifiers.
The short answer is YES, you should be concerned. The long answer is
more technical and includes details that every OSP tech needs to know.See "Fiber Amps And Restoration" in the FOA Newsletter Archives..
Try The FOA's Online
Loss Budget Calculator
FOA has written many articles about loss budgets, something everyone involved in fiber optics needs to know and needs to know how to calculate. We've created a online Loss Budget Calculator that does the work for you. Just input your cable plant data and it calculates the loss budget. It works on any device, especially smartphones and tablets for field use and even allows printing the results.
Bookmark this page (especially on your smartphone): FOA Loss Budget Calculator Online
Worth Reading
Each month we read hundreds of newsletters and online articles. These are the ones we think you will find "worth reading."
FOA has a web page with resources on fiber broadband networks and the IIJA/BEAD funding programs.
Cross Reference Guide to FOA Textbooks, Online Guide and Fiber U
FOA Timeline of Fiber Optic History and the new FOA video "The History Of Fiber Optics"
AT&T PR photo from the mid 1970sThe FOA's History
Stories From The Past FOA Newsletters
- Last Gasp For Multimode Fiber?
-
Who Lost Lucent? The Decline of America's Telecom Industry.
- How Many Fibers? Optimal cable Size.
- Women Installers In Alaska. .
- Building Rural FTTH - Learning From The History Of Rural Electrification.
-
Warning For Techs Doing Restoration (Fiber Amplification).
- The Future Of Work Is Skills - So Stop Worrying About Degrees - The reality is the future of work is about skills, not just degrees. (FOA Newsletter Feb 2020)
Recent articles from The FOA Newsletter
Fake OTDR Traces Submitted For Testing Documentation January 2023 Tech
Using OTDRs To Test Transoceanic Cables And PONs February 2023
POF - the Other Fiber March 2023
What Do Employers Expect From A Fiber Optic Tech? April 2023
Are Standards Ignoring The OSP? May 2023
FOA Has Proven Results In Fiber Optic Workforce Development June 2023
BEAD Funding For States Announced And Analyzed July 2023
Wisdom From The Street (Analyzing the printing on a fiber optic cable) July 2023
Focus On Disasters August 2023
FOA's Role In Education and Work Done By Fiber Techs September 2023
The Workforce: New US DoL Bureau of Labor Statistics Telecom Tech Category October 2023
How Many Telecom Techs Do We Need and How Big Is The Fiber Optic Market November 2023
Guidelines For Fiber Optic Project Planners December 2023
2023 Year In Review. Kentucky Shows The Value Of Fiber January 2024.
What is Broadband? History of the Cable Modem February 2024
It's Just Economics. Things you need to know. March 2024.
Fiber To The Shore - Undersea cables along the coast April, 2024.
The Future Of The Fiber Tech May 2024.
Worth Reading (And
Watching Or Listening):
AprilIndex Of Articles Fiber Broadband Networks From The Fiber Optic Association - dozens of articles on fiber broadband over the last 4 years.
How federal funds and horses brought broadband to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Light Reading
Russia seeds chatbots with lies. Any bad actor can game AI the same way. - The Washington Post (It works like search engine optimization)
PEACE cable cut could be a long-term problem - Developing Telecoms
Think about who’s opposing municipal broadband - American Association for Public Broadband.
Previously:
Jon Stewart expresses dismay at BEAD bureaucracy - Broadband Communities - YouTube video interview with Ezra Klein of NY TImes.
The Fiber Optic Association Reaches Milestone - ISE Magazine
FOA certifies over 100,000 fiber optic technicians.
2024 Optical Fiber Reference Guide - M2 Optics A comprehensive list of single mode and multimode optical fibers currently available from several of the world’s leading manufacturers. Very useful.
The State Of Fiber Optics In The Utility Industry - Utility Expo
Podcast
Telecommunications Industry Therapy Podcast: Future of The Fiber Optic Network
JULY 10, 2024 by Scott Stekr and Michelle Kang of Telecommunications Industry Forum interview Jim Hayes, President of The Fiber Optic Association to provide clarification on what fiber optic networks are, who builds them, and what the FOA is doing to help train and grow the workforce.
Deep Dives (Takes a while to read but worth it)
Investing In Fiber Optic Networks -Hexatronic - not like venture capital investing, but how financial decisions in network design may have big effects on the total cost of a network.
VIAVI "NITRO" Fiber Sensing Solutions - VIAVI is offering systems to use fibers as sensors for finding cabling problems, structural monitoring and security. Focus is on electrical power transmission, piplelines, and critical infrastructure. IT might apply to your network.
Investing in Middle Mile Can Help Communities Achieve Broadband Equity. US Ignite
Quote of the month, May 2024: “Middle mile is like the middle child that keeps getting ignored. If we continue ignoring it, at one point in time, we will not be able to connect all of these new last mile connections that we are planning on building in the next four years.” Sachin Gupta, Director of Government Business & Economic Development at Centranet.
Obstacles to Fiber Optic Workforce Training and Certification ISE Magazine
Recent Articles
Responsible Fiber Deployment: Strategies for Protection and Damage Prevention - Excavation Safety Alliance - YouTube video, 1hr.
Can Our Industry Develop Fiber Talent? ISE Magazine. Learn how states, schools and training organizations must work together to develop fiber field talent.
Landlines are dying out. But to some, they’re a lifeline. Washington Post Providers want to scale back landline service, but people with poor cell reception still rely on it for emergencies.
Pre-Excavation Safety Checklist (PDF) - Excavation Safety Alliance - essential steps before breaking ground for underground construction.
Fiber vs Wireless - Are You Kidding? ISE Magazine Of course we need both!Developing a Fiber Workforce Really Does Take A Village - ISE magazine looks at the role of manufacturers' training in developing the fiber workforce.
How Many More Fiber Techs Do We Really Need? - ISE Magazine
CABL® (cabl.com) serves the business needs of the Broadband industry (including traditional cable TV, fiber, telecom and satellite providers) with employment listings, classified ads, discussion forums, and more. A contractor told us it's where they find lots of opportunities for subcontracting.
Do You Believe In Magic? Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ISE Magazine.
The 45 Year Old Overnight Sensation - ISE Magazine (Read the complete Nov/Dec issue of ISE Magazine here.
ESRI has created an ebook on GIS location technology for telecom. Use the link to download the book.
Conocimiento Esencial: ¿Por qué la fibra óptica? creado por FiberWizards
Recruiting And Training Today's Fiber Optic Workforce - Learn the fundamentals to recruit and train new fiber optics -ISE Magazine.
Google Video On Their Undersea Cables YouTube Slick but interesting video on how undersea cables are designed, built and used.
Construction Without Disruption - ISE Magazine
Fiber Optics Installed By The Lowest Bidder - ISE Magazine
Building Broadband During Component and Worker Shortages
- Broadband Communities - Completing broadband builds requires
competent fiber optic techs, but training them requires understanding
how they learn.
Worth Reading - Magazines, Websites and Newsletters
CABL® (cabl.com) serves
the business needs of the Broadband industry (including traditional
cable TV, fiber, telecom and satellite providers) with employment
listings, classified ads, discussion forums, and more. A contractor told us it's where they find lots of opportunities for subcontracting.
The Institute for Local
Self-Reliance weekly newsletter has
lots of interesting articles and links.
Next Century Cities Newsletter
- News from cities around the US
including Detroit and New York plus small
RTI Telecom Magazine from Brazil, in Portuguese. A revista RTI do mês de abril já está disponível online e recomendo a leitura de alguns artigos:
Worth Reading - History & Technical
FOA was founded in 1995 - FOA's History
As part of celebrating 3 decades serving the fiber optic industry as its primary source of technical information and independent certifying body, FOA thought it appropriate to create a short history of the organization and how it has developed to help the fiber optic industry. We also wanted to recognize the contributions many people have made to the organization over the years that made FOA what it is today.The FOA history is on the FOA website where you can read it or link to it.
1983 Video of AT&T's First Test Of A Submarine Cable System From the AT&T Tech Channel archives (worth exploring!)
Richard Epworth's Optical Fiber History from his work at STL from 1966 with Charles Kao.
50th Anniversary of The Development of Low Loss Fibers A history of the development of low loss fiber, a fascinating story by Jeff Hecht on the OSA (Optical Society of America) website.
The First Transcontinental Telephone Line began operation on July 29th in 1915 - 3400 miles between New York and San Francisco - required over 100,000 telephone poles! Wonders of World Engineering
"Who Lost Lucent?: The Decline of America's Telecom Equipment Industry"
This is a MUST READ for managers in telecom or any industry!
Communications Systems Grounding Rules: Article 800 provides specific requirements by Michael Johnston, NECA Executive Director of Standards and Safety in EC Magazine
How To Build Rural Broadband, Learning From History
In the August 2021 FOA Newsletter, we published a lengthy article on rural broadband and compared it to rural electrification in America in the last century. Much of the comparison was based on an article written in 1940 by a USDA economist, Robert Beall, called "Rural Electrification." If you are interested in or involved in rural broadband, we recommend you read the article "How To Build Rural Broadband, Learning From History" in the August 2021 FOA Newsletter and read the Beall article also.
Recycling Fiber Optic Cable - Contact:
Steve Maginnis
LD4Recycle/ CommuniCom Recycling
(Visit website)
sm@LD4Recycle.com
803.371.5436
Sumitomo's Ribbon Splicing Guide - download from one of the leaders in splicing.
OFS also has an excellent website and blog of tech articles worth browsing.
IEC 60050 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - An extensive dictionary for fiber optics in English and French. Highly technical - this is one definition: "mode - one solution of Maxwell's equations, representing an electromagnetic field in a certain space domain and belonging to a family of independent solutions defined by specified boundary conditions"
Restoration: If you are interested in restoration -
aren't we all? - you should also read this
article in dpPro magazine by FOA President Jim
Hayes: Damage Protection Requires
Looking Overhead As Well As Underground
- dpPRO Magazine - about the problems with
aerial cables. His previous article for the
magazine was New Techniques for Fiber
Optic Installation.
Universal access to broadband
is a cornerstone to a strong economy,
Achieving universal access will require
community partnerships. by Alfreda
B. Norman, Sr. VP, Federal Reserve Bank of
Dallas
FIBER TO THE FARM: The
co-ops that electrified Depression-era farms are
now building rural internet. Be sure to check out
the high-tech equine installation equipment.
Infrastructure Get Some
Respect, NY TImes "On Tech"
"The magic of the internet requires a lot of
very boring stuff behind the scenes. "
Fiber Trivia From Corning.
VIAVI Books On Fiber Optic Testing (2 volumes) - They're back!
Besides the FOA reference materials, two JDSU/VIAVI textbooks, Reference Guide to Fiber Optic Testing, Volumes 1 and 2, were used as references for some of the FOA courses and are recommended for instructors and students. The books are available from VIAVI as eBooks and the everyone should download them and recommend them to others.Download yours now. Volume 1. Volume 2. Viavi Books
Ciena's Submarine Cable Handbooks (4 to download)
How OFS Makes Fiber
Interesting YouTube video on how fiber is made. Perhaps a little too much "show biz" but fascinating. If you have ever seen fiber manufacture, look at this video. You will be amazed at how big preforms have become!
The True Cost of Telco Damages (what backhoe fade or target practice can cost)
Rural Electric Cooperatives: Pole Attachment Policies and Issues, June 2019.
Q&A
When readers ask us questions, we genrally refer them to FOA
resources where they can find the answer to their question and many
more. We first send them to the FOA Guide
which is the table of contents for the FOA technical resources. There
they can find pages indexed by topic and a search engine for the FOA
website. It also links them to FOA videos and courses on our free online learning site Fiber U.
The FOA Fiber FAQs Page (FAQs = frequently asked questions) gathers up questions readers have asked us (which first ran in this newsletter) and adds tech topics of general interest.
Good Question!
Tech
Questions/Comments From FOA Newsletter Readers
More Q&A in the FOA FAQs Page
Are Splices Too Close Together A Problem?
Q: When installing fiber in an plant. Is there a minimum distance that two splices should be apart? ;
A: The recommendation in the past was to bot have splices close
together since slight reflectances at the splices could cause an
interference problem with laser systems. The recommendation was to keep
splices 30-100m apart. IT was especially noted if you had to splice in a
section of cable to repair a cable break. However we have not heard
this in recent history, perhaps because fusion splices are so good. We
asked a number of FOA's technical advisors for their opinions. Their
feedback is the problem of reflectance causing problems at closely
spaced splices seems to have disappeared. It’s a matter of better
splicing machines and more consistent fibers, and also a matter of
lasers being engineered to work better in links.
Copper Tech Wants To Learn Fiber Optics
Q: I am originally from copper installations and faults
finding. I would like to get involved in Optic fibre faults and
finding, how do I go if there is a possible training it will be highly
appreciated,
A: Just learn about fiber, especially fiber testing and troubleshooting. Fiber U has courses you can take for free.
OSP Installation Standards
Q: I'm looking for standards for fiber optic OSP installation.
A: The whole issue of OSP standards has been one FOA been
trying to get standards bodies interested in for years with little
success, probably because it is an enormous project. Right now there are
two documents that address OSP cable plant:
ITU-T Technical Report, TR-OFCS Optical fibres, cables and systems, (3 July 2015)
As you can see, the ITU document is almost 10 years old and a lot has changed in that time.
The Other is the Telcordia Blue Book - Expensive but thorough
Telcordia Blue Book - Manual of Construction Procedures
Document Number SR-1421, Issue Number 07, Issue Date Jan 2023
Is The FOA CFOT® A License?
Q: Can you use a CFOT certification to install fiber and charge for it? Or do you need other licenses as well? ;
A: FOA Certification is considered evidence of competence and
accepted worldwide by many companies, groups, etc. Licenses are a legal
credential required by local authorities to conduct business for
anything from a barber to a truck triver to contractors doing fiber or
other work. Most locales require a license as a contractor which may
require a fiber specialty. You need to investigate this with your local
authorities.
Pulling Fiber Optic Cables In Metal Conduit
Q: Often when constructing fibre, it is encased in steel pipes (e.g. when being attached to buildings or bridges.
I am seeking guidance on a case where the encasement has to make a right
angle (or less) turn. How is the installation done? Considering
possible challenges in duct laying and fibre pushing / blowing
A: The bend radius of the conduit should be kept large to not cause
excess friction on the cable that would require high pulling tension.
Low friction plastic duct can be pulled into the conduit first or cable
lubricant used before the cable is pulled into the duct or conduit.
Radiation Effects In Fiber Optic Cables
Q: We were asked about fiber optic cables in presents of nuclear
radiation in reactors. Will radiation affect the glass fiber?. Is jacket
material affected by radiation?
A: This has been a topic of discussion and study since the first
optical fiber use, first relative to use in nuclear power plants and
nuclear powered subs and ships. Today fiber is used in satellites and
the ISS. Fiber can be sensitive to radiation and is therefore used as a
sensor for radiation in some experiments. Normal fibers work in most
environments - wherever t is safe for humans - and special fibers and
cables are used in high-radiation areas.
PC and APC Connectors
Q: Can you confirm whether there is a 1 mm gap in APC and UPC optical connectors?
A: PC, UPC and APC connectors are all physical contact connectors -
that’s what “PC” means. If you had a gap between the connectors when
making a connection you would have higher loss and reflectance except on
the APC.
Broken Fibers
Q: What could be the main reasons for this? A buried fibre cable has
broken cores, such that different cores break at different distances
(e.g. core 1 and 2 break at 6 km, core 5 and 9 break at 28km, etc) Why
would a core break at a point where other cores are not even showing a
loss?
A: A likely cause is exceeding the pulling tension or bend radius of
the cable during installation. How it affects fibers could be due to
the alignment of fibers at different points or how the cable was
stressed during installation. Often fiber is pulled using pulleys too
small or over a small radius exiting a duct.
Questions On Restoration Repair;
Q: I have been in several debates about fiber restoration, and
whether a cable being repaired should have all the fibers spliced
through the damage or just the active ones. The people I have the debate
with typically use the line "we follow industry standards" I am
inquiring about where I may find this issue referenced? I have many of
your books (if not all) but it would help me save time if you could tell
me where this specific issue is addressed? For the record, I am for
splicing all cables through and making the cable whole, to reduce
troubleshooting, and the ability to utilize existing fiber to install
new customers or roll a customer to a different fiber if their assigned
fiber needs to be repaired.
A: Let’s address the standards issue first. OSP standards are almost
nonexistent.. When it comes to restoration itself, the goal should be
to restore service as quickly as possible- e.g. splice enough fibers for
current service - then complete the restoration to return the cable
plant to its condition before the damage was done. Considering the time
required to locate, have techs drive to the site, prepare the cable for
repair and then return the cable plant to a secure situation (aerial or
underground), it seems “penny wise and pound foolish” to not complete
the jonb by splicing all the fibers. Do those who argue otherwise think
saving a few minutes now justifies having to do another major project in
the future to restore the other fibers?
Past Questions
OTDR Measures Fiber Length
Q: What property (or defect) of SM G.652D could possibly lead to
span length (fiber length determined by OTDR) being shorter than cable
length? The cable length is 2.517km vs 2.508km fiber length.*
A: It is not uncommon for the OTDR measured fiber distance to differ
from the cable distance read from the cable jacket. OTDR measurements
have errors typically greater than the differences you gave. However
there is another likely difference. THe OTDR measures time of flight
(test pulse out and return) to the end of the cable and calculates the
length based on the index of refraction of the fiber. Most cables have a
fiber length about 1% longer than the cable length to prevent stress on
the fiber when the cable is pulled, so your results showing the fiber
length as being shorter indicated the particular fiber in the cable has
an index of refraction that is different from the value being used by
the OTDR. This is a parameter which can be set if you know the proper
value for the fibers used in the cable.
What is Long Haul?
Q: Do we have a characterisation for long haul plant in terms of
length? How long should a fibre plant be to be called long haul? How
long is a metro and a campus fibre? Apart from length, are there any
other features required for a fibre plant to be called "long haul"?
A: There is no standard definition for “long haul,” but most people probably use the following guidelines:
Long haul: >20km
Metro: 2-20km
Campus: <2km
Premises: <500m
Again, there are no standards for the term “long haul,” so while most
long haul today is high speed (>10Gb/s) and may include WDM, some
long haul systems for special applications like electrical utility grid
monitoring may go long distances but at very low bit rates.
What's The Light Path Link
Q: Generally, how much does the distance travelled by the light
pulse (one way) differ from the length of the fibre (as measured on the
drum) There are probably differences (how ever small) between the
path of the light pulse (as it ping-pongs inside the core) and the
length of the strand.
A: In singlemode fiber, the light path length is the fiber length.
In multimode fiber it depends on the type of fiber and the individual
modes. Cable is generally made with the fiber being about 1% longer than
the cable to prevent tension on the cable elongating it and stressing
the fiber.
Reducing Attenuation
Q: What is the best way of reducing fiber optic attenuation
A: In any cable plant, the loss comes from the loss of the optical
fiber and loss at joints (splices or mated connectors) plus any stress
losses caused by bad installation of the cable. For a give cable plant,
the options are lower loss fiber or lower loss at joints. If you need
lower loss, the fiber loss is a function of the attenuation coefficient
(dB/km) times the length (km)., e.g 0.4dB/km X 10 km = 4.0 dB. So if the
length is fixed, you can try to find lower loss fiber. The loss at
joints is a fucntion of the methods of joining. Splices have very low
loss - 0.1 dB or less on singlemode fiber. slightly more on multimode
fiber. Connections can have loss from 0.1 dB to more than 0.5 dB,
depending on the type of connector chosen. On SM fiber, if connecctors
are top quality fusion splice on connectors and are properly cleaned
loss can be under 0.2 dB. Some connectors like the MPO multifiber array
connector can have losses up to 0.75 dB or more. Replacing connectors
with fusion splices is also a way to lower loss at joints. Here is a
reference to loss budgets: https://foa.org/tech/lossbudg.htm
Safe handling of fiber optics;
Q: Is there a particular glove recommended for safe handling of
FO's? I appreciate dexterity in handling may be important, but glass
shards / splinters into the skin is a significant risk as well. There
are vague references to using gloves, but looking for the preferred /
recommended type of glove.
A: Gloves are hard to use when dealing with bare fiber but thin
surgical gloves work for some people. Regular gloves are too clumsy and
some cannot stop fiber penetration. When working with cable, especially
armored cable or large cables, work gloves are good protection. You can
also get kevlar gloves that resist cuts but are flexible and cooler.
They are often advertised as kitchen gloves to prevent knife cuts.
Fault Location
Q: How do you detect fault location of fiber optics in the field? How much time it takes to detect geo-location?
A: The simple answer is an OTDR but the physical location depends on
cable plant documentation and location data like GIS data. The time
depends on the availability of data and equipment. Minutes to days?
"Certified' Cables
Q: we will be using a large number of fiber cables . We have
specific testing and reporting requirements for the cables that are
shipped to us. Each end needs to be tested in accordance with
IEC-61300-3-35, IEC 61300-1:2022 with automated analysis microscopy.
Instead of purchasing the cables and getting them certified upon
receiving them, is there an option out there that allows you to purchase
Fiber Optic Cables that have already been certified according to the
above listed requirements and come with some sort of clear proof of
that?
A: The question is the matter of definition of “certified.”
Generally it means testing to a standard as you note. Any reputable
manufacturer of these cables will supply documentation with the cables
that includes loss testing and connector inspection reports. If
the cable manufacturer does not supply that documentation, I suggest
finding another supplier. At incoming, it may be desirable to do a
AQL sampling, but testing these cables is very specialized. Not many
contractors are equipped with the special test equipment needed.
Calibrating Multimode Optical Power Meters
Q: Should I be calibrating multimode optical power meters with an
LED source or a laser? I know that standards call for testing multimode
loss with LEDs not lasers.
A: The reason standards call for testing MM fiber with LEDs is the
coherence of lasers leads to modal noise in the fibers and unpredictable
variations in loss. But the wide spectral width of LEDs makes
calibration less accurate than when using lasers at the correct
wavelengths. Calibrate meters with lasers, test fibers with LEDs.
Color Codes On Higher Fiber Count Cables
Q: Why do buffer tubes 13-24 repeat the colors with a black stripe
(black will have a yellow stripe)? Why does it start with black
stripe vs starting with blue? And what happens when you get to black
tube color again do you skip it?
A: Color codes are an interesting topic. The basic color codes go
back to the beginnings of multi-pair phone cables. TIA added color codes
for premises cable jackets and connectors in TIA-598 to the 1-12 color
codes for fibers and buffer tubes. FOA covers that basic system in the
online Guide here: https://foa.org/tech/ColCodes.htm
The question about the second black fiber, fiber 20, is an interesting
one. Many cables use black with a yellow stripe but Corning uses a clear
buffer with a black stripe.
https://www.corning.com/catalog/coc/documents/application-engineering-notes/AEN029.pdf
It turns out that cable manufacturers don’t all do it the same way
for higher fiber counts. Most use the 1-12 colors for fibers and the
same for buffer tubes. 12 fibers per colored buffer tube is the
tradition, but there are 24 fibers in some tubes, so it’s 1-24 colors.
Ribbon cables are another story. With the older hard ribbon designs,
cable manufacturers often printed information on each ribbon. Those are
becoming obsolete and you can’t print on the new flexible ribbons the
same way, so I’ve seen schemes to print dots and dashes on the fibers in
the ribbons!
So what we have is a standard, but standards are voluntary, so not everybody follows them!
Repairing Fiber Optic Connector Ferrules
Q: Can you take an existing fiber optic number connector and polish
the end if the end is to dirty or damaged that it cannot be cleaned via
dry or wet methods?
A: Yes, using special polishing techniques. We have a page on that in the FOA Guide: Fiber Optic Connector Repair
Grounding Armored Jumper Cables
Q: Do you need to bond/ground FTTH drop "jumpers" that ise an armored cable?
A: Yes, just like any other cable that has conductive elements. A
manufacturer of the cables Tinifiber seems to agree:
https://tinifiber.com/bonding-and-grounding-armored-fiber-cable/
I do not know of any fiber optic connectors that address this, unlike the RJ-45/modular 8-pin connectors for UTP copper.
Disoposal Of Fiber Optic Cables
Q: How does an organization dispose of unwanted fiber optic cables in an environmentally safe manner?
A: We recommend that users save some reels leftover from an installation
for possible use in restoration. If a cable break occurs, getting cable
quickly can be a problem. We also have a contact who says he can
recycle fiber optic cable:
Contact: Steve Maginnis, LD4Recycle/ CommuniCom Recycling, (Visit
website https://ld4recycle.com), sm@LD4Recycle.com, 803.371.5436
Otherwise, it is basically landfill.
Finding Buried Fiber Optic Cables
Q: We have a client that needs their private fiber
located. We have been on site and confirmed the lines were
installed with no tracer wire or conductive conduit/sheathing.
Want to know if you had any suggestions on how to locate or if there was
specialized equipment that I am aware of.
A: Interesting question on an important topic. The answer is a
qualified maybe. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can sometimes spor fiber
optic cable, maybe more easily if it is in duct or conduit. It requires
someone with a lot of experince in GPR. There are companies around the
US with this capability. Then there is a new proposal using the sensing
capability of fiber with above ground vibrators. Nothing commercial is
available here as far as I know.
https://www.winlab.rutgers.edu/~hansiiii/papers/OECC_2020_Liu.pdf
Fiber Optics For Alarm Systems
Q: Can you please help me with having information about if do you know
if someone did use fiber for complete fire alarm systems, sensor, smoke
detectors, panels etc.
A: FOA checked with my technical contact at the IBEW, Jim Simpson, for this topic. Here is his answer:
NFPA does indeed have requirements for fiber in fire alarm systems. Keep
in mind, the requirements may vary depending on which edition of NFPA
72 the jurisdiction has adopted. The info below is based on the 2022
NFPA 72.
- Chapter 12 covers Circuits and Pathways
- Section 27.4 covers Communications Methods
- Section 27.7 covers Public Cable Plant
Updating FOA Courses And Reference Materials
Q: How often are FOA courses updated? And when they get updated, what happens to those who would have done a previous version?
A: The FOA certifications are updated as needed to stay current with
technology and applications. Udates are incremental and we do not
require current certification holders to retake courses or exams. Some
of our updates are almost humorous. For example, over the last 20 years
the definitions of “hybrid” and “composite” cables have flipped twice in
several international standards. At the last time, we changed all
references to these cable types in all our materials to note the
confusion it creates, then purged all questions from our exams that
covered this confusing topic.
Older questions can be found on the FAQs page.
Fiber Optic Color Codes Reference Chart
Q: Has anyone made a fiber optic pocket reference chart that has cable color orders, frequencies, or other commonly used info on it?
A: The FOA has a page on its Online Guide that covers color codes (https://foa.org/tech/ColCodes.htm). It is the most popular page in the FOA Guide! It works great with a smartphone.
More Q&A in the FOA FAQs Page
The word on the "Dig Once" program is getting out - FOA is getting calls from cities asking us for information and advice. Here are some links:
The DoT page on the administration’s Executive Order: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/otps/exeorder.cfm
And the one to download and hand out:
A “How To” Guide from The Global Connect Initiative: https://share.america.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6.-GCI-Dig-Once.pdf
Training / FiberU
News and resources to help you learn more and stay updated.
Learn about the fiber optic/ broadband workforce
Find a listing of all the FOA-Approved schools here.
Free online self-study programs on many fiber optics and cabling topics are available at Fiber U, FOA's online web-based training website.
Free online training at Fiber U
The FOA has >100 videos on
Online Credentials For FOA Schools And Certified Instructors
FOA switched to online credentials 1-1/2 years ago. Now every active FOA
certified fiber optic and premises cabling tech has an online
credential they can use to prove their certification, print paper
certificates and share on social media. When they add another
certification or renew, their online credential is updated. FOA has now expanded the online credentials to its network of FOA Approved training organizations and FOA Certified Fiber Optic Instructors (CFOS/I and CPCT/I.) Now FOA Approved training organizations and FOA Certified Fiber Optic Instructors can now also share their credentials online.
Those evaluating fiber optic or premises cabling training organizations will be able to quickly determine the status of the training organization they are considering by following the link to the organizations online credential. Likewise the qualifications of the instructor are also available on their online credential which lists all their FOA certifications.
More about FOA's network of approved training organizations.
The Types of Work Done By Fiber Techs And How It Affects Training
What is a fiber optic technician? What kinds of work do they do? Those topics were the center of FOA discussions with the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics that led to the new job category of "Telecommunications Technician" on the BLS website. The focus of this job category is primarily the installation and operation of the fiber optic cable plant, but one should not forget the cable plant must be designed also as part of a more extensive communications network.
In our discussion with the BLS analysts, we pointed out the various stages of a fiber optic communications network project and how techs with various knowledge and skill sets are needed and involved in every step. Here is how FOA defines these stages of a project and the skills of the techs. This is not unique to FOA; it's what has been traditional at telecom companies forever.
Planning and Design: Once needs for a communications network is established, project managers will be responsible for all the details of the project while experienced fiber techs trained and experienced in fiber optic network design (CFOS/D) will design the cable plant itself. (FOA Guide - Design)
Construction: Aerial cable plants may require installing new poles or doing make-ready on existing poles and messengers. Underground construction requires trenching and installation of ducts. In many cases the actual construction is done by general construction workers, as the construction work in many cases is not unique to fiber optics. Heavy machinery is required for much of the construction work and training is focused on safety as well as operating the machinery. (FOA Guide - Construction)
Fiber Optic Cable Installers: Once the route is prepared, the fiber optic cable can be installed. Aerial cable installation depends on the type of cable. Regular OSP cable, figure 8 cable and ADSS cable requires special hardware and installation techniques so the techs must understand the process appropriate for each cable. (FOA Guide - Installation)
Splicers: Since the beginning, fiber techs have been called "splicers" because that was the original job unique to fiber optics. Construction and cable installation was not very different from earlier copper cables, but splicing was very different. Even today, fiber techs are often called splicers and splicing is a core skill for any fiber tech whether they are joining cables or terminating them. (FOA Guide - Splicing)
Testers: After the fiber optic cable is installed and spliced, it must be tested. Testing goes together with splicing since every splice will be tested, often as soon as it is made so if it needs redoing, it should be done before the splice closure is sealed. (FOA Guide - Testing)
Network Operators: Once the cable plant is built and the communications equipment installed, it needs techs who know how to operate the comms but may only know how to connect new gear or change connections on current gear. These techs should also know how to troubleshoot systems in an outage and either do the restoration themselves or call a tech who can. (FOA Guide - Operation)
These categories merely define the stages of installation of a fiber optic project. Of course there are subsets of these categories and most fiber techs are expected to have skills and jobs that cross into multiple groups, as FOA has defined in the KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) for a CFOT.
What an individual worker does differs according to their job. An independent fiber contractor may cover every job except operation and a FTTH subscriber installation tech may only understand installing cables, testing and connecting equipment within the scope of FTTH systems. A construction company may handle the trenching and even pole setting as well as parts of the traditional fiber work.
The FOA defined its role early on to focus on educating and certifying techs in the fiber specific skills: cable installation, splicing, testing and restoration. FOA would like to see more schools get into the construction phase, especially for newer techniques like microtrenching and blowing cable, but these require large outdoor areas for training and large investments in equipment. Most techs who learn these processes now do it with OJT - on-the-job-training - and hopefully get OSHA training for safety.
FOA School News
FOA's roster of approved schools is growing as more organizations recognize our expertise in workforce development and our comprehensive support for getting new schools started. FOA has over 25 years experience and nearly 100,000 certified fiber techs (with ~130,000 certifications). As a non-profit organization founded by the industry specifically to develop a competent workforce, FOA provides the consultation, curriculum and contacts to get schools started as a free service to new schools.
Complete listing of FOA Approved Training Organizations
Need A Fiber Optic Course Onsite? Invite an FOA School To Come To You
FOA often gets inquiries from an organization that
has personnel that needs training in fiber optics. Recent inquiries have
included contractors, a manufacturer of high-reliability products using
fiber optics and a cable manufacturer. In many cases, where there are
several people needing training, FOA can recommend a FOA Approved School
and Certified Instructor who will come to their location to teach a
class. The advantage is of course the savings in travel costs if
the class comes to you, but it also offers the opportunity to customize
the course to fit your needs, even use your equipment or work on your
components, so the training is more relevant to those taking the class.Contact FOA to discuss the idea of a custom, on-site class to see if it will better meet your needs.
Fiber U On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program
The FOA Fiber U OJT program for novices combines online study at Fiber U with OJT with mentoring by experienced co-workers and their supervisor to help new employees develop into experienced FOA-certified technicians.
The FOA Fiber U “OJT-To-Cert” program includes both fiber optics and premises cabling (copper, fiber & wireless), so it covers techs working in both outside plant and premises jobs.
Like other FOA programs, the OJT-To-Cert program is free. If you and/or your company is interested in the FOA OJT-To-Cert program, contact FOA.
To explain how OJT
works and FOA's OJT-To-Cert program, FOA created a
short video: Lecture 62: On
The Job Training For Fiber Optics Using Fiber
U
FOA
Direct Certification Program For Experienced Fiber Optic Techs
Experience Plus Online Study At Fiber U = FOA Certification
Experienced fiber optic technicians can become FOA Certified using their experience in fiber optics and study for the FOA certification exams online at Fiber U. Thousands of industry professionals have applied to the FOA directly for certification without the need for classroom training, based on their knowledge and skills developed working the field. Since FOA certifications are based on KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities), current techs can show the skills and abilities required through their field experience. FOA provides free online self-study courses at Fiber U for the knowledge part to prepare you for FOA certification exams which you can also take online.
If you are an experienced field tech interested in certification, and FOA is the internationally recognized certifying body for fiber optics, you can find out more about the FOA Direct Certification Program here.
If you are already a CFOT, FOA also offers many specialist certifications you can obtain based on your experience as a field tech. See what's available at Fiber U.
Fiber U "Basic Fiber Optics" Online Self-Study Course Now In Spanish
El curso de autoaprendizaje en línea "Fibra óptica básica" de Fiber U ahora en español
El sitio de aprendizaje en línea de FOA, Fiber U, tiene más de dos docenas de cursos de autoaprendizaje gratuitos sobre fibra óptica y cableado de instalaciones. Como era de esperar, el tema más popular es el curso "Fibra óptica básica", que se utiliza para iniciarse en la fibra óptica y como curso de preparación para realizar el examen de certificación FOA CFOT.
Ahora el curso básico de fibra óptica está disponible en español, utilizando el libro de texto FOA en español, la sección de la Guía en línea en español y la capacidad de YouTube para traducir subtítulos de video al español. El curso funciona exactamente como la versión en inglés con 10 lecciones, cada una con cuestionarios y una opción para tomar un examen de Certificado de finalización.
Para presentar el nuevo curso de
español Fiber U, el examen Certificate of
Completion es gratuito, así que dígaselo a sus
contactos.
Curso Básico de Fibra Óptica
de Fibra U en español.
New Fiber U Course: Fiber Characterization
FOA has added a new course at Fiber U on Fiber Characterization. Fiber
characterization is the process for testing long fiber cable plants for
its ability for carrying high speed communications. With so many
networks now operating at 100, 200, 400 or even 800 Gb/s, fiber
characterization is important, especially on older fiber optic cable
plants.The free Fiber U Fiber Characterization course is available in two forms, as a standalone Fiber U fiber Characterization Course with its own Fiber U Certificate of Completion and as a separate Lesson in the Fiber U Fiber Optic Testing course. This course is recommended for those studying for the FOA CFOS/FC Fiber Characterization certification.
Fiber U MiniCourses: Got An Hour Or Less? Learn Something New About Fiber Optics.
FOA has introduced a new type of Fiber U course, the MiniCourse, a free online course you could take in a short time, perhaps as you ate lunch at your desk or took a coffee break. The topics of these courses should explain what they are about, and these are all very important topics to fiber optic techs.
New Fiber U MiniCourse - Fiber Optic Jargon
There is a new MiniCourse at Fiber U - Fiber Optic Jargon. Jargon is the most important thing you need to learn when you learn about a new technology. This short Fiber U MiniCourse is intended to introduce you to fiber optic jargon and make learning about fiber much easier. It's aimed at novices but is a good refresher for even experienced techs.
Fiber Optics In Communications
Fiber Optic Jargon
How Optical Fiber Works
Fiber Optic Network Restoration
Fiber Optic Connector Identification
Fiber U Color Codes
The Mysterious dB of Fiber Optics
Fiber Optic Cable Bend Radius
Fiber Optic Link Loss And Power Budgets
Fiber Optic Connector Inspection And Cleaning
Fiber Optic Media Conversion
Fiber Optic Cable Midspan Access
Reading An OTDR Trace
Reference Cables For Testing
Fiber Optic Attenuators
The courses have two components, video lectures and readings, that are complementary. As usual there is a self-test to allow you to check your comprehension. As with other Fiber U courses if you desire, you can take a short test for a Fiber U Certificate of Completion that costs only $10.
All these free courses and many more are available at Fiber U.
What Fiber Techs
Don't Know -
What We Learn From FOA Certification Tests
As FOA moves more testing over to our digital online testing system at ClassMarker, we have access to more data about our testing, including what questions and topics on the tests are answered incorrectly most often. Having this data gives us an opportunity to evaluate the questions and how they are stated, but more importantly it allow us to help our instructors teach the subjects and us to change our curriculum and online courses to emphasize these particular topics. These are some of the topics that we have noticed are answered incorrectly more often in FOA and Fiber U tests.
Most of the questions missed are on testing.
1. OTDRs - particularly what information is in the OTDR trace.
2. The difference between dB and dBm
3. Loss budgets - both the concepts and doing the math
4. Insertion loss testing - single-ended or double ended for testing patchcords or cable plants, how to set 0dB references
5. Units of measure - fiber is measured in microns, wavelengths in nanometers, etc.
At FOA, we're working to add Fiber U MiniCourses on these topics and working with our schools to emphasize these topics in their classes.
If you are going to be taking a FOA certification course or test in the near future, these topics should be on your final exam study list.
What We Learn From Hands On Labs
We learn about students performance in hands-on labs from the feedback of our instructors and our own experiences too. One big problem is the use of hand tools. Growing up today, you learn how to use keyboards, mouses and touch screens, but decades ago, you also learned how to use basic hand tools. This is big enough of a problem that we're considering adding some video lessons on basic hand tools to prepare students for cable prep, termination and splicing that require the use of hand tools.
FOA offers free online self-study programs at Fiber U. Many users are preparing for FOA certification programs - taking courses at our schools or using the Direct Certification program. Some of our schools are requiring Fiber U programs as prerequisites for their classroom courses so they can spend more time on hands-on activities.
Publications / Resources
Cross Reference To FOA Tech Materials
FOA has so much technical reference material, we created a cross reference guide to the textbooks,
Online Guide and Fiber U courses, all the FOA technical information.
Besides the textbooks, online Guide and Fiber U, each section of the
Guide also includes links to the 100+ FOA videos available.
Cross Reference Guide to Textbooks, Online Guide and Fiber U
FOA Guide To Fiber Optic Workforce Development
To help those new to fiber optic workforce development, FOA has created a web page we call "Fiber Optic Workforce Development."
In this page, we share what we have learned about the fiber optic
workforce, who they are and how they learn their trade. We discuss what
defines a fiber optic tech and how they should be certified.
Read the FOA Guide To Fiber Optic Workforce Development online.
New Edition of FOA's Basic Fiber Optics Textbook
Just like they say in the product ads, it's new and improved!
It has been 5 years since we have updated the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics, so it is certainly time for an update. The latest version is different enough we call it a new edition. Many of the updates are for new technologies which are reshaping the fiber optic industry like coherent transmission, BI fibers, etc. We've also added a section on the fiber optic workforce which has much relevance because this book is used to train those entering the workforce.
We've also worked on making the book more readable, adding formatting that eases reading and a new comprehensive index.
Inflation was an issue, but the price only goes up $2 to $29.95 for the paperback and $12.95 for the Kindle version.
The new edition of the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics is available from Amazon and booksellers worldwide.
New In Spanish - Nuevo en español
FOA Spanish Textbook And Online Guide Updated
Libro de texto en español y guía en línea de FOA actualizados
Se acaba de actualizar el libro de texto en español y la Guía Online de FOA sobre fibra óptica básica. La nueva versión incluye las últimas actualizaciones y está diseñada para usarse con las clases de certificación FOA CFOT presentadas en español. Están disponibles versiones de bolsillo y Kindle. El libro de texto y el plan de estudios actualizado de la clase CFOT ya están disponibles.FOA Adds Fiber Optic Network Design in Spanish
El libro de texto de FOA Design y el plan de estudios del curso también están disponibles en español. El plan de estudios de FOA CFOS/D en español incluye los materiales necesarios para que un instructor presente el curso en español y dé el examen de certificación CFOS/D en español. El material está disponible para cualquier escuela aprobada por la FOA. Para obtener más confirmación sobre cómo convertirse en una escuela aprobada por la FOA, vaya aquí.
Best Seller: Fiber Broadband (Paperback and Kindle)
In less than half a century,
fiber optics has revolutionized communications and to a large extent,
society in general. Broadband, what many today call high speed Internet
access, has become a necessity for everyone, not a luxury. The
technology that makes broadband possible is fiber optics, connecting the
continents, cities, and just about everybody. Even fiber to the home
(FTTH) brings broadband to hundreds of millions worldwide. How did we get from an era when communications was making a telephone call or sending a telegram to today’s world where every piece of information – and misinformation – is available at the click of a mouse or touch on a screen? How did we get from a time when a phone was connected on copper wires to being able to connect practically anywhere on a handheld device with more computing power than was available to scientists and engineers only decades ago?
How does broadband work? Without fiber optics it would not work.
This book is not the typical FOA technical textbook - it is written for anyone who wants to understand fiber broadband or fiber optics or the Internet. It's also aimed at STEM teachers who want to include communications technology in their classes. This book will try to explain not only how fiber broadband works, but how it was developed. It is intended to be an introduction to communications technology appropriate for a communications course at almost any level (junior high, high school or college,) for managers involved with broadband projects, or for anyone who just wonders how all this stuff works.
The Fiber Optic Association Guide To Fiber Broadband
Paperback ($12.95) and Kindle ($9.95) versions available from Amazon or most booksellers. Kindle version is in color!
More Translations of FOA Textbooks
FOA is a very international organization and it works hard to
accommodate the language needs of everyone. We have been translating our
books and website into the languages most requested, and this month, we
add two more textbook translations. We also want to thank Jerry Morla,
FOA CFOS/I instructor and Director who has been doing the recent
translations into Spanish, his native language.
Here is a listing of all the FOA textbook Translations
Spanish Editions:
Guía de Referencia de la Asociación de Fibra Óptica (FOA) Sobre Fibra Óptica: Guía de estudio para la certificación de la FOA Amazon
La Referencia de Cableado para Predios de la FOA: Guía para Certificación de la FOA Amazon
La Asociación de Fibra Óptica Manual de Fibra Hasta el Hogar : Para Planificadores, Gestores, Diseñadores, Instaladores y Operadores De FTTH Amazon
Guía de Referencia de la FOA sobre Diseño de la red de fibra óptica: Guía de Estudio para la Certificación de la FOA Amazon
And the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics:
French Edition: Le Guide de référence de la FOA pour la fibre optique et et guide d'étude pour la certification FOA: Guide d'étude pour la certification FOA Amazon
Portuguese Edition: Guia de Referência sobre Fibra Óptica da FOA : Guia de Estudo para a Certificação da FOA Amazon
The subject matter of these books is also translated in the FOA Guide online.
Planning A Fiber Optic Project?
The FOA Guide To Fiber Optic Projects includes this timeline and comments on project planning and implementation.FOA Video
Lectures On YouTube
Did
you know YouTube will close caption videos in many
languages?
Sign in with Google to get translations for closed captioning. Click on the settings icon (red arrow.) Choose "Subtitles". English is the default language. Click on the arrow after "English (auto-generated) >". In the new window click on "Auto-translate" and choose the language you want.
FOA Loss Budget
Calculator On A Web Page 5/2020
FOA has written many articles about loss budgets, something everyone involved in fiber optics needs to know and needs to know how to calculate. We recently discovered how to get a spreadsheet ported to a Web page, so we created this web page that calculates loss budgets. We have an iOS loss budget app, but with this web page, you can calculate loss budgets from any device, smart phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer that has web browsing capability.
Bookmark this page (especially on your smartphone): FOA Loss Budget Calculator Online
We are continually updating the Online Reference
Guide to keep up with changes in the industry and
adding lots of new pages of technical information.
When you go to the FOA
Guide Table of Contents to see the latest
updates - look for 
.
Fiber Optics (4 languages), Premises Cabling, OSP fiber and construction, Network Design, Testing, FTTH Handbook and our latest - FIber Broadband
-
The FOA has it's own
reference books for everyone working in fiber
optics - contractors, installers and end users as
well as for use as textbooks in classes at
educational institutions. They are available as
printed books or Kindle at much lower prices than
most textbooks since we self-publish and sell
online, cutting out the middlemen. Click on the
book images for more information. The Reference
Guide To Fiber Optics is also available in
Spanish, French and Portuguese. The Design book is available in English
and Spanish.
Click on any book for more information about it.
FOA has reprinted
"Lennie Lightwave's Guide" on its 25th anniversary in a special print edition.
Lennie and Uncle Ted's Guides are online.
Click on any of the books to learn more.
- Fiber Optic Safety Poster to download and print
Resources For Teachers In K-12 And Technical Schools
Teachers in all grades can introduce their students to fiber optic technology with some simple demonstrations. FOA has created a page for STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) teachers with materials appropriate to their classes. Fiber Optic Resources For Teachers.
Safety
On Safety
New Fiber U Course: Fiber Optic Safety
Safety
must be the first concern of everyone involved in a fiber optic
project, including those planning, designing, managing or supervising
and of course those doing the installation.FOA is often asked about safety for fiber optics. Some inquiries ask where it's covered in the FOA Online Guide or textbooks or if we have a course on safety at Fiber U. Almost all Fiber U Courses have lessons covering safety, because safety is important in every aspect of a fiber optic project.
This new Fiber U course will focus on safety alone. There are two lessons in this course, fiber optic construction and fiber optic installation. The dividing line between the two courses is the installation of the fiber optic cables. Construction leads up to and/or is completed when the cables are installed. Installation begins when the fiber tech installs the cable, then completes the splicing, termination testing and documentation. The overlap between the two is the installation of the cables where both construction personnel and fiber optic techs are involved.
Here is the new Fiber U "Fiber Optic Safety" self-study program. Take the course and get your certificate of completion.
Enhance your safety with the FOA Safety Vest.
FOA considers safety an integral part of all our programs, curriculum materials and technical materials. We start all our textbooks and their online versions with a section on safety in the first chapter, like this: Before we get started - Safety First!
There are pages on the FOA Guide on Safety procedures Including Eye Safety and. Digging Safely
And a YouTube lecture: FOA Lecture 2: Safety When Working With Fiber Optics
In our OSP Construction Section, these pages cover many safety issues including those related to the construction of the cable plant: Project Preparation And Guidelines, Underground Cable Construction, Underground Cable Installation and Aerial Cable Installation.
There is even a safety poster for the fiber activities: PDF Safety Rules For Fiber Optics
Other Safety Resources:
There is a toll-free
"call before you dig" number in the USA: Dial 811. See www.call811.com
for more information in the US. Here is their map of resources by states.
In Canada, it's "Click Before You Dig.com" They also have a page of resources by US states and Canadian provinces.
The Common Ground
Alliance has an excellent "Best Practices Guide"
online
- The US Department of Transportation has a website called "National Pipeline Mapping System" that allows one to search for buried pipelines.
Why We Warn You To Be Careful About Fiber Shards
Photo courtesy Brian Brandstetter, Mississauga Training Consultantcy
FOA/About
About The FOA
- Contact
Us: http://www.foa.org
or email <info@foa.org>
FOA has a company page and four LinkedIn Groups
FOA - official company page on LinkedIn
FOA - covers FOA, technology and jobs in the fiber optic marketplace
FOA Fiber Optic Training - open to all, covers fiber optic technology and training topics
Grupo de La Asociación de Fibra Óptica FOA (Español)
The FOA is a, international non-profit educational association chartered to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification and standards.
Founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and leaders from education, industry and government as a professional society for fiber optics and a source of independent certification, the FOA has grown to now being involved in numerous activities to educate the world about fiber optics and certify the workers who design, build and operate the world's fiber optic networks.
Read More
FOA History
FOA Timeline of Fiber Optics
Contact Us
The Fiber Optic Association Inc.
https://www.foa.org or email <info@foa.org>
https://www.thefoa.org or email <info@thefoa.org>
Telephone/text: 760-451-3655
The FOA Home Page
Want to know more about fiber optics? Study for FOA certifications? Free Self-Study Programs are on "Fiber U®." Looking for specific information? Here's the largest technical reference on the web: The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide.
Free online self-study programs on many fiber optics and cabling topics are available at Fiber U, FOA's online web-based training website.
-
Contact Us
The Fiber Optic Association Inc.
Fiber Optic Timeline
(C)1999-2025, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
FOA Logo Merchandise
-
New FOA Swag! Shirts,
Caps, Stickers, Cups, etc.
Your Name, CFOT® - It pays to advertise!
The FOA encourages CFOTs to use the logo on their business cards, letterhead, truck or van, etc. and provides logo files for that purpose. But we are also asked about how to use the CFOT or CFOS certifications. Easy, you can refer to yourself as "Your Name, CFOT" or "Your Name, CFOS/T" for example.
Feel free to use the logo and designations to promote your achievements and professionalism!
Contact FOA at info@thefoa.org to get logos in file format for your use.Privacy Policy (for
the EU GDPR): The FOA does not
use cookies or any other web tricks to gather
information on visitors to our website, nor do
we allow commercial advertising. Our website
hosts may gather traffic statistics for the
visitors to our website and our online testing
service, ClassMarker, maintains statistics of
test results. We do not release or misuse any
information on any of our members except we will
confirm FOA certifications and Fiber U
certificates of completion when requested by
appropriate persons such as employers or
personnel services.
Read
the complete FOA Privacy Policy here.