Fiber
Optic Training
No
one can know everything nor can any training course
possibly cover all
the
aspects of fiber optics, all types of components and
anyway the
technology is always advancing, making it important to
continue gaining
knowledge from all available sources. Much of the
technical knowledge
needed can be obtained from this website, but what
about the skills
needed for working with fiber optic components for
installation,
testing, troubleshooting and restoration? What
kinds of training
are
necessary for success as a fiber optic contractor or
installer and
where can you obtain that training?
The #1 Rule Of Fiber Optic Installation
Never, ever, try to install a new type of component
or undertake a new type of application without
proper training.
Not having the knowledge or skills related to that
component or
application makes it virtually impossible to ensure
success on the
first job and mistakes can be very expensive. Trust us
on this one - we
have lots of examples of installations that went
wrong!
Getting More Training
There
are many options for further training but first you
need to figure out
what your needs are, what training should include and
who can provide
appropriate training. As a general rule, all training
in fiber optics
that is aimed at installers must include sufficient
hands-on activities
with the relevant equipment, tools and components for
the student to
develop skills appropriate for that activity.
Fiber
optic techs with some experience can often learn how
to install many
new component types or how to operate new equipment on
their own. Fiber
U, FOA's free online training site, offers
many self-study courses to help you learn the basics
of fiber optics, new skills and new applications.
On
this website, there is tutorial information on most
installation
subjects as well as "virtual hands-on" tutorials (VHO)
on how it's
done, step-by-step. Most manufacturers have good
instructions and often
tutorials online to help. Given proper tools and
applications
information, the astute tech should be able to learn
new processes in a
short time. The secret, of course, is to do this
in a quiet, clean
office environment before trying it on a customer's
site with them
looking over your shoulder!
Sometimes, it's better to take a
course. Many FOA-approved schools offer advanced or
specialist courses
that provide several days of intensive training,
furnishing tools,
equipment and supplies, as well as instructors who are
familiar with
the processes being taught. Manufacturers also offer
product specific
training, but one should try to get trained by
applications engineers
not sales personnel who may not have the depth of
knowledge needed to
adequately train installers.
Learning to install new components
There
are hundreds of different types of fiber optic
components that
manufacturers have developed for specific applications
or to simplify
the job of the installer. Many of these components are
unique to that
manufacturer and may require special tools and
installation processes.
Examples are prepolished/splice connectors like the
Corning Unicam, 3M HotMelt connectors,
splice closures, all dielectric self-supporting
cables, optical power
ground wire, prefabricated cabling systems, etc.
Generally, one should
go directly to the manufacturer for training like this
unless an
independent trainer has been trained and is
recommended by the
manufacturer and has the proper tools and components
to teach the
processes required. Some manufacturers offer short
introductory courses
on their new products which includes limited hands-on
time, and such
training may be ideal for those interested in learning
more about that
product before committing to purchasing all the tools
and components
necessary to use it. Follow-on comprehensive training
can be done after
making those purchases.
Learning to use new equipment
Some
of the equipment necessary for fiber optic
installation is complicated
and may be difficult to learn how to use without
proper instruction on
the same piece of equipment. Examples are automated
fusion splicers,
especially ribbon splicers, cable pulling or plowing
equipment and
OTDRs.
Some of these pieces of equipment are quite complex
and have
peripheral products that must be used properly in
conjunction with them
to achieve the expected results. Ribbon splicers, for
example, use
ribbon strippers and cleavers, both of which are
critical to achieving
consistently good splices. All automated splicers have
unique
programming features so one needs to learn how to
operate the splicer
unit itself as well as how to make splices using it.
OTDRs are
also complicated devices and learning to use them has
two parts -
learning how to operate the OTDR with all its options
and interpreting
the data it takes in testing a fiber
(the trace or signature as it is called).
While all OTDR manufacturers offer "automatic testing"
options, one
cannot afford to trust them in all uses, as they can
easily become
confused by artifacts like ghosts. The user should
always manually
check the OTDR trace to ensure proper conclusions from
test data.
Training
needs to be done on the actual type and model of
equipment of interest,
as different manuacturers products or different models
from the same
manufacturer may have unique features. To be
effective, the training
must include two phases - how to set up and operate
the equipment
itself and how to complete the processes it is
intended for.
Generally manufacturers offer training on these
products and
independent trainers may use the same equipment or
will be willing to
train you on your equipment if you have already
purchased it.
Learning New Applications
A
point we make often is that there are many different
applications for
fiber optics and there are substantial differences in
how those
applications are designed, installed and tested.
Outside plant techs,
for example, generally terminate by splicing on
factory-made pigtails,
while premises techs terminate directly on fibers with
adhesive/polish
or prepolish/splice connectors. Techs moving from one
application to
another may require training as well as on the job
training (OJT) to
understand the application and develop the appropriate
skills.
Finding Appropriate Training
Whatever
your interest, make sure the courses you take are
appropriate for your
interests or you'll be wasting time and money. Here
are some options to
consider:
Can you learn it yourself? Some
of us just learn better on our own. Fiber
U, the free online training site is a
great place to learn the basics of fiber, new
techniques and skills and new applications. All free!
Is information on the topic
readily available, for example on the FOA
Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide? Good
videos can help too, especially with hands-on topics
like cable pulling and termination.
Can you get the right tools and components to use in
developing the
skills necessary? Is there someone you can call for
assistance?
Does
the manufacturer offer training? Does it cover what
you need to know?
Does it offer lots of practice with the equipment and
components? Will
you be certified as an approved installer for that
manufacturer? That
can help in getting business from customers of that
manufacturer.
Do
independent trainers like the FOA-Approved
Schools offer training in this area? Does it
cover what
you need to know? Does the trainer have the latest
version of the
equipment needed for training? Will they train you on
your equipment?
Is the instructor experienced and well-versed on the
products and
technology? Can the trainer offer manufacturer
certification as well as
other certifications?
Where is the training being offered? Travel costs can
add significantly to training costs.
Remember
FOA-Approved schools often offer other types of
classes than just CFOT
certification classes. Check with your FOA school or
the online
list of
FOA-Approved schools and
see what you can find.
Free online courses at https://fiberu.org
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