CTNH V.2 Flashcards
Benefits of the HFC network?
increased network reliability
Increased availability
Enhanced signal quality
More opportunities to bring new products to customers
2 way transmission of all services allows new opportunities.
4 components of HFC network?
- Headend
- Transportation system
- Distribution system
- Drop system
The headend is the _____ of the network?
Brain
Components of the headend?
- modulators
- demodulators
- satellite receivers
- antennas
- processors
Functions of the headend?
- Receiving and processing signals for all services
- receiving signals from satellites, microwaves, and off air antennas
- processing and transmitting signals through a variety of components
- modifying signals to conform to frequencies usable by Comcast and their services
Transportation system functions?
Transports signal between headend and community (fiber node)
What are the main fiber network components and a brief description of their function?
FIBER OPTIC LINK-guides and projects modulated light to fiber node
PASSIVE DEVICES(splitters)- links fiber and coax transport systems. Also route or split signals.
OPTICAL AMPLIFIER- increase level of cable signal.
Benefits of the Fiber Optic network?
- low signal loss
- increased bandwidth
- increased security
- flexibility and durability
- two way communication (US and DS)
- easy to install
What does the distribution system do?
Carries signal from the fiber network to the customers terminals
What are the 4 main components of the distribution system?
- amplifiers
- hardline
- power supplies
- taps
What are the 7 comcast touchstones?
Respect Ethics Quality Responsibility Diversity Employee focus Enthusiasm
What is the main function of the drop system?
The drop system starts at the tap and ends at the customers equipment in the home?
What are the main components of the drop system? (6)
- drop cable
- f-connector
- bonding block
- splitters
- amplifies
- CPE
Function of…….
Drop cable?
Connects feeder portion of distribution system at tap to the customers home.
Function of…….
F - connector?
Attaches to end of a cable segment.
Attaches coax to another medium or interface. Such as boxes, bonding block ect…
Function of…….
Bonding Block?
Provides means to ground shield of cable to houses common electrode system.
Function of…….
Splitters and House amp?
Splitter—divides signal between the number of outputs of the splitter. Allows you to connect multiple devices.
House amp—offsets losses of long drops and splits within the home
Types of signal security devices…..
Set top boxes/ DTA (QAM encryption)
Traps– being phased out in many systems
Security sleeves/ shields– attached to the drop at the tap to prevent further use of cable or vandalism.
90% of all service issues occur where? What is the most common cause?
Between the tap and the home.
The most common cause is improperly installed F- connectors.
What is…..
Ingress?
Egress?
Ingress is outside interference entering the cable
Egress is signal leaking out and causing interference
Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
Creates policies regarding communications we have with our customers, cable rates, the channels a cable system carries and cable system testing.
National Electric Code
NEC
Consists of safety regulations and procedures issued by the National Fire Protection Association for the installation of electrical wiring and equipment.
National Electrical Safety Code
NESC
Consists of safety regulations and procedures issued by ANSI for the practical safeguarding of personas during installation, operation and maintenance of electrical supply and communication lines as well as associated equipment.
Department of Transportation
DOT
It’s mission is “ensuring that our various modes of transportation operate safely on an individual basis and together as an interlinked transportation system.
Society of Telecommunications Engineers
SCTE
Provides technical leadership for the telecommunications industry. Serves members through excellence in professional development, standards, certification and information.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IEEE
Non profit association dedicated to advancing technological innovation related to electricity.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA
OSHA enforces the requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health act of 1970. The cable industry has to abide by all OSHA standards.
The standard that specifically addresses the cable industry is— standard 1910.268.
However we are not exempt from the other standards.
Value is….
The satisfaction of needs.
How can a customer obtain a self install kit?
- Comcast.com
- 1-888- Comcast
- pickup at a Comcast payment center
- pickup at one of our retail partners
The Telecommunications act of 1996 opened opportunities across the U.S. for more……
Competition in the cable tv market.
What is a cable overbuilder?
A company who builds another competitive cable system in a market with an existing one.
Benefits of good customer service for…
The customer
- feel valued
- feel listened to and understood
- validation of their decision
Benefits of good customer service for…
The cable tech
- job satisfaction and security
- reputation
- career advancement
Benefits of good customer service for…
For Comcast
- happy customers
- loyalty
- long term profits
- additional sales opportunities
- consistent approach
5 ways to be a customer service star
- a desire to serve
- relate to the customer
- think and act responsibly
- maintain a positive attitude
Active listening skills to practice
PARAPHRASE
restate the customers words in order to focus on the main points.
CLARIFY
Aquire additional info
SUMMARIZE
pull together the major facts and ideas
Tips for asking questions
Use open and closed ended questions (start w open move to close)
Give customer a chance to answer
Avoid asking too many questions
What are the 3 V’s of communication
Verbal-7%
Vocal-38%
Visual-55%
Three steps in customer Ed.
1 explain
2 demonstrate
3 practice
Types of adult learning
Auditory, verbal, tactile or kinesthetic
Three ways to reduce stress
- take 3 deep breaths
- count to ten
- take a short break
Workplace behaviors to avoid….
Verbal
Arguing Swearing Yelling Mocking Talking back Blaming others Not answering phone
Workplace behaviors to avoid….
Non Verbal
Throwing things
Rolling eyes
Smirking
Storming off
Workplace behaviors to avoid….
Written
Not replying to messages
Complaining
All UPPER case letters
Using exclamation points
When to escalate as a tech…
1) customer requesting work you aren’t trained to do
2) complaints you are not able to resolve
3) customer asking questions a more advanced tech needs to resolve
How to escalate a call…
RECOGNIZE when your in over your head
Contact DISPATCH or your SUPERVISOR based on local policy
Safety hard hats are addressed in ANSI______ and help prevent head injuries by absorbing _____ of a head impact
Z.89.1
75%
List the 4 types of work gloves
Work
Climbing
Acid- resistant
Electrical
Safety goggles….
Function and ANSI #
Keep crap out of eyes
Z 87 (will be on all work appropriate glasses)
Rules of 3….
Xfinity TV
- provide welcome kit
- demonstrate navigation of on screen guide
- explain xfinity on demand and xfinitytv.com
Rules of 3…
Internet
- provide welcome kit and assist in the creation of an email address and password
- establish home page after communicating value
- describe other benefits like nortons
Rules of 3….
Voice
- confirm phone number
- demonstrate voicemail and give welcome kit
- introduce customer to smart zone
Critical steps in the selling process
- build rapport
- ask questions
- listen
- position product
- communicate the benefits
- ask for the sale
Selling process….
Feature
Fact about the product
Selling process….
Benefit
How it enhances the customers life
Selling process….
Value
Something the customer believes to be important
Materials to leave at the home
Welcome kit
Signed copy of the work order
Equipment manuals
Wrapping up a customer appointment
Run a HIC check/ home cert.
Verify install and services meet the customers expectations
Answer any questions the customer may have
Anticipate future questions
What a customer expects (A.C.T.I.O.N)
A- accuracy C- ourtesy T- timeliness I- info O- options N- neatness
Greet customer by
Saying hi and using names
Showing your ID
When attaching devices to taps or splitters the f connector must be tightened to…
30-35 inch pounds
What is the purpose of the outer cable jacket?
Provides protection
Prevents dirt and moisture for entering the cable
What is the purpose of the coax shielding and does it consist of?
It consists of foil and braid
Prevents ingress and egress
Channels stray AC current to the ground
What is dielectric most commonly made of and what is its purpose?
Polyethylene foam insulating material
Thickness and density determine degree of impedence and insulation
What is the center conductor made of for….
Drop cable?
Hardline?
Copper clad steel (drop)
Copper clad aluminum (hard)
What is the purpose of the center conductor?
Carries video, voice and data signals between network devices
What affects loss when referring to a center conductor?
The size of the center conductor
NEC 820-50 requires
Specific types of coax be used in certain environments
Cable Types…
CATV
General use
Cable Types…
CATV-X
Limited interior use. REPLACE.
Cable Types…
CATV-R
Riser Cable
Second highest rated cable
Cable Types…
CATV-P
Plenum cable used in ducts.
Highest rated cable
Cable Types…
RG 59
Older cable. Replace if feasible
Cable Types…
RG 6
Used in most newer single home installs
Cable Types…
RG 7
Used in single family homes with long drops
Cable Types…
QR320
Used in multiple dwelling installs and long drops
Cable Types…
RG11
Used for long drops and MDU
Aerial messenger wire is made of?
Galvanized steel coated in the same material as the cable jacket its attached to
Cable Types…
Underground cable
Has a flooding compound between the shield and jacket
Jacket is made of polyethylene
A smaller center conductor has a ___ attenuation
Higher
Dielectric material with a ____ % of injected air has a higher attenuation
Lower
Higher temperature and frequency each make cable attenuation ______.
Increase
Impedence is?
A measure of one of the electrical characteristics of cable. It restricts signal or current flow and applies to all cable.
How is impedance measured?
Measured in ohms using a VOM
How many ohms is the cable used in CATV
75 ohms
Impedance mismatch can occur if…
The cable is damaged or an improper device is connected. Or an F- connector is improperly installed.
Impedance mismatch can cause?
Ghosting with analog, and many significant issues with digital.
Bending Radius….
RG6
2.5”
5in diameter
Bending Radius….
Series 7
4”
8in diameter
Bending Radius….
Series 11
4.5”
9 in diameter
A breakaway or hardline clip can…
Prevent a snag from damaging the cable or pulling you off the ladder.
Waterproof Thread protection must be…
Installed on all outdoor F- connectors
The longer water protective sleeve must be used on all ____ ports and longer and the shorter water proof sleeve must be used on all ____ and shorted
.500 SCTE ports
Disconnects are…
The termination of service and if necessary the retrieval of Comcast equipment.
If a customer says they are moving. You should…
Leave a channel lineup for new tenants.
If the customer is choosing another cable company…
Politely ask why. Point out the benefits of Comcast and offer specials.
You should periodically check Comcast.com to…
To learn the features and benefits xfinity offers that the competition does not.
All customers should be aware of______ ______ to assist in answering any future questions.
Comcast central
If the customer says they’re switching services because of poor picture quality you should….
Offer to fix it on the spot.
If the customer is leaving and they indicate no interest in listening to you or fixing the problem…
Tell them to call anytime. Ask for a chance in the future to continue your work
Most common problems with F- connectors
- cross threaded
- loose
- exposed braid
- moisture
- black center conductor
What types of connectors MUST be replaced?
- hex crimp
- screw on
- push on
- non waterproof fittings that are outside
- black center conductor
- moisture damaged f connectors