OSP Basic Overview Flashcards
True/False
Most outside plant installations are singlemode fiber.
ANSWER: True
The longer lengths and often higher bandwidth requirements of OSP cabling mean singlemode fiber is needed.
True/False
Splicing is rare in premises networks.
ANSWER: True
Although OSP networks often require splicing cables for long runs, premises cabling is generally installed and terminated directly or uses preterminated cables.
True/False
Fiber is used in long distance phone networks because it is much cheaper than copper wire.
ANSWER: True
The higher bandwidth and longer distance capability of fiber makes it cost only a few percent as much as copper which can carry fewer transmissions and requires regeneration at short distances.
True/False
Light from fiber optic cables is bright and easily visible.
ANSWER: False
Most fiber optic links use light in the infrared because glass has lower attenuation in the infrared and infrared light is invisible to the human eye.
True/False
Besides causing attenuation, dirt particles can cause scratches on the polished fiber ends.
ANSWER: True
Much dirt is silica (sand) based and hard enough to scratch glass.
Outside plant cabling can be installed by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Pulling it underground in conduit B. Direct burial C. Aerial suspension D. All of the above
ANSWER: D. All of the above
All these methods - plus installation underwater - are used for OSP installations.
Underground cable generally includes a gel, powder or tape for protection from \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Pulling friction B. Lightning strikes C. Moisture D. Fiber abrasion
ANSWER: C. Moisture
Gel or dry powder is included in cables to block moisture from harming fibers.
Armored cable is used in outside plant installations to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Prevent crushing and rodent damage B. Protect from dig-up damage C. Increase pulling tension D. Conduct lightning strikes
ANSWER: A. Prevent crushing and rodent damage
The armor in cable makes it stronger to resist crushing and the metal prevents rodents from penetrating the cable.
Concatenation or the joining of two cables in a long outside plant run is almost always done by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Mechanical splicing B. Fusion splicing C. Field installation of connectors D. Splicing on pigtailled connectors
ANSWER: B. Fusion splicing
Fusion splicing has the lowest loss and reflectance, the greatest strength and reliability and, in large volume installations, the lowest cost.
Premise cables in LAN backbones may contain \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Only multimode fiber B. Only singlemode fiber C. Both multimode and singlemode fiber D. Plastic optical fiber
ANSWER: C. Both multimode and singlemode fiber
While most premises communications systems use multimode fibers, singlemode fibers may be included for phone systems, CATV and higher speed LANs.
Premises cables must be rated for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to meet codes. A. Pull strength B. Bend radius C. Weight in cable trays D. Fire retardance
ANSWER:D. Fire retardance
The materials used in making premises cables must be chosen for fire retardance for safety and tested by appropriate ratings groups.
The protective gear every VDV installer must always wear is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. A. Eye protection B. Plastic apron C. Gloves D. Shoe covers
ANSWER: A. Eye protection
Most installation processes involve eye hazards, especially from fiber shards produced in cable preparation, splicing and termination.
Information on the safety of chemicals used in fiber optics are __________.
A. Available from National Institutes of Health
B. In MSDS sheets supplied by manufacturers
C. Required to be in every installer’s tool kit
D. Rarely useful
ANSWER: B. In MSDS sheets supplied by manufacturers
MSDS or material safety data sheets are available from manufacturers that detail specific safety issues for each chemical.
Always keep \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ on connectors when not connected to equipment or being tested. A. Mating adapters B. Strain relief boots C. Sticky tape D. Dust caps
ANSWER: D. Dust caps
Dust caps protect the end of the connector ferrule from dirt, scratches and other physical damage.
