Fiber Testing

Today, fiber optics supports a large proportion of Internet, telephone and television data transmission around the world. As these networks and the number of users continue to grow, the development of standardized fiber optic testing practices becomes even more important.

The origins of fiber optic testing
The Origins of Fiber Testing

The transmission of an optical signal through a thin glass "fiber" is not a new concept. Over 100 years ago, experiments had shown that light can move through a curved glass substrate with almost no loss of its initial intensity. In the late 1960s, optical lasers, optical fibers based on silica glass and digital signals were combined to form the basis of the fiber optic communication networks we know today. Already in the 1990s, fiber optic networks could carry 100 times more information than traditional cables with electronic amplifiers.
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To be routed over optical fiber, electronic signals are converted into optical signals in the form of digital light pulses. These signals are transmitted, via fiber optic cables, to a receiver located at the end of the line, where the signals are converted so as to return to their original binary form. It is the format readable by computer systems and devices. To ensure the integrity of these optical signals over the entire length of long-distance cables and complex networks, fiber optic test processes must constantly evolve.

OPTICAL FIBER

he fiber drawing of Aix-les-Bains is carried out by Orange on its own funds and according to the schedule it has established. The operator was appointed by the State for Savoy following a call for expressions of investment intention carried out at the national level.
By 2022, the objective is to cover 100% of housing and professional premises. For the Grand Lac territory, this represents 35,000 dwellings.

Orange will inform households eligible for the connection as they go.

Update on fiber development
Launched in 2016 by Orange, in charge of this operation in the Aix conurbation, the deployment of the fiber-optic network is effective in certain sectors of the city. 100% of households should be fiber-opted by the end of 2022.

The progress of the work will, therefore, be followed in the months and years to come.
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Discover the coverage of the fiber network
To find out if your home, workplace, etc., are eligible for fiber, the operator Orange offers you the interactive map below. To search for a location, simply zoom insufficiently on the desired location or enter the address directly into the search engine.
HOW WILL FIBERIZING TAKE PLACE?
The networks are deployed in FFTH optical fiber by Orange via the existing underground infrastructures. Fiber will arrive in the streets, at the feet of houses and buildings.

Telecoms and networks technician

What does this job consist of?

Installation, commissioning and maintenance of IT or telecommunications equipment ... These are the missions of the telecoms technician who is interested in the equipment connecting the different workstations of a company and establishing the connection with the outside. The network technician is responsible for the computer network. It prepares the hardware (servers, routers ...) and software (integration of the operating system, administration software ...), then configures the installation.

Improve the system

The telephone and computer networks of a company tending to be confused, voice, images and data today pass through the same equipment. Jobs are found in installers, service companies and user companies. The activity is then more focused on the maintenance and improvement of computer networks. Armed with solid technical knowledge and able to read documents in English, the telecoms and networks technician also has facilities to communicate.

Read more @ certified fiber optic technician jobs

Self-sustaining Optical Cable: your solution for an ungrounded optical network

Today we are going to talk a little about the most searched cable on our website, the Self-Sustained Optical Cable. Available in two configurations: AS 120 and AS 80.

The Self-Sustained Optical Cable is a great option for installers. Completely dielectric, the cable prevents electrical discharges in the networks and reduces the installation cost by eliminating the grounding of the optical networks.

Get to know our Self-Sustained Optical Cable better
Used in aerial networks, the Self-Supported Optical Cable does not have metallic items to support the traction, making it totally electrically isolated. It has a compact structure with up to 12 fibers, being indicated for intermediate and final installations in rural and urban networks. In addition to being able to be launched in spans of up to 120 meters (AS 120), or in spans of 80 meters (AS 80).

Sold in wooden reels of 2,000 meters or 3,000 meters each. Orders over 30km may have personalized engraving.

The internal configuration of the Self-Sustained Optical Cable
Self-supporting Optical CableThe internal configuration of the cable consists of the tying of two FRP (plastic reinforced fiber) together with a  loose tube. The loose structure consists of intubating the naked optical fibers together with a protective jelly that keeps the fibers away from moisture. AS cables can contain 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 fibers. (1 and 10 fibers on request).
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The outer cover of the Self-Sustained Optical Cable is made of thermoplastic material with anti-UV protection, which will prevent degradation of the cable exposed to the weather. It is worth mentioning that this cable is only suitable for outdoor aerial installations and does not have flame retardant additives (NR standard).

Labeling and documentation

Usually, the installer who terminates the cable has the job of labeling each termination point. Ideally, the label has been created as part of the design of the cable network and that the installer only has to attach the color codes of the fibers to the label and, if not yet attached, paste the label on the panel Connection in the right place. This is an important process since the designation of each fiber will be used to record the test information, the connection to the equipment and will continue during future movements, additions, and modifications.  The doors of the connection panels should have signed with the specifications of use and warnings about the person authorized to enter.

Cleaning the work area

After termination or splicing of the cables, the installer should carefully clean the work area and leave it as clean as he found it, preferably cleaner than he found it. All remains, especially fibers, which should be sealed in disposable containers, must be removed from the area. 


Storage of leftover components

Any component that must be saved for future use. The connectors and cables can be stored together with the wiring documentation so that in the event of restoration in the future, compatible components are available for use in splicing or terminating the cables.

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All equipment and cables should be stored

All equipment and cables should be stored in a clean and dry place, protected from harsh environments such as extreme cold or heat. Because of the value of the cable and the possibilities of theft, all components must be stored in a secure warehouse with guards at the time or place that is necessary.

General lines for fiber optic cable installation

Fiber optic cables are installed in so many different ways that generalizing how fiber is installed is very difficult, which is why this book will try to cover all matters of universal interest and will mention specifications when appropriate. 

The fiber optic cable can be installed inside or outside, using different installation processes. Outside, the cables can be straight, pulled or blown into corrugated ducts or subducts, or installed overhead on poles. Indoor cables can be installed in cable channels, in cable trays above roofs or under floors, pulled into underground ducts or corrugated subducts, or blown into special ducts with compressed gas. The installation process will depend on the nature of the installation and the type of cable used.   

The installation methods for copper cables and fiber optic cables for telecommunications are similar. Fiber cables are designed to be pulled much harder than copper cables if done correctly, but too much tension in the cable can damage the fibers, which can potentially cause eventual failure. Particular care must be taken in the installation to prevent exceeding the radius of curvature or the folds of the cable as they can damage the fibers. 
Also Read: Fiber optic engineer salary

Learn how new equipment is used

Some of the equipment necessary for fiber optic installation is complex and it can be difficult to learn how to use it without proper training on that particular equipment. Examples include automatic fusion splicers, especially for fiber fusion splicers type ribbon ( ribbon ), handles cable or trailers and OTDR.

Some of these devices are quite complicated and have other peripheral devices that must be used together to achieve the expected results. The fiber fusion splicers for ribbon type ( ribbon ), for example, use printing ribbon and cutting precision, both essential to achieve quality splices. All automatic fusers have unique programming features, so one has to learn how to operate the fuser and also how to make splices using it. 

OTDRs are also complex devices and learning how to use them covers two phases: learning how to operate the OTDR with all its options and learning how to interpret the information required to test a fiber (called plotting or graphic signature). Although all OTDR manufacturers offer “ automatic check” options , one cannot rely on these in all uses, as they can be confused with unwanted “ghost” effects. The user must always manually check the OTDR line to draw the appropriate conclusions from the test report. 

One should be trained on the type and model of equipment of interest in question, since each manufacturer produces different products or different models that may have unique characteristics.  To be effective, the training must include two stages: how to assemble and operate the equipment and how to complete the processes for which it is intended.   In general, manufacturers who provide training for the use of these products and independent instructors use the same equipment or are willing to train using their equipment if you have already purchased it.

Also Read : Fiber optics jobs

Preparation for installation in external plant

Fiber optic installations in external plant (OSP) can be very different from internal installations.   External plant installations may include the installation of aerial cables, directly buried cables, cables in corrugated conduits or subducts, or the laying of submarine cable. The same connection can even comprise several types of installation, for example, aerial in a section, the placement of an underground conduit at a bridge crossing and the rest of the buried cable. 

Cables can end when entering a building, or at the tip of a post where security cameras or access points to a wireless network are located. The splices, where the cables concatenate, can be placed on pedestals, buried underground or hung from aerial splice closures. 

The diversity of the facilities in the external plant makes it very important that the contractor properly knows the cable route to be installed. Just as the estimator must travel the route before beginning the estimation process, the contractor needs to see for himself the real situations he will encounter. Such inspection allows you to determine what problems you will encounter, what special equipment you will need and even double-check that all necessary permits are in order.   The laying of long cables through underground conduits may require the use of lubricants or intermediate traction that installers must know to avoid folds of the optical cable Figure 8.

That old story that the most common failure of fiber optic telecommunications systems is caused by a backhoe that cuts cables is no joke. It reminds us that digging safely is extremely important. The risk is not only interrupting telecommunications, but also the lifetime risk of digging where there are high voltage cables or gas pipes.   There are numerous services that maintain databases with the location of the underground services, which must be contacted before any excavation, but the mapping of these must be done at the design stage and verified again before starting to dig, to ensure that you have the latest information.

Read more @ certified fiber optic technician jobs

The contract for the installation of fiber optic

The contract for the installation of fiber optic shall include the detailed requirements of the project, explaining exactly what will be installed, the acceptable test results and the documentation that must be supplied. The client and the contractor should discuss all this, and everything they agree must be in writing. There are no irrelevant details since all are important to ensure that the client receives what he wants and the contractor will know what the client expects from him for the design of the network; Calculate the costs, perform the installation and deliver the proof of the results to show that the work is complete and that the payment must be made.
Project planning

Once the contract has been formalized and a series of plans have already been delivered to the contractor, what is the next step? , the first task is to plan the work. Proper planning is important to ensure that the work is installed correctly, on time and within established costs, so that the contractor can make a profit.

It is assumed that you have a finished design for the project, that you know where everything will be installed and how, and that you have all the special requirements ready, such as permits. One can also assume that he has a work completion date, and if possible, a reasonable one. The first thing is to make a schedule, which will be the central axis of the entire planning process.

To make the schedule of a job, a lot of information is needed, most of it is obtained from the calculations that were made when the job was offered. When buyers quote the components that will be used in a job, in addition to the prices, they also receive the delivery deadlines. Some of the items used in fiber optic projects are stock items, such as connectors, connection panels or splice closures. The cables will have to be commissioned.

Also Read: foa certification

Development of a test plan

Every installation needs confirmation that the components are installed properly. The installer or contractor wishes to ensure that the work is well done, so that the client is satisfied and that it is not necessary to receive calls to request repairs. Before approving payment, customers usually ask for test results, as well as a final visual inspection as part of the documentation of the proper installation.

However, according to our experience, there is often confusion about what needs to be evaluated and how the test results should be documented in fiber optic projects. These issues must be agreed on during the design stage of the project. The administrative roles of the project must include specifications for the tests, references to industry standards and the results of the tests that will be considered acceptable according to the analysis of the estimated optical loss performed during the project design stage.

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The testing process of any fiber optic cable network can consist of three tests. First, a test of the cable in the coil before installation. Then, a test of each segment as it is installed and, finally, of the complete loss from one end of the fiber to the other in the cable network. The practical test usually means the continuous assessment of only a few fibers of each cable coil before installation to verify that the cable has not been damaged during shipping. Each segment is then evaluated as the installers finish them. By last,