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Lesson Plan: OSP Fiber Optics


Lesson #10, OSP Fiber Optic InstallationLevel: Technician


 FOA Reference Guide To Outside Plant Fiber Optics
And Study Guide To FOA Certification

FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics

Answers To Chapter Questions


Chapter 10 Quiz - OSP Installation

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
 

 1. One should be able to rely the contractor to not only do the installation but to assist in the design of the network and help choose components and vendors.

ANSWER: T
The contractor should have experience in a fiber optic project from design through final testing and be able to assist the customer in all aspects of the project.

 2. All metal components of the cabling system installed in a equipment or telecom room must be grounded and bonded.

ANSWER: T
For electrical safety, all conductive parts of the system, including hardware, must be properly grounded and bonded.

 3. A single outside plant link may include several types of installation, including aerial, buried and underground.

ANSWER: T
It’s not uncommon for an OSP link to have several types of installation processes. Even underwater crossings of rivers or lakes are not uncommon.

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 4. __________ will facilitate installation, allow better planning for upgrades and simplify testing.
A. Good workmanship
B. Low loss connectors
C. Safe workplace procedures
D. Proper documentation
 
ANSWER: D
Good documentation helps everywhere, even after the completion of the project for restoration.

 5. Outside plant cabling can be installed by __________
A. Pulling in underground in conduit
B. Direct burial
C.Aerial suspension
D.All of the above

ANSWER: D
OSP cables are installed in all these ways which are quite different in process.

 6. The protective gear every VDV installer must always wear is __________.
A. Eye protection
B. Plastic apron
C. Gloves
D. Shoe covers

ANSWER: A
Every part of the installation process involves hazards to the eyes. Eye protection is needed for all installers, particularly to prevent fiber scraps from harming the eyes.

 7. The fiberglass rod inside many fiber optic cables is for __________.
A. Increasing the pulling tension
B. Limit bend radius to preventing kinking
C. Winding the fibers around
D. Tying to messenger cables

ANSWER: B
The primary use for the fiberglass rod in the center of the cable is to limit the bend radius to prevent kinking, but use as a strength member, along with the aramid fiber strength members, is a secondary use.

 8. To prevent the cable from twisting when pulling it __________.
A. Use a swivel eye
B. Pull with braided rope
C. Spin the cable off the spool
D. Lubricate the cable

ANSWER: A
Pulling ropes sometimes unwind under tension so the swivel prevents it causing cable twists.

 9. On long pulls, at intermediate points, why do you lay the cable in a ‘figure 8‘?
A. Keep it from getting tangled with the pull rope
B. Make it easier to spray on lubricant
C. Keep workers from walking on it
D. Prevent it from twisting

ANSWER: D
Each coil in the "figure 8" puts a half-twist into the cable then does a half-twist in the opposite direction to remove any twisting.

 10. Under pulling tension, the bend radius should not be less than __________.
A. 5 times the cable diameter
B. 10 times the cable diameter
C. 20 times the cable diameter
D. 50 times the cable diameter

ANSWER: C
The guidelines are 20 times the cable diameter under tension, 10 times under no pulling tension.

 11. Underground cables are pulled in conduit that is buried underground, usually ______ deep to reduce the likelihood of accidentally being dug up. .
A. 3-4 feet (1-1.2 meters)
B. 1-2 feet (0.3-0.5 meter)
C. 6-8 feet (2-2.5 meters)
D. As deep as the local building codes allow

ANSWER: A
Most cables are installed about 3 feet or 1 meter underground to protect the cable. A marker tape is usually buried above the cable.

 12. Cable ties used on fiber optic cables __________.
A. Should be tightened firmly to prevent cable movement
B. Can be used to hang cables from J-hooks or cable trays
C. Should be rated for the weight of the cables
D. Can harm cables if too tight, so they should be hand-tightened

ANSWER: D
Tightening cable ties can put harmful stress on the fibers (or pairs in UTP copper cables), so hand tighten them and cut off the excess length. Even better, use soft "hook and loop" ties that can be reopened to move cables.

 13. Where the ________ is appropriate, direct burial installation allows for fast installation.
A. Local permit
B. Ground
C. Cost
D. Cable
 
ANSWER: B
Direct burial requires the ground be relatively easy to plow or trench and not have a large number of rocks.

 14. Each completed splice on an installed cable should be tested with an __________, preferably immediately after it is spliced.
A. OLTS
B. OTDR
C. VFL
D. CD test set

ANSWER: B
While most fusion splicers give an estimate of splice loss, only an OTDR can verify the actual loss, although it needs bidirectional testing to get higher accuracy.

 15. If at all possible, _______________ before installing any other cables on utility poles. .
A. Look for other installation options
B. Have the power cables shut down
C. Notify the proper authorities
D. Notify the owners of other cables

ANSWER: B
Working around power lines can be dangerous, even with all dielectric fiber optic cable because the hardware may be conductive and the installer may be in close proximity to the power cables. With notice, most power companies will cooperate.

Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

 16. Long cable pulls in conduit may require ______ or _______ and your installers need to know how to ”figure 8‘ cable to prevent kinking,.
A. Heavy-duty mechanical pullers
B. Trucks or tractors to pull the cable
C. Lubricants
D. Intermediate pulls

ANSWER: C,D
Lubricants reduce friction to reduce pulling tension. Intermediate pulls are used when even lubrication reaches its limits.

 17. Most fiber optic cables do not have sufficient strength to allow direct aerial installation, but ____ or _______ can be used to install them aerially.
A. Rubber clamps
B. Pole-mounted grips
C. Lashing to another cable
D. Lashing to messenger strands

ANSWER:  C,D
Regular OSP cable can be lashed to a messenger or another cable for support in aerial applications.

 18. Aerial cables are subject to continual tension as well as extra tension caused by ______, ______ and in some areas  __________.
A. Temperature changes
B. Wind
C. Rain
D. Weight of ice

ANSWER: A,B,D
Under temperature changes, the cable will expand and contract causing changes in tension. Wind and, in cold climates, ice also affect cable loading.


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