Fiber Optic Cabling and Telecommunications Standards
Fiber Optic Cable Basics
What is the minimum number of strands of fiber in a fiber optic circuit used for networking?
2
What are the five elements that comprise an optical fiber cable?
Core, cladding, buffer, strength material, and outer jacket.
What is the standard core diameter for multimode fiber optic cable?
62.5 microns
What is the purpose of the cladding in fiber optics?
To trap light in the fiber core.
What surrounds the buffer material and prevents the fiber optic cable from stretching when pulled?
Aramid fiber
What kind of fiber is generally used for outdoor facilities?
Loose tube cable
Which of the following is a disadvantage of optical fiber cable?
Installation tools and gauges are more expensive.
What is the purpose of the “flashlight test”?
To confirm that an optical fiber cable is functional before installation.
How are binary ones and zeros coded in a beam of light?
By on-off keying.
What is single-mode optical fiber cable generally used for?
To make connections between buildings.
Which of the following is a characteristic of single-mode optical fiber cable?
It generally uses lasers as light sources.
What is the minimum bend radius to be provided for connectors used in optical fiber enclosures?
5 cm (2 inches)
A spool of single-mode optical fiber cable is marked on the cable jacket as 9/125. What does this indicate?
The core diameter is 9 microns, and the cladding surrounding it is 125 microns.
Standards and Organizations
What agency administers and coordinates the voluntary standardization system and conformity assessment in the United States?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
What organization certifies TIA/EIA standards and includes its name in the standards?
ANSI
What is the responsibility of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)?
To facilitate the development of standards through work with independent organizations.
What is the standard for telecommunications cabling in commercial buildings?
TIA/EIA-568-A
What is the standard for pathways and spaces in commercial buildings?
TIA/EIA-569-A
What is the standard for grounding and bonding in commercial buildings?
TIA/EIA-607
What is the standard established for cable labeling?
TIA/EIA-606
What is the standard for residential and light commercial telecommunications wiring?
TIA/EIA-570-A
What is the IEEE 802 standard for fiber optic technology?
802.8
What is the IEEE 802 standard for Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD)?
802.3
Which codes take precedence over other codes?
Local codes
When standards are incorporated into codes, what is the order of priority for their enforcement?
Local codes, national codes, international codes
What U.S. agency is responsible for drafting codes and establishing standards to minimize the occurrence and possibility of fire and its effects?
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
Installation and Testing
You must install a cable between the wall jack and the Telecommunications Room (TR), which is 87 meters away. The cable box has a starting number of 10,972 meters and a final number of 11,276 meters. The current number at the end of the cable is 11,139 meters. How much cable is available in the box?
137 meters
During an office renovation project, you are asked to have four wire installers work within a complete office. Checkmarks are used to identify the wires temporarily. What is the recommended number of marks, and how far apart should they be?
Three marks, 1 meter (3 feet) apart at each end.
An expert in Cat5e cables labeled the classrooms of Ms. Hill. The classroom number is 116. What is the best method for labeling?
116A and 116B
What kind of means are used exclusively for special systems management straps, called internal ducts?
Fiber Optic
When using single-mode fiber optic cable for the backbone, what is the maximum cable length between the HC and MC?
3000 meters
What is the range of relative humidity to be maintained in the TR (Telecommunications Room)?
30% to 50%
What standard governs the design aspects of the equipment room?
TIA/EIA-568-A
How much square footage must a floor area exceed before an additional TR per floor may be necessary?
1000 square meters
What makes up the bar for telecommunications grounding?
Pre-punched copper
What is the minimum size of cable required for bonding to ground cables connected to the TGB?
6 AWG
The central point for connecting to ground for telecommunications in a building is the Main Grounding Bar for Telecommunications (TMGB). What are the dimensions of the TMGB?
100 mm (4 in.) wide and 12 mm (0.5 in.) thick
What kind of cable is connected with T568B at one end and T568A at the other end?
Crossover cable
What color is pair 1 in a T568A cable?
Blue
What color is pair 3 on a T568B cable?
Green
What cable is connected to TIA/EIA-568-A or TIA/EIA-568-B at one end, while the other end is inverted pin for pin?
Rollover/console cable
If new cables are installed in a building, what should be done with the abandoned (old) cable?
Remove all abandoned cables.
What is the maximum number of workspaces that can be used for each MUTO?
12
What is the approximate temperature range to be maintained in the telecommunications room?
17°C – 21°C (64°F – 75°F)
When designing the space of demarcation points, how many square meters should be exceeded before recommending a locked and dedicated room?
2000 square meters
During data cabling at a chemical plant, the technician noted that the signs indicate that he is working in a Zone 0 area for explosives. What kind of explosive atmosphere is he working in?
An explosive atmosphere permanently.
Tools and Equipment
A person has installed a PBX communication system at the job site for a telecommunications company and has laid the cables for the 110 punch block. The cables are ready to be connected to the block. What tool should this person use to complete the task?
Panasonic PDT 110 impact tool
What tools are shown in the graph?
Panasonic PDT 110 impact tool
A supervisor has issued a work order describing an old bank building where an existing telephone cable has a possible rupture. The notes section of the application mentions that this cable is hundreds of feet long and is lying in hard-to-reach areas. What tool would help locate a possible break, a flaw in the cable surface, crosstalk, or a poor connection?
Time-domain reflectometer
When connecting cables in the workplace, a worker noted that the knife used is not very sharp, and that limits the ease of stripping wires without damaging them. The worker needs another tool. What tool could be used to replace the knife?
Panasonic CJST cable preparation tool
A cable technician is asked to perform a continuity test on a cable that has recently been laid and connected. What is the most appropriate tool for this task?
Fluke 602 CableMeter
What tools are shown in the graph?
Panduit PDT 110M multiple pair termination tool
During the final phase of a project, what tool is used to ensure that the cables installed meet the specifications in the RFP?
Fluke 4000 certification analyzers
A technician should check the wiring before connecting foreign voltage detector cables to a cable. What tool is used to perform this task?
Fluke 110 Multimeter
The staff has just completed wiring an office building of four floors, and now you must tag and attach a lot of cables. Each end of each cable must be identified to be labeled and connected. What tool would help to accomplish this task?
Tone and detection equipment
Which tool would be used to locate a phone line hidden inside a wall?
Cable tracker
Which of the following options should be considered for use, storage, and handling of hazardous materials?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
What tools are shown in the graph?
Fluke VoltAlert voltage sensor
What tool is shown in the chart?
Tone and detection equipment
The supervisor indicates a setup project for installers to help identify a few cables that are currently unlabeled. What is the most appropriate tool for this task?
Tone and detection equipment