Certified Fiber Optic Installer

• Introduction to Fiber Optics
  • Fiber Optic Advantages and Applications
  • Terminology and History
  • The Fundamentals of Light Propagation
  • Scales of Measurement and the Spectrum
  • Characteristics of Singlemode and Multimode
  • Manufacturing, Bandwidth and Linear Effects
• Cables
  • Cable Types, Construction and Specifications
  • Cable Marking
  • Selection Criteria
• Connectors and Terminations
  • Temporary and Permanent Connections
  • Connector Types
  • Mechanical and Environmental Considerations
  • Performance Specifications
  • Connector Loss Issues
  • Splicing Applications
• Splicing
  • Fusion and Mechanical
  • Fusion Splicing
  • Cable Marking
  • Mechanical Splicing
• Enclosures and Panels
  • Panels
  • Distribution, Patch and Splice Types
  • Application Issues and Selection Criteria
  • Aerial and Burial Enclosures
  • Re-Entry and Expansion Capabilities
  • Routing and Preparation
• Installation
  • Planning and Standards
  • Premise/LAN Methods
  • Outside Plant Methods
  • Aerial and Burial Techniques
  • Installation Tools and Equipment
• Test Equipment
  • Loss Testing Tools and Equipment
  • Standards and Methods
  • Return Loss, Bandwidth and Dispersion
  • OTDR Theory and Applications
  • Loss and System Budget Calculations
• Restoration and Maintenance
  • Tools and Equipment
  • Practical Applications
  • Time Saving Techniques
  • Record Keeping and Documentation
• System Components and Design Issues
  • Transmitters and Receivers
  • Passive Optical Components
  • Couplers and Splitters
  • WDM and DWDM Issues
• System Design Exercise
  • Tools and Equipment
  • Practical Applications
  • Time Saving Techniques

TL-01B – OSP Loose Tube Armored Cable Preparation

• Understand cable jacket markings
• Properly prepare an OSP cable for jacket removal
• Properly use a jacket stripper or ringing tool
• Strip off the jacket using the pull strings
• Strip off all inner binders using a seam ripper
• Handle the buffer without damaging the fiber within

TL-01E – Buffer Tube Fan Out Kit (BTFO)

• Set up and position an OSP cable in preparation for the BFTO assembly.
• Strip off the buffer tube using a ring cut tool.
• Clean the gel off all fibers within a buffer tube without damaging any of the fibers.
• Properly insert the individual fibers into the BFTO furcation tube module.
• Properly assembly and secure the completed BFTO housing onto the buffer tube.

 TL-02A – Fusion Splicing 

• Properly prepare an inside plant cable for mounting into a splice tray.
• Demonstrate the proper way to strip, clean, cleave, and fusion splice 900µm fiber.
• Properly pre-trim the individual fibers into the splice tray before fusion splicing.
• Properly set up and fusion splice the individual fibers together.
• Properly wrap (form & dress) the individual fibers back into the tray.

TL-03A – Mechanical Splice Connector

• Properly prepare a simplex cable for this connector termination method.
• Properly use a precision cleaver for this termination method.
• Successfully mate a cleaved cable end into a mechanical splice-on connector.
• Test the assembly to TIA Tier 1 standard.

TL-04A – Mechanical Splice

• Perform a mechanical splice with < .3 dB of attenuation
• Explain the benefits of Index Matching Gel
• Use a precision cleaver to prepare fibers for splicing.
• Calculate A-B and B-A loss.

TL-05A – Pigtail Fusion Splice

• Perform a fusion splice with ≤ .1 dB of attenuation
• Use a precision cleaver to prepare fibers for splicing.
• Calculate A-B and B-A loss.

TL-06A – Power Meter & Light Source Testing

• Use a VFL (Visual Fault Locator).
• Understand the functions of Light Source & Power Meters.
• Properly calibrate or reference the instruments prior to testing.
• Test fiber optic segments and record the results.
• Know the purpose of and how to connect reference patch cords.
• Make accurate loss measurements.
• Perform Bi-Directional Testing.
• Know storage and download capabilities for reporting.

TL-07A – Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) Testing

• Make a reliable connection from the OTDR to the Fiber Under Test. (FUT)
• Use a USB optical probe to inspect the connectors
• Be familiar with launch or pulse suppressor boxes and cables
• Determine parameters to set up classic OTDR
• Interpret typical reflective events in an OTDR trace test
• Know parameters that help make more accurate location of breaks.
• Use an OTDR in a real-time mode during cable installation and splicing
• Save and print OTDR trace reports

TL20-A – Determining Power and Loss Budgets

• The student will learn to evaluate a simple campus fiber segment.
• The student will learn to determine if a fiber segment will perform properly