Delivery: Online
Estimated Length: 4 seat hours
Price: $395
The NCTI® Fiber-Optic Construction III: Outside Plant Activation offers essential training in the use of optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR) for testing and analyzing fiber-optic networks. The course focuses on the proper preparation, configuration, and interpretation of OTDR measurements to ensure an accurate assessment of OSP fiber installations. Participants learn industry-standard safety and handling procedures, cleaning techniques, and connection methods required for successful OTDR testing. The course covers the detailed configuration of OTDR settings, including refractive index, pulse width, range, and event thresholds, as well as techniques for measuring splice loss, connector loss, reflectance, and optical return loss. It also addresses trace data storage and interpretation, including the identification of reflective and nonreflective events, gain and roll-off traces, ghost signatures, and the influence of splitters on OTDR results. By the end of Fiber-Optic Construction III: Outside Plant Activation, students will be able to safely operate and configure OTDR equipment, interpret trace signatures, perform fiber acceptance testing, document splices and losses, and apply corrective actions to ensure the accurate evaluation of outside plant fiber-optic networks.
Delivery Options:
The course is delivered online. Lesson and final exams are taken online.
Completion Time:
The estimated completion time for this course is 4 hours. The maximum allotted time is four months from enrollment.
Prerequesite Course:
Fiber-Optic Construction II: Outside Plant Installation
Next Course Recommendation:
None
Course Benefits
- receive an industry-recognized NCTI certificate of graduation
Ideal For:
Technicians, installers, and field professionals involved in the testing, inspection, and maintenance of fiber-optic outside plant (OSP) networks.
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
- Apply safety best practices and proper cleaning techniques when handling optical fibers, connectors, and OTDR equipment.
- Describe the role of TIA standards and identify proper connection methods for preparing fibers for OTDR testing.
- Configure OTDR settings, including refractive index, wavelength, pulse width, range, dead zones, and event parameters, to ensure accurate test results.
- Perform and interpret OTDR tests for acceptance, splice loss, connector loss, reflectance, and optical return loss, and manage trace data storage and analysis.
- Identify and interpret common OTDR trace signatures, including reflective, nonreflective, gain, roll-off, and ghost events, and understand their causes.
- Describe the function of fiber-optic splitters and the impact of their use on OTDR testing and trace results.
- Apply proper OTDR configuration settings and explain their role in accurate fiber acceptance testing.
- Document splice points, determine optimal testing times, and perform corrective actions based on OTDR measurements.
Course Outline:
Preparing OTDR Procedures
Preliminary OTDR procedures, OTDR programming, and OTDR tests
Performing OTDR Measurements
OTDR signatures, OTDR testing, and OTDR span measurements