Delivery: Online | College Credit: 4 Credit Hours | Est. Length: 36 Seat Hours
Price: $955.00 | Equivalency Exam: $125.00
Course Overview
The NCTI Service Technician course elevates the broadband professional from the drop system to the distribution network. This is where the heavy lifting happens—between the fiber node and the distribution tap.
This comprehensive curriculum provides the fundamental knowledge required to maintain the Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) hardline plant. Students will dive deep into AC Electronic Theory (Inductance, Capacitance, Impedance) to understand how power and signals behave in the network. The course covers practical skills such as Hardline Splicing, aligning Line Extenders and Distribution Amplifiers, and using a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) to pinpoint invisible cable faults with precision.
Who Should Attend:
- Maintenance Technicians
- System Technicians
- Plant Maintenance Crews
- Technicians preparing for SCTE BDS Certification
What You Will Learn
Upon completion, students will be able to maintain the reliability of the coaxial distribution network, splice hardline cable, and troubleshoot complex plant issues.
Core Competencies:
- HFC Architecture: Identify network elements from the fiber node to the tap and explain how to read network design maps for splicing projects.
- AC Theory: Explain the relationship between Inductance, Capacitance, and Reactance, and perform Ohm’s law calculations for resistive AC circuits.
- Hardline Craftsmanship: Demonstrate proper procedures for preparing and connectorizing hardline coaxial cable, including weatherproofing and tool selection.
- Active Devices: Setup and align Line Extenders and Distribution Amplifiers, ensuring proper forward and return path operation.
- Passive Devices: Describe the electrical characteristics of splitters, directional couplers, and power inserters.
- Troubleshooting: Operate a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) to identify cable faults and implement leakage prevention programs.
- Powering: Maintain network power supplies and perform calculations to ensure amplifiers and nodes receive adequate voltage.
Certification and Benefits
Master the Hardline Plant
This course offers significant academic value, providing 4 hours of college credit and the technical depth required for senior technical roles.
Additional Benefits:
- SCTE Prep: Excellent preparation for the SCTE Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) certification.
- Certification Path: Credits apply toward the NCTI Master Technician certification.
- Electronics Foundation: Provides a robust understanding of semiconductors, diodes, and transistors used in network equipment.
Course Outline
Module 1: Network Overview and Theory
- HFC Network Architecture and Best Practices.
- AC Electronics: Alternating Current, Resistive Circuits, Inductance, and Capacitance.
- Semiconductors, P-N Junctions, and Diodes.
Module 2: Hardline Cable and Passives
- Cable: Mechanical and electrical properties of hardline coax.
- Splicing: Connectorizing hardline and weatherproofing.
- Passives: Characterizing splitters, couplers, and taps.
Module 3: Active Devices and Powering
- Amplifiers: Line Extender and Distribution Amplifier setup/alignment.
- Powering: Network power insertion and supply maintenance.
Module 4: Troubleshooting
- TDR: Fundamentals and operation for fault finding.
- Leakage: Controlling and reporting signal leakage.