5-day Instructor-led 60% Hands-on; 40% Classroom

After attending the course, participants will be able to,

• Discuss the history of fibre optics and evolution of fibre
• Discuss fibre types and manufacturing methods
• Discuss fibre optic theory and waveguide functions
• Describe the causes of attenuation, optical reflection and refraction
• Understand Optical dispersion and pulse spreading issues
• List the three basic elements of fibre optic systems and discuss their uses
• Describe various optical cable types and proper installation methods
• Describe Safe optical and Physical Work Practices
• Understand the design of various Indoor Network Topologies
• Discuss LAN specifications and standards
• Recognise challenges for the Designer and Installer
• Demonstrate safe hand tools use
• Perform cable and fibre preparation techniques
• Perform ST and SC style connector assemblies
• Demonstrate connectorisation Jumper and Cable Assembly skills
• Recognise other types of connectors currently available
• Perform optical loss testing on jumpers and cable assemblies
• Perform Visual Fault Locator techniques
• Demonstrate troubleshooting techniques
• Understand OTDR basic operation and testing methods
• And more

This Hands-on course is designed to provide the Fibre Optic installers the basic knowledge of electronics and photonics concepts and principles, as well as acquire ‘hands-on’ skills which are then applied to all of the normal functions and procedures required to safely and completely install, maintain, and repair fibre optic cabling. Upon obtaining this basic knowledge and ‘hands-on’ skills, a CFOI will be able to enter introductory employment in positions of the information technology (IT), Security, CCTV, and telecommunications.

What is certification? Certifications measure competencies of persons, not products or companies. Certification means you have achieved certain performance criteria set by an International certifying entity, reflecting you have the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to perform the duties as specified by the certification certificate. Certifications attest to your KSAs, and their value is the recognition of those KSAs to customers, co-workers and employers.

Telefocal certification training is not only reinforced with Hands-On Labs but our training is Non-Vendor specific providing an overall industry scope of the technology and not just a product. This provides companies a wider range of what equipment is being used in the industry.

Telefocal encourages students to bring their own equipment to implement into the labs, which brings value to the individual student by using his/her own equipment in Real-World Scenarios. Our instructors have years of experience with all types of gear and are there to help configure and/or set different options to make configuration and testing more effective for your specific applications. Telefocal is here to provide training as well as our "Real-World Experience" to make your personnel more productive and effective in their areas of responsibility.

At the end of the course delegates will gain well knowledge on how to install the fiber optics as well as assembling the fiber.

A basic understanding of various telecommunications systems

Contractors, craftsman, electricians, technicians, installers, splicers, LAN Managers/administrators, end-users, engineers, MIS managers, facilities managers, architects and developers, systems engineers, telecom managers and anyone involved in repairing, installing, maintaining, designing, evaluating, or provisioning Cable, Fibre Optic Cables and Optical Networks

MODULE 1: FIBRE OPTIC GENERAL STUDIES

• Introduction
  
  • Common Industry Terminology
  • History of optical fibre
  • Advantages/Disadvantages of Optical Fibre
  • Basics of a Optical Fibre communications system
  • Fibre types and manufacturing processes
  • System topologies
  • Optical Fibre standards
  
  
  
• Theory Topics
  
  • Theory of light
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Total Internal Refelction
  • Refraction
  • Index of Refraction
  • Light sources
  • Wave Division Multiplexing
  • Optical switching
  
  
  
• Optical Fibre
  
  • Optical fibre types
  • Typical fibre specifications
  • Multimode optical fibres
  • Singlemode optical fibres
  • Modal Dispersion
  • Chromatic Dispersion
  • Polarisation Mode Dispersion
  
  
  
• Optical Fibre Types
  
  • Optical Fibre colour codes
  • Outside plant
  • Loose Tube Gel Filled
  • Loose Tube Dry
  • Inside plant
  • Tight buffer distribution
  • Tight buffered breakout
  • Jumper cables and Hybrids
  • OSP cable locator

MODULE 2: OPTICAL FIBRE SAFETY ISSUES

• SAFETY FIRST
  
  • LASER Safety and Warning Labels
  • Types of LASERs
  • LASER Output Levels
  • Eye Safety Precautions
  • Safe Glass Disposal Practices
  • Food and drinks
  • Proper person cleanliness
  • Safe work surroundings
  • Confined spaces issues

MODULE 3: OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE INSTALLATION

• Proper Planning
  
  • Project Considerations
  • Cable pre-testing
  • Cable reels identification and handling
  • Proper cable pulling techniques
  • Outdoor cable design characteristics
  • Direct bury cable installation
  • Directional boring methods
  • Underground installation (Manhole/Hand Hole/Conduit)
  • Cable pulling specifications
  • Tensile strength and bend radius
  • Avoiding installation obstacles
  • Grounding and Bonding optical fibre cables
  • Identifying cable types
  • Work Area protection issues

MODULE 4: OPTICAL FIBRE TESTING

• Basic Testing Information
  
  • The dB scale and units of loss
  • OTDR functions for testing
  • OTDR testing for splices, distances and back reflection
  • OTDR Trace guidelines
  • The Dead Zone
  • Trace events and Interpretation
  • Testing at various wavelengths
  • System Loss parameters
  • Calculating system loss
  • Total system OTDR testing
  • Optical loss test sets (OLTS)
  • Referencing the test set first
  • Measuring cable system loss
  • Documenting test results

HANDS ON LABS:

• Safety Meeting
  
  Lab #1: Field Termination of connectors
  
  • Show the correct and safe usage of cable preparation tools
  • Tight Buffer Cables: Preparation for termination of jumpers and system cables
  • Breakout and Fan out Kits
  • Connector Assembly
  • Anerobic
  • CCS
  • Siemens
  • 3M Hotmelt
  • Epoxy
  
  
  Lab #2: Testing Equipment and Materials
  
  • Visual Fault Locator (VFL)
  • Optical loss testing (OLTS)
  • OTDR
  • Power Meters
  • Fibre identifiers
  
  
  Equipment Used:
  
  
  

  Telefocal uses state-of-the-art fibre optic equipment and supplies in all its courses. Our courses are technology based, which gives us the flexibility to select the best equipment and supplies available. You can learn using our equipment or you can bring your own equipment and learn how to use it more effectively.

  Equipment used
  
  • Connector curing ovens
  • Variety of connector types
  • Anaerobic epoxies
  • Polishing plates and films
  • Polishing and cleaving tools
  • Variety of mechanical splicers
  • Variety of singlemode cable types
  • Optical loss testing equipment
  • Variety of optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs)
  • Variety of light sources
  • Talk sets
  • Variety of jumpers
  • Safety equipment
  • MSDS
  
  
  

  Another advantage of technology-based training is that class time is spent teaching and not selling. You learn the theory, operation and application of various tools and equipment.

  Course material and techniques are based on the ITU, TIA/EIA, IEEE and ANSI standards. This allows you to understand and effectively use any manufacturer’s equipment or product designed to conform to these widely accepted standards.

CERTIFICATION

At the completion of this course, students will be administered a written exam and a practical exam. If pass the written exam with at least a 75% or higher and passes the practical exam with an 80% or higher, the student will receive their CFOI certificate.

Telefocal will maintain a master database of the students and where requested by student we will verify fibre certification to third parties.

• Recertification requirements:
  

  With the rapid changes in technology and products within the optical fibre industry, CFOI certification must be renewed every two years, thus demonstrating that as a certified optical fibre technician is keeping up with current technology and enhancing their abilities and knowledge. Recertification entails that technicians must:

  • Show proof of having at least twenty-four hours of continuing education credits each year; or,
  • Written documentation from Employer reflecting the number of connectors, splices, and fibre strands tested during the past two years (technician logs are recommended). A minimum of 600 connectors, splices, and test are required per year for renewal; and,
  • Attend a 4 hour refresher course and pass a 75-question test.