College of Micronesia-FSM
PO Box 159
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Course Title:
Fiber Optics Installation
Department & Number:
VTE 261
Course Description: This course is designed to teach students how to safely and properly splice,
terminate, and test fiber optics cables. Students will be using the latest technology to
troubleshoot and repair fiber optics cables. Coursework will include the use of mechanical and
fusion splicing, termination techniques on various types of fiber optic end connectors, the use of
the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) to troubleshoot fiber optics cables, and the use
of light source & power meter.
Course Prepared by: Gardner Edgar
Hours per week
Lecture
Laboratory
Workshop
___3____
________
________
Purpose of Course:

State:
No. of week
x
x
x
__16___
_______
_______
Pohnpei
Total Hours
x __48__
x ______
x ______
Degree Requirement
Degree Elective
Certificate
Other
Semester Credits
=
=
=
_____3____
___________
___________
_____X____
_____X____
___________
_____X____
This course also meets PLO #(s): NA
Prerequisite Courses: VEE104 or VEM104
_________________________________________
Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum & Assessment
Committee
________________________________________
Signature, VPIA, COM-FSM
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
__________________
Date Approved
__________________
Date Approved
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:
1. Practice Safety and occupational health procedures in the workplace.
2. Use electronic tools and test equipment competently.
3. Interpret schematic diagrams and waveforms.
4. Build electronic projects to a given specification.
5. Practice a career in the Telecom industry.
6. Troubleshoot microwave, fiber optic, and telephone systems.
B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:
1. Describe the fundamentals of a fiber optic communication system.
2. Explain the safety precautions and the proper work practices associated with fiber optics
3. List the applications and advantages of fiber optics.
4. Describe the construction, components, tools, and operating characteristics of a fiber optic
cable.
5. Identify and describe the loss factors in a fiber optics cable.
6. Describe the proper procedures of a fiber optics installation in compliance with NEC and
TIA/EIA standards.
7. Safely and properly use the OTDR to test and troubleshoot a fiber optic cable or installation.
8. Safely and properly prepare a fiber optic cable.
9. Safely and properly perform fiber preparation procedures.
10. Safely and properly perform fiber optics splicing procedures: Fusion and Mechanical.
SLO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
PLO 1
PLO 2
PLO 3
DM
PLO 4
PLO 5
PLO 6
DM
IDM
M
M
IDM
IDM
DM
DM
IDM
DM
DM
DM
DM
IDM
M
M
IDM
IDM
DM
IDM
IDM
DM
DM
IDM
I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) -SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
General SLO 1. Describe the fundamentals of a fiber optic communication system.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
1.1. Describe the block diagram of a fiber optic
link
1.2. Define the use of electronics to gather, store,
manipulate and move information.
1.3. Describe the role of fiber optics as a
communications medium
1.4. Discuss the milestone in optical system
1.5. Differentiate copper and fiber in terms of
carriers.
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
1.6. Define mode and list two modes of fiber
1.7. List applications of single-mode and
multimode
1.8. Describe three basic parts of a fiber
1.9. Identify and describe three wavelengths of
lights used in fiber optics systems.
General SLO 2: Explain the safety precautions/hazards and the proper work practices
associated with fiber optics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
2.1. List safety rules before handling fiber
2.2. Follow all safety regulations OSHA and
NEC
2.3. Present
environment
a
proper
and
safe
working
2.4. Identify various potential hazards associated
with fiber optics (electrical, glass particle,
chemical, radiation)
2.5. Describe classes of laser (class 1, class 2,
class 3, and class 4)
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
2.6. Explain the proper procedures of disposing
of fiber and cleaning materials
2.7. Identify proper safety equipment used when
working with fiber
2.8. Define MSDS form
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
2.9. Identify the authorized chemicals used in
fiber preparations
General SLO 3: List the applications and advantages of fiber optics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
3.1. List the applications
telecommunications
of
fiber
in
3.2. Describe the application in premise wiring
3.3. Describe the applications in LAN, factory
automation, and military.
3.4. Describe wide bandwidth
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
3.5. Describe low loss
3.6. Define electromagnetic immunity (EMI)
3.7. Describe light weight and physical size
compared to copper cable.
General SLO 4: Describe the construction, components, tools, and operating characteristics of
a fiber optic cable.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
4.1. Describe primary and secondary coatings
4.2. Explain the cable construction process
4.3. Identify cable testing techniques
4.4. Identify cable components
4.5. Describe hybrid, plenum, and riser cables
4.6. Identify two types of indoor cables
4.7. Describe loose tube gel filled (LTGF)
4.8. Explain the difference between connectors
and splices
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
4.9. Identify the types of connectors being used in
optical system
4.10. Identify the two types of splices used in
optical system
4.11. List the color code of fiber cable in order.
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
General SLO 5: Identify and describe the loss factors in a fiber optic cable.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
5.1. Describe the conditions for low loss testing
5.2. Identify sources of loss in fiber systems
5.3. Describe
interconnection
causes
of
losses
in
an
5.4. Explain attenuation
5.5. Define decibel (dB) and decibel milli-watt
(dBm)
5.6. Describe fiber termination losses
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
5.7. Define microbend and macrobend losses
5.8. Describe absorption and light scattering on a
optical system
5.9. Explain the effects of bend radius on a
optical system
General SLO 6: Describe the proper procedures of a fiber optic installation in compliance with
NEC and TIA/EIA standards.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
6.1. Define NEC and TIA/EIA standards
6.2. Outline material and equipment list
6.3. Explain the amount of slack to be placed on
ends of the fiber, splice points, manholes, and
junction boxes
6.4. Define minimum bend radius and pulling
tension of the fiber optic cable
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning and written
tests.
6.5. Prepare cable system records: Outline
sequential records
6.6. List the standards in the TIA/EIA standard
General SLO 7: Safely and properly use the OTDR to test and troubleshoot a fiber optic cable.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
7.1. Identify various sections of an OTDR
7.2. Explain the basic operation of an OTDR
7.3. Identify testing procedures using the OTDR
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
7.4. Define OTDR
7.5. Define Rayleigh scattering,
reflection, and backscatter.
Fresnel
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning, written, and
practical tests.
7.6. Define dynamic range and dead zone.
7.7. Determine connector types and external
interfaces used in OTDR
7.8. List wavelengths associated with singlemode and multimode fibers.
7.9. Define long pulse & short pulse and usage in
optical system
7.10. Perform fault locations, distance and loss
measurements on fiber optic cables
7.11. Perform Reflectance test on fiber optic
cables
7.12. Perform automatic test on fiber optic cables
7.13. Perform non-reflective break test on fiber
optic cables
7.14. Determine ghost reflection on the OTDR
General SLO 8: Safely and properly prepare a fiber optic cable.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
8.1. Observe the proper procedures in preparation
of fiber optic cable
8.2. Identify proper tools in preparing the fiber
optic cable
8.3. List all safety precautions when preparing
fiber optic cable
8.4. Remove sheath from non-armored and
armored fiber cable using the proper tool
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning, written, and
practical exams and class project.
8.5. Remove central strength member on fiber
optic cable
8.6. Remove filled gel with filled cleaner and lint
free cloth
8.7. Remove buffer tube with the proper tool to
expose fiber stands for termination or splicing
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
8.8. List all applicable building codes to follow
when preparing fiber optic cable
8.9. Prepare the fiber optic cable for grounding
and bonding in compliance with all building
codes and standards outline in the TIA/EIA
General SLO 9: Safely and properly perform fiber preparation procedures.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
9.1. Explain the importance of cleanliness and
using proper work practices when working with
fiber
9.2. Explain the importance of stripping and
cleaving when working with fiber
9.3. Strip fiber to the approximate length
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning, written, and
practical tests.
9.4. Clean fiber using recommended field cleaner
9.5. Cleave fiber using cleaver most commonly
used in the industry.
General SLO 10: Safely and properly perform fiber optics splicing procedures
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
10.1. Perform a 0.2dB loss on fusion splicing
10.2. Prepare fiber for fusion splicing
10.3. Strip fiber to proper length for fusion
splicing
10.4. Cleave fiber for fusion splicing
10.5. Clean and splice fiber using fusion splicer
10.6. Test fiber for total attenuation loss
10.7. Perform a 0.2dB loss on mechanical
splicing
Competence will be demonstrated
through oral questioning, written, and
practical tests.
10.8. Prepare fiber for mechanical splicing
10.9. Strip fiber to proper length for mechanical
splicing
10.10. Cleave fiber for mechanical splicing
10.11. Clean and splice fiber using mechanical
method
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
10.12. Test fiber for total attenuation loss
D. COURSE CONTENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Fundamentals of fiber optics systems
Safety in fiber optics
Applications and advantages of fiber optics
Fiber Optics System
Loss Factors in fiber optics systems
Installing Fiber Optic Cable
The use of OTDR
Preparing Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber Preparation
Fiber Optic Splicing
E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
1. Lecture/Discussion/Demonstration
2. Practical Performance/Project
3. Video Presentation/Field Trip
F. REQURIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Woodward, B., & Husson, E. B., (2005) Fiber Optics Installer and Technician Guide,
Alameda CA: Sybex (or most recent edition)
Fiber Optics Training Materials, Tools, and Testing Equipment
G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
None
H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None
I. EVALUATION
None
J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None
VTE261 FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 1/18/12
APPROVED BY VPIA: 1/30/12