July, 2007

In This Issue
 
Industrial Fiber Optics
 
Report From FTTx Summit in New England
Dig Safely - It's Important
 
Looking For a Fiber Optic Installer? CFOT's should register online. Use the FOA Installer Database Free!
 
Looking For Jobs - several this month. See Below
 
New Tech Topics: Why are there 4 ways (maybe 5) to test fiber ? (PDF) How do you clean connections?
 
Tech Puzzler - test your fiber knowledge!
 

NEW: Sign up for the new FOA eMail Newsletter


The Archives: Previous Issues: 06/07, 05/07, 04/07, 03/07 , 2/07, 1/07

12/06, 11/06, 10/06, 09/06, 8/06, 7/06, 6/06, 5/06, 4/06, 3/06, 2/06, 1/06,

12/05,11/05, 10/05, 09/05, 08/05, 07/05, 6/05, 5/05, 4/05, 2/05, 01/05,

12/04, 10/04, 9/04, 8/04, 7/04, 6/04, 5/04, 4/04, 3/04, 1/04,

12/03, 11/03 10/03 9/03, 8/03, 7/03, 6/03, 3/03, 10/02 , 8/02, 5/02


The FOA Instructor Certifies Industrial TechniciansTom Collins Teaching

When you think of fiber optics systems the last application that usually comes to mind is the operational controls of an industrial machine. Walk thru a modern factory and you will see a very high technical environment with maintenance technicians trained in industrial networking systems and their components. Of course, they are using fiber optics to network these systems together.

During the past year Tom Collins (right, in yellow shirt), member of the Board of Directors of the Fiber Optic Association and a full-time instructor at Gateway Technical College has worked with major players in the automotive, printing, and robotic industries to develop an industrial fiber optic training program that fits their needs. The industrial market has been long overlooked as large user of fiber optics. They are using fiber optics to connect their industrial process controls as well as factory networking. Industrial applications are now requiring greater bandwidth and faster speeds as well as the elimination of interference from unwanted signals.

After numerous visits to various industrial sites Tom found the industrial environment contains networks using singlemode, multimode, and plastic fiber optics. The next step in developing the program, was to contact the Plastic Optical Fiber Trade Association to share their training resources. Tom developed a program customized to electrical and mechanical technicians with interactive industrial-oriented labs.

Following the beta test groups, the program received very positive feedback from both the technicians and the companies. During the training sessions the industrial technicians brainstormed ideas to incorporate fiber optics into many other industrial applications. One result from the test group was the realization that fiber optics can be incorporated into other industrial applications such as CCTV cameras, quality control processes, and fiber optic lighting.

The Fiber Optic Association is proud to be part of the industrial revolution that is occurring in our factories. We welcome the newest Fiber Optic Association members that have completed the industrial fiber optic program. We also applaud the companies that have invested in their employees as well as the fiber optic technology. The FOA intends to continue its focus on this expanding technology.


 
FTTH News
 
 
The FOA, responding to industry needs to provide more trained techs for FTTx instalations, staged the first East Coast version of our very successful FTTx Summit Meetings aimed at contractors, installers, teachers and vendors. Following up on the highly successful "Fiber To The Home" Summit Meeting this January at LA Trade Technical College in Los Angeles, The FOA held a Summit meeting in New England on June 12 at NH Technical College in Portsmouth, NH.

The FOA FTTx Summit included presentations about FOA markets by Paul Polishuk of IGI and FTTx technology and products by Corning, OFS, ADC and JDSU. Presentations about job opportunities by Verizon covered CO and field jobs. About 60 attendees were able to learn about FTTx technology and meet the people involved.

Dave Miller of NHTC and Jim Hayes start the day off.

 

Bob Whitman of Corning reviews FTTx markets, technologies and products.

 

Lew Welstead of Verizon HR talks about job opportunities. Openings are available for distribution and drop (home) installers as well as CO support personnel. Details of openings are posted on the Verizon website.

More Verizon FTTx News

Verizon Interviewed about FiOS TV on Cable360net.

FiOS Pays Off Better Than Expected (ZDnet)

Want To Learn More About FTTx?
The FOA has created a special FTTx resources section of our website with a FTTx links page with lots of links to news, market reports, technical articles and vendor technical and product information. Here is a great place to start learning more about FTTx.
FOA's CFxT FTTx Certification Program Explained
Read the Broadband Properties article about the FOA FTTx certification program.


 Digging Safely

The old story (not a joke!) about the most likely fiber optic communications system failure being caused by "backhoe fade" reminds us that digging safely is vitally important. The risk is not just interrupting communications, but the life-threatening risk of digging up high voltage or gas lines.

There is a website called "Common Ground Alliance" that focuses directly on this issue. Here is how they describe themselves:

Damage Prevention is a Shared Responsibility
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven association dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by promoting effective damage prevention practices.    In recent years, the association has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to all underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

Of special interest is their "Best Practices" Manual, available for downloading. If you do OSP installs, please get yourself a copy and read it.

http://www.commongroundalliance.com/

There is a new toll-free "call before you dig" number: 811

See www.call811.com for more information


 

Best Laugh Of The Month

Contributed by a reader of IEEE COMSOC magazine...

CuPON: The Copper Alternative to PON 100 Gb/s DSL Networks

The authors investigate the ultimate bandwidth limits of a copper DSL binder of 200 telephone line connections, finding the ultimate available shared data bandwidth to be 100 Gb/s. A new "Copper-PON" or, more compactly CuPON multidropping DSL architecture enables DSL bandwidth sharing and increases data rates through exploitation of all modes of crosstalk, particularly with the use of vectored dynamic spectrum management. The inevitable emerging conclusion raises an intriguing question about the broadband access evolution of telecommunications networks: Why deploy currently available or contemplated passive fiber systems when the existing last kilometer of copper can provide broadband gigabits per second to everyone?

John M. Cioffi, Sumanth Jagannathan, Mehdi Mohseni, and George Ginis, Stanford University and ASSIA Inc.

What are they talking about? Using 200 pairs of copper wires simultaneously to send signals. Would any of them care to comment on our questions: Do you know what the cost of that copper would be or how much a 200 pair cable would bring as scrap copper? How much will the electronics for 200 channels cost? How much power will it consume? And, by the way, what do you do with the subscribers using the other pairs in the cable? Finally, who paid for your work? (We can guess!)


POF is Slow, Right?

No - wrong. Siemens has achieved gigabit rates on POF. Using modulation techniques similar to DSL, Siemens has been able to compress signals into bandwidth compatible with POF. This could make POF even more attractive for applications like home systems. (See below.)


Switching Light With Magnets

Work being done at US Naval Research Labs and the Unversity of Alberta, Canada, have shown that light can be controlled by magnets in small transistor-like devices, opening new possibilities for optical switching, computing, etc. Read more.


Air-Blown Fiber Finally Recognized In International Standard

Air-blown fiber has been around for a long time, but has not been widely used in place of conventional cables, in part perhaps, because it was seen as a proprietary, non-stnadard, solution to installing fiber. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has published the first blown fiber standard, IEC 60794-5. One obstacle for blown fiber use has been the lack of a recognized standard for components, installation and testing. With publication of this standard, it may become more acceptable to end users wary of proprietary solutions. Read More. Here is an explanation on it's use from Emtelle.


Market Forecast: SCS MARKET FORECAST TO GROW 18.6%

HUMMELSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, JUNE 1, 2007 - Frank Murawski, President of FTM Consulting, Inc., announced the publication of its latest market research study on the structured cabling systems (SCS) market. In this new study, Structured Cabling Systems Market: 2007, the total U.S. SCS market is forecast to grow at a rate of 18.6%, from $6.8 billion in 2007 to $15.9 billion by 2012. Frank commented that this growth is higher than previously reported, as newer network applications are expected to grow dramatically in the future. These include VOIP, data centers and video over IP. Frank stated, ?We see the SCS cabling architecture evolving to a universal enterprise network consisting of the current primary installed LAN networks supporting newer IP sub nets, such as voice with VOIP, data for the data centers and video via video over IP.?

The study segments cabling applications into five major categories:

1) LANs
2) Data Centers
3) VOIP
4) Video over IP
5) Other such as wireless

Even though the current growth market is data centers, the study indicates that the highest growth market in the future will be VOIP. By 2012, the largest market for Cat 6a cables is projected to be VOIP followed by data centers. The largest market for fiber cable is forecast to be LANs, with data centers trailing by the year 2012. The longer cable backbone runs for LANs, compared to the shorter cable runs inside data centers, is the primary reason for LANs to continue to be the largest market for fiber cables. The study contains other valuable product forecast data, including detailed product forecasts by each of the five cabling applications, which provides insight into future major market opportunities for the SCS suppliers.

Frank Murawski, President
FTM Consulting, Inc.
717-533-4990
ftm.consulting@verizon.net

 

What Has Much Higher Resolution Than An OTDR?

A reflectometer that works in the frequency domain instead of the time domain has higher resolution than a OTDR, with dead zone measured in cm, not tens of meters. Few manufactureres had ever considered it a commercially feasible instrument and to our knowledge they were all very expensive until now, when a converter for RF spectrum analyzers has been introduced. (Mind you, RF spectrum analyzers are not cheap.) Theoretically this should be a very useful product for manufacturers of connection components and patchcords, even some specialized installers (shipboard or aircraft, for example.) The instrument is called a "Sidelighter" and product info is on the Fiberoptic.com website.

We'l like to have some user reports - anybody had experience with this device?


Home Tech - Needed To Take Advantage of FTTH

Once a home has a broadband connection, which we hope is fiber to the home, but could be DSL or Cable Modem, the usage of all that bandwidth depends on distribution within the home. The in-home connections can be UTP or Coax copper, wireless or fiber. But architects and home builders must learn how to build homes to take advantage of broadband connections. The FOA, in conjunction with the Structured Cabling Association, have started working with home builders to bring them up to speed. You can see the first tutorial we have jointly developed at the SCA website.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Improving Vendor Training

From CEPro.com

The FOA is always interested in hints on improving training, and we though this was quite good.

3 Ways to Improve Vendor Training Sessions
If you represent a vendor, whether as a rep or a full-time trainer, here are some simple suggestions to ensure that your audience is receptive to
your message.

http://www.cepro.com/article/3_ways_to_improve_vendor_training_sessions/K5&utm_source=CEPWeekly&utm_medium=email/


Download This!
 
There are tons of technical application notes and videos on the web, and occasionally we recommend some you should download. The JDSU fiber testing guide is really worthwhile, as are the ADC FTTx book and Westover video on fiber inspection and cleaning, linked below.
 
JDSU Testing Book
JDSU offers a free download of their Testing Guide from the Lightwave website. This is one great book which explains some basic fiber technology, but the real value is the last half which deals with OTDR testing. Not only does it give the usual info, but it covers important topics like measurement uncertainties and anomolies like ghosts and gainers.
 
I was in the testing business for 20+ years at Fotec and think this book is one of the best fiber optic testing texts available. It's complete but comprehenisble! I used to believe that premises techs did not need OTDR training, but now OTDR manufacturers are pushing their use in premises networks. Unfortunately, the limitations of OTDRs in premises applications can cause extreme problems for those who are not aware of their limitations. So knowing hows OTDRs work is essential information to every tech. 
JH
 
Download yourself a copy and read it! http://lw.pennnet.com/whitepapers/wp.cfm?id=665
 
Westover Application Notes And Cleaning Video
Westover has several application notes on inspecting and cleaning fiber optic connectors. The video is a big file (50+MB) but a good tutorial.
Download page: http://www.westoverfiber.com/Support/downloads.php
 
ADC's Book On FTTx
ADC has an excellend book on FTTx. Here is a link to request a copy: http://www.adc.com/productsandservices/productsolutions/fttp/book/index.jsp
 

 
Now In Spanish: FOA Textbook & Text For FOA Advanced Certifications
The FOA's textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual, is used by our approved schools around the world to teach fiber optics. Book Details: Manual Del Technico De Fibra Optica, Published by Thomson Delmar Learning, ISBN 1-4180-6121-2
If you are getting started in fiber optics and Spanish is your native language, you can download an introduction to fiber optics in Spanish here.
 
Eric Pearson's book that is used for the CFOS/I reference book, Successful Fiber Optic Installation, is also now available in Spanish.
 
Contact the FOA for more information.
 
 
 
 

 
NEW-FOA Technical Bulletins/Tech Topics
 
Testing Update
Are there really 5 different ways to test optical fiber cabling after installation? Why so many? How do the measurements - and more importantly the measurement results - differ? What are the advanteages and disadvantages of each method?
Why are there 4 ways (maybe 5) to test fiber optic cables?
Do OTDRs and OLTS tests give the same results?
 
Technical Bulletins
How do you design and manufacture fiber optic systems? Choose and install one to serve your communications needs? Troubleshoot problems? The FOA Fiber Optic Technical Bulletins will provide step-by-step guidelines to help you. All are PDF files you can download, print and use.
Designing and manufacturing fiber optic communications products for manufacturers.
Choosing, installing and using fiber optic producst for users.
Troubleshooting fiber optic cable plants and communcations systems.
 
New Tech Topics
Updated link specs for fiber optic networks - now includes 10G Ethernet.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on General Topics and Testing
Fiber Or Copper? Making decisions, overview and LANs
How do you clean connections?

Links:

Bob Ballard of FOA-Approved School BDI Datalink has a neat website with some good technical content. Be sure to pay particular attention to these pages:
http://www.bdidatalynk.com/mythsoffiberoptics.html and http://www.bdidatalynk.com/askdoctor.html

Like Good Technical Videos? Try NECA/IBEW/JATC's Electric TV.


Job Openings
 

Senior Quality Engineer - Fiber Connectivity Solutions
Location:Midwest USA
Our client is a leading public global equipment supplier that offers high-quality, value-added solutions of network equipment, software and systems integration services to telecommunications, cable television, broadcast, wireless, and enterprise networks. Their products enable the delivery of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services to consumers and industry. Their products perform critical functions that ensure the quality and reliability of broadband networks throughout the globe.
Our client is a multi product company commanding significant market share with a strong balance sheet to invest in products and markets.
 
About The Position:
Common Agenda has been entrusted to conduct a search for an exceptional Senior Quality Engineer. The Senior Quality Engineer will provide product testing assistance to the Global Connectivity Solutions organization. This person will develop, implement and continually improve product evaluation methods. In addition, this person will assure new product designs and processes, or re-designed products and processes meet or exceed customer and company quality expectations. This individual will ensure that product design documentation complies with internal and external customer requirements. The Senior Quality Engineer will also lead quality improvement efforts by forming and facilitating improvement teams.
Responsibilities will include the following:
- Utilize expertise in product testing to provide solutions to testing needs. If necessary purchase equipment, write software, design fixturing, and develop new test methods to meet needs.
- Develop, maintain and improve general lab data acquisition, data analysis, and test method capabilities.
- Participate in product development team efforts.
- Lead quality improvement efforts by identifying opportunities, and then forming and facilitating improvement teams.
- Apply advanced methods to improve quality and reliability data analysis where appropriate.
- Pursue self-development through advanced training in fiber optics, quality, reliability, measurement, inspection, manufacturing, and other specific product and industry technologies relevant to the job.
- Perform basic budgeting, scheduling and personnel tasks as requested by the manager.
 
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor degree in engineering.
- Broad technical knowledge within applicable areas of expertise including product applications and basic market knowledge.
- Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience.
- Experience with fiber optics and fiber optic test equipment.
- Familiarity with standards such as Telcordia GR-326 for fiber optic connectors, GR-1209 for passive optical components, GR-20 and 409 for optical fiber and cable, and EIA/TIA fiber optic test procedures.
- Programming experience with Visual Basic and LabView.
- Local, out-of-state, and international travel may be required infrequently

Please refer to Job Number: 2639
 
Contact: Diane L. McGrath
(732) 223-7114 Ext. 109
dmcgrath@commonagenda.com
617 Union Avenue · PO Box 711 · Brielle, NJ 08730 · Ph. (732) 223-7114 · Fax: (732) 223-7116
 

 
Fiber Contractors / Installers, Saudia Arabia
 
Looking for a strong outside plant contracting company, especially in the fiber optic cables installation (Long Distance and Fiber to Home), to team with our company for a large projects in Saudi Arabia .
 
International Tech for Communications Co. Ltd (ITCC)
Adnan Jarrouj - GM
Mobile: +966-50-183 6163
TL : +966 -1- 465 7295
Fax: +966-1- 464-4338
email: ajarrouj@yahoo.com
 

Fiber Optics And Photonics Technicians, Woburn, MA
 
Agiltron, a fast growing optical components and sensors company, has a dozen
positions to be filled in the coming months, due to new design wins and
business organic expansion.
The expertise sought after:
1. Optical MEMS design and processing
2. Electronics and control firmware
3. Imaging processing
4. Optical engineering
5. Radar
6. Microwave photonics
7. RF electronics
9. Fiberoptics

Please send resume to <humanresource@agiltron.com>

ADC Looking For CO Techs
DC Power Installers and Equipment Installer Level III Candidates. We are looking for individuals who have proven success working in a Central Office environment. Candidates should have the ability to lead others and to travel extensively.
 
We are currently looking for a Central Office Equipment Installer, level III for Newark, N.J and surrounding areas.
Equipment Installers are responsible for the installation of equipment used in voice, video, fiber optics and data telecommunications networks. Level III Installers also, analyze, plan, layout and assign installation activity to other installation personnel. Act as subject matter expert on provisioning, activating and testing ADC and OEM electronic equipment.

We are currently looking for DC Power Equipment Installers, Level IV to cover installation projects in the Northeastern part of the country. DC Power Equipment Installers are responsible for the installation of equipment such as batteries, rectifiers, PBD's, BDFB's and associated infrastructure used in telecommunications networks. Analyze, plan, layout and assign installation activity to other installation personnel. Act as subject matter expert on provisioning, activating and testing 24 and 48 volt DC electronic equipment. Candidates should have experience programming DGU(s), LMS(s), Milleniums, Galaxy(s)s, etc.
Candidates are invited to post their resumes on our web site, www.adc.com. Once there, Candidates can view open jobs and apply to them by clicking on the "careers" link. 
 
 
Kevin Geathers,
Sr. Staffing Specialist
ADC Telecommunications
1-800-833-8843 x 6317

 
 
 

 
Verizon: Fiber Network Field Technician (Outside Field Technician)
Openings in the following areas: CA, TX, WA, OR, VA, MA, NJ, RI
 
Take your career to new heights at a company that's a leader in global communications: Verizon. We offer an unparalleled opportunity to advance your career while contributing in an enthusiastic, team-oriented environment.
Primary duties include, but are not limited to:
Install, remove, rearrange, program, test, troubleshoot and maintain fiber network services.
Install and configure routers, set top boxes.  May assist with installation of PC software as needed and ensure proper configuration of the customer's PC.  Interact with the Fiber Solution Center as needed.  May install appropriate inside wire/cable.
Install, maintain and repair outside and inside fiber equipment/facilities including inside wiring and fiber jumpers at the distribution hub.
Interface with customer to negotiate the placement of equipment; may assist with account registration, e-mail, and web access, and training the customer on how to use the new equipment.  Ensure customer satisfaction.  Respond to inquiries and provide follow-up, as necessary.
Interpret schematic work order drawings to determine job specifications and installation needs.  Order and/or obtain required equipment.  Effect problem solving where appropriate.
Utilize various test equipment to analyze equipment trouble and take appropriate maintenance action.
Skills/Requirements:
Requires high level of customer contact to ensure customer satisfaction.
Climbing poles and ladders; lifting 75-100 pounds on a regular basis; pushing, reaching, bending and stooping; manual dexterity; good sense of balance; and good color vision.
Must have a current/valid California Drivers License and a clean driving record.
Qualified candidates must pass all company required tests, a pre-employment drug screen and a background check. In addition, candidates will be required to successfully pass a legally required DOJ Criminal Records Check/screening process (fingerprinting).
Candidates must be able to work any shift given, including days, weekends, holidays and overtime as required.
Verizon offers:
Hourly rate for this position is $12.87-28.55.  Wage credit may be granted for related work experience and/or college degree.
Benefits include medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) with Company match and paid vacation
interested candidates should go to https://www22.verizon.com/about/careers/fiberjobs.html to apply AND schedule themselves for testing.
Thank you for showing an interest in Verizon!
Verizon is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer supporting workforce diversity. m/f/d/v. Principals only! 

 
Cable Splicing Technicians-Multiple Locations
API Systems has been in business since 1992 and has fostered long lasting relationships amongst various Fortune clients, cutting edge technology companies and government clients. At this time, we have openings for Cable Splicing Technicians for a 6 month project in multiple locations. If interested, please review below and contact me for more information.
Makes and completes splices in various types of communication cables;
Makes rearrangements in existing splices of such cables
Cuts in cable terminals
Makes cable terminations
Tests, locates and corrects faults in such splices and cables when required
Places cable and terminals when required
Prepares records and reports as required
Does other preventive and corrective cable maintenance work, etc.

Training provided if necessary

Locations available:
All locations in Texas
Kansas (Topeka, Wichita)
Oklahoma (Tulsa, Oklahoma City)
Missouri (St. Louis, Raytown, Springfield, Joplin)
Arkansas (Little Rock, Hope, Warren, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Batesville, Jonesboro)

Duration: 6 months

Steve Colavito
A
PI Systems, Inc.
scolavito@apimail.net
| Ph: 973 328 3328 x 246 | Cell: 732 996 4305 | Fax: 973 328 3371 |
| 3117 Route 10 East Denville NJ 07834 | www.apisystemsinc.com |
About API Systems, Inc.:
Founded in 1992, API Systems is an IT Services Company offering our expertise to various well known, quality-driven clients nationwide. With global capabilities, API is devoted to promoting increased profitability and productivity through the efficient use of IT.
Award Winning Solution Provider
·          IT Infrastructure
·          Audio Video and Content Delivery
·          Application Development and Maintenance
·          Staffing and Project Services
 

 
Technical Personnel Available -Experienced In Manufacturing Fiber Optic Components and Systems
 
Northrop Grumman decided to close its Fibersense Technology facility in Canton, MA . The facility employs 160 people, producing Fiber Optics Gyroscopes. Fiber optic gyro is made of state of the art PM fibers, phase modulators, splitters, light sources (fiber and diode sources), receivers,
with advanced packaging and electronics implementation. The hardware and production line are being transferred to the west coast plants. This phase-out started already, and the tentative closure is by July.

Expert resources are available and looking for alternative employment in Massachusetts:
Optical technicians
Fiber optics sensor assembly technicians
Electrical technicians
Photonic R &D technician
All categories of engineers 

If you have an interest in any of the above, please send me e mail and I will ask the relevant people to contact you.

Ram Yahalom
R & D Manager
Northrop Grumman - Navigation System Division
Canton, MA
Ram.Yahalom@NGC.com
781-232-2225 (w)



 
 
 
Also Check Recent Job Openings In Previous Issues of The FOA Newsletter

 


 
 
Tech Puzzler
How many different ways are there to set a "0 dB" reference for insertion loss testing? For the answer, see below.
 
 
 
 
Answer below
 
 
 

Understanding FOA Certifications
To answer questions on FOA certifications, we've created several new web pages:
Overview of FOA certifications
CFOT
CFxT
AFOT
CFOS
Training Requirements - What Schools Are Teaching
 
Reading these will help you understand what each FOA certification covers and how to prepare for them.
 

New Professional Society for Structured Cabling Recognizes Importance of Fiber Optics (and Wireless)
The new Structured Cabling Association, Inc. (http://www.scausa.org/) is a professional society aimed at installers of "structured cabling" or premises cabling. Structured cabling has been focused on so-called "Cat 5" or UTP cabling for years, while network speeds have left UTP behind. Now most backbones for LANs are fiber optics and every network seems to have wireless. The SCA, founded in part by FOA activists Tom Collins and Jim Hayes, intends to make structured cabling training and certification more relevant to today's world.
 

 
FOA Logo Merchandise
FOA has arranged with EmbroidMe to provide FOA logo merchandies. Identify yourself as a FOA-certified tech or instructor. The lab coats are super impressive for either cabling techs and instructors. Check out the selection.
 

 

 

 
FOA CFOT Renewals Get Free Copy of NECA/FOA Installation Standard
Every CFOT renewal will now receive a free copy of NECA 301-2004, Installing And Testing Fiber Optic Cables, produced by The FOA in cooperation with NECA (The National Electrical Contractors Association). This is an important reference document for defining the installation and testing of fiber optic cable plants in a "neat and workmanlike manner."
The FOA feels this is such an important document that we are giving a free copy (normally priced at $15) to every active CFOT when they renew their active status.
The FOA has also sent free copies to all FOA-Approved schools. The new FOA CFOT exam to be used after August, 2005, will include questions from the standard. Schools should be including information from the standard in their classes already.
 
 
 

FOA Certification Top Choice

The FOA CFOT and CFOS programs continue to gain momentum in fiber optics. Over 20,000 CFOTs have been certified by over 160 schools as the FOA enters its 12th year. Since our founding in July, 1995, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting fiber optics and professionalism in fiber optics personnel, focusing on education and certification. We are continuing to add new schools and more CFOTs as users of fiber optics learn that a CFOT is the indication of a professional, well-trained fiber optic technician. Now with FTTH (fiber to the home) finally taking off, demand for CFOTs is rising and schools are responding by expanding programs rapidly.
The FOA now has approved programs at 160+ organizations, welcoming new additions like the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Corning Cable Systems and AFL for their installation training programs and NASA's Goldstone Tracking Station. The complete list of FOA-Approved schools is at http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm.

 


Your Name, CFOT - It pays to advertise!

The FOA encourages CFOTs to use the logo on their business cards, letterhead, truck or van, etc. and provides logo files on this site for that purpose. But we are also asked about how to use the CFOT or CFOS certifications. Easy, you can refer to yourself as "Your Name, CFOT" or "Your Name, CFOS/T" for example.

Feel free to use the logo and designations to promote your achievements and professionalism!

 


Remember To Renew Your Certification !

Remember to renew your FOA certification. All current CFOTs have a ID Card with their certification data and we keep a database of current CFOTs to answer inquiries regarding your qualifications if needed. You must be a current FOA member and CFOT to participate in our online database of installers, contractors, technicians and consultants. If you forgot to renew, use the online application form to renew NOW!

 


 

To Contact The FOA:
 
The Fiber Optic Association
1119 S Mission Road, # 355
Fallbrook, CA 92028
 
Office Hours 10AM-5 PM Pacific Time
Telephone: 760-451-3655
Fax: 781-207-2421
info@thefoa.org




Want to write for the FOA Newsletter? Send us articles, news, anything you think might be interesting to the rest of the membership!



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(C)1999-2007, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.


Tech Puzzler:

There are three ways to set a "0 dB" reference for insertion loss testing in order to accomodate the different connectors on cables, patchcords and test equipment. For example, if all connectors are SCs, a single cable reference (OFSTP-14, Method B) works. If you are testing a plug and jack connector like a MT-RJ or FiberJack, you probably will have to use a 3 cable reference (OFSTP-14, Method C). Test sets with different connectors from the cable plant, say LCs in the cable plant, can use a 2 cable refrerence. (OFSTP-14, Method A). All three methods are generally acceptable as long as the method is documented, as the results differ. See this for more info.

See the Lennie Lightwave for a complete tutorial on OTDRs and more.