Fiber Optic System Components and Equipment Flashcards
6 cards from real CFOT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Fiber Optic System Components and Equipment flashcards as text
What is the primary advantage of using a mechanical splice over a fusion splice in field repairs?
Answer: No electrical power or fusion splicer equipment is required
Mechanical splices can be performed with simple hand tools and require no power source, making them useful for emergency repairs in locations where equipment is unavailable.
In a fiber optic distribution frame (ODF), what is the purpose of the splice tray?
Answer: Organize and protect fusion or mechanical splices between pigtails and incoming fiber
Splice trays hold and protect individual fiber splices, keeping them organized and preventing stress or bending that could increase splice loss.
What is the function of a fiber optic media converter?
Answer: Convert electrical (copper) signals to optical signals to extend network reach over fiber
A media converter translates between copper (electrical) and fiber optic (optical) interfaces, allowing fiber to extend network links beyond copper's distance limits.
What does 'reach' refer to in the context of fiber optic transceiver specifications?
Answer: The maximum supported transmission distance for the transceiver at a given data rate
Reach specifies how far a transceiver can transmit data reliably, such as SR (short reach ~100 m), LR (long reach ~10 km), or ZR (~80 km).
Which type of optical coupler/splitter divides one optical input into two or more outputs while maintaining a defined split ratio?
Answer: Fused biconical taper (FBT) or planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter
FBT and PLC splitters are passive optical components that divide an optical signal into multiple outputs at a defined ratio, commonly used in PON networks.
In a fiber optic link, what is 'chromatic dispersion' and which component is used to compensate for it on long hauls?
Answer: Pulse broadening caused by different wavelengths traveling at different speeds, compensated by a dispersion compensating module (DCM)
Chromatic dispersion causes pulse spreading as different wavelengths travel at slightly different velocities; DCMs use specially designed fiber with opposite dispersion to cancel the effect.