Testing and Certification Flashcards
7 cards from real DCI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Testing and Certification flashcards as text
What does a wire map test verify in a copper cable installation?
Answer: Correct pin-to-pin continuity and absence of miswires
A wire map test confirms that each conductor is connected to the correct pin at both ends and identifies opens, shorts, reversals, and split pairs.
Which parameter measures the ratio of signal power at a far-end receiver compared to the transmitted signal, indicating cable loss?
Answer: Insertion Loss
Insertion Loss (formerly called attenuation) measures the reduction in signal strength as it travels along the cable from transmitter to receiver.
A tester reports a 'split pair' fault. What condition does this describe?
Answer: Two conductors from different pairs are wired together at both ends
A split pair occurs when conductors from two different pairs are substituted, creating correct continuity but causing excessive crosstalk due to unpaired conductors.
What is the purpose of performing a Return Loss (RL) test on a copper link?
Answer: To detect impedance mismatches that cause signal reflections
Return Loss measures the amount of signal reflected back toward the source due to impedance discontinuities in the cabling.
According to ANSI/TIA-568 standards, what is the maximum permanent link length for Category 6A horizontal cabling?
Answer: 90 meters
The permanent link (from the telecommunications room to the work area outlet, excluding patch cords) is limited to 90 meters for all twisted-pair categories under TIA-568.
What does PS-NEXT stand for in cable certification testing?
Answer: Power Sum Near-End Crosstalk
PS-NEXT (Power Sum Near-End Crosstalk) measures the combined crosstalk effect from all disturbing pairs simultaneously on a single victim pair.
When testing fiber optic cable with an OTDR, what does a 'ghost' or 'echo' event indicate?
Answer: A reflective event appearing beyond the actual end of the fiber due to multiple reflections
A ghost event is a false reflection that appears beyond the fiber end caused by a high-reflectance event earlier in the trace bouncing multiple times.