OSP OSP Splicing & Termination Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a fiber optic splice closure in an OSP environment?
- To convert optical signals to electrical signals
- To protect fiber splices from moisture, mechanical damage, and environmental exposure (Correct answer)
- To amplify optical signals over long distances
- To connect fiber to copper cable
Correct answer: To protect fiber splices from moisture, mechanical damage, and environmental exposure
A splice closure is a sealed, weatherproof enclosure that houses and protects fiber optic splices from moisture ingress, temperature extremes, and mechanical damage in outside plant environments.
Question 2: Which type of splice closure is designed to be mounted on aerial strand or lashed cable in OSP aerial applications?
- Buried dome closure
- Aerial inline or butt closure (Correct answer)
- Pedestal closure
- Rack-mounted enclosure
Correct answer: Aerial inline or butt closure
Aerial inline or butt closures are specifically designed with attachment hardware for mounting on aerial strand or lashed cable, providing a weatherproof splice environment suspended above ground.
Question 3: When using a ribbon fiber cable, what splicing method is typically employed to increase efficiency compared to splicing individual fibers?
- Mass fusion splicing (Correct answer)
- Single-fiber mechanical splicing
- Connector polishing
- V-groove welding
Correct answer: Mass fusion splicing
Mass fusion splicing aligns and splices an entire 12-fiber ribbon simultaneously in a single arc cycle, dramatically increasing throughput compared to splicing fibers one at a time.
Question 4: In OSP copper cable splicing, what is the standard tool used to terminate twisted-pair wires onto a 66-block or 110-block termination field?
- Crimping tool
- Punch-down tool (impact tool) (Correct answer)
- Wire stripper
- Soldering iron
Correct answer: Punch-down tool (impact tool)
A punch-down tool (impact tool) is used to seat and cut twisted-pair copper wires into the insulation displacement contacts (IDC) of 66-block or 110-block termination fields.
Question 5: What does 'mid-span access' refer to in the context of OSP fiber cable splicing?
- Accessing the center fiber in a multi-fiber cable
- Removing the cable jacket at a mid-route point to splice individual fibers without cutting the through fibers (Correct answer)
- A type of splice closure mounted at mid-pole height
- Splicing fibers in the middle of a splice tray
Correct answer: Removing the cable jacket at a mid-route point to splice individual fibers without cutting the through fibers
Mid-span access involves removing the cable jacket and buffer tube at a point along the route to access specific fibers for splicing to a branch, while leaving the through-fibers intact and uncut.
Question 6: What is the minimum bend radius that should be maintained for a standard OSP single-mode fiber cable during splicing and storage inside a splice closure?
- 10× cable diameter
- 20× cable diameter (long-term) / 15× (short-term installation) (Correct answer)
- 5× cable diameter
- 50× cable diameter
Correct answer: 20× cable diameter (long-term) / 15× (short-term installation)
Industry standards specify a minimum long-term bend radius of 20 times the cable outer diameter and a short-term installation bend radius of 15 times the outer diameter to prevent increased attenuation or fiber breakage.
OSP OSP Splicing & Termination Techniques 2
What is the function of a fiber optic splice closure in an OSP environment?