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Going Together: Fiber optic techs and ECs

By Jim Hayes | Jul 15, 2024
Going Together: Fiber optic techs and ECs

Recently, I’ve been thinking about how much crossover there is between telecom techs and electrical workers.

Last year, I spent many hours helping analysts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics create a new job category—telecommunications technician—that included techs working in fiber optics and wireless communications. Prior to this change, fiber optic techs were a subcategory of electrical workers, where they had been since the beginning of fiber optics.

The biggest reason for the change was the need for better statistics on the workforce. With the government programs funding broadband, defining telecom workers’ jobs and the size of the workforce was important at the state level where there was concern over whether there were enough workers to build the networks. The new category also became a useful tool in convincing educators to expand programs in technical colleges and high schools.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about how much crossover there is between telecom techs and electrical workers.

Fiber and wireless communications networks depend on power, of course. Wherever you have communications equipment, you must have high-quality, reliable power with backup to ensure 100% uptime. Data centers need plenty of power for both the communications electronics and the air conditioning that removes the heat generated by high-speed computers and communications gear.

Hot markets

While the office market is soft, premises networks in healthcare, hospitality and education are still doing well, and they require cabling for communications, security and building management systems. And of course, electrical and grounding systems are needed to support the communications equipment. Everyone wants wireless, and wireless access points (Wi-Fi) and cellular distributed antenna systems need power and network links. Using communications copper cables for power over ethernet is an option, but the power consumption of some of these devices is already reaching limits and has high power losses, so we need the electrical worker to help choose and install the proper systems.

Cellular systems

Cellular systems are expanding in cities with small cells being installed every few blocks. Like the big traditional cell towers, each location needs fiber and power cables to connect into the networks. Cables are installed in cities for cellular networks and intelligent highway systems, smart traffic lights, cameras at intersections and often extra fibers to support other systems.

There is also an increase in building factories as the United States works to bring back critical industries, and modern factories require power and communications.

ET&D

Perhaps the greatest connection between electrical and fiber techs is in electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems. I read recently about a region near Washington, D.C., that was no longer approving permits for new data centers because the power grid could not support them. Calls to convert cars to EVs or heating to electrical are increasing demand for power, which makes raising electrical capacity and improving efficiency critical.

Alternative energy

We’re seeing plenty of growth in alternative energy, but often in isolated areas. The technology needs fiber for communications and wire to connect to the grid. Getting the power to where it’s consumed requires transmission and distribution systems, which also carry power and communications. Practically every transmission line built now includes optical power ground wire to provide fiber optics for communications needed for grid management. Utilities are beginning to deal with aging fiber and the need to run new fiber along current transmission routes. Upgrades without disrupting the current systems can be complicated.

Disaster response

Last, but not least, I’ve had conversations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about disaster recovery. While it may seem to most of us that the primary concern for disaster recovery is getting food, water and medicine to areas that need it, FEMA puts priority on power and communications. Power and communications are crucial to know where relief supplies are needed and how to get them there. Without them, disaster relief efforts are much more complicated. 

The Fiber Optic Association has been working with JATCs and the Electrical Training Alliance for years to provide fiber optic curriculum for their programs because fiber and electrical techs work hand in hand.

stock.adobe.com / somrerk

About The Author

HAYES is a VDV writer and educator and the president of the Fiber Optic Association. Find him at www.JimHayes.com.

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