The new technologies in fiber optic cables and cable plant installation are the micros: microcables, microducts and microtrenching. These can make cable plant installation easier, faster and cheaper. How well do you know the micros?
Created by: Jim Hayes
1. New types of fiber optic cables are called microcables because they are small. A 144-fiber microcable has a diameter of ______.
A. Around an inch
B. About the size of a pencil
C. Just bigger than your thumb
D. No larger than a lamp cord
2. The two design changes that made smaller cables possible are ______.
A. Thinner cable jackets
B. Removing strength members
C. Smaller diameter glass fibers
D. Smaller coatings on bend-insensitive fibers
3. A microduct for a 144-fiber microcable is about ______ in diameter.
A. ¼ inch (6 mm)
B. ½ inch (12 mm)
C. 1 inch (25 mm)
D. 2 inches (50 mm)
4. Microcables are designed to be installed in microducts by blowing the cable into the duct, not pulling it.
A. True
B. False
5. Blowing cables into microducts involves ______.
A. Using high-pressure air to blow the cable down the duct
B. Floating the cable on a high-speed air flow and pushing the cable down the duct
C. Using compressed air to expand the duct to ease pulling the cable
D. Special cables with rough surfaces such as reptile scales
6. Blown cables can be installed into ducts as long as ______.
A. 100 m (328 feet)
B. 500 m (1,640 feet)
C. 1—2 km (about 1 mile)
D. 10 km (about 5-6 miles)
7. Microducts can be installed by ______.
A. Pulling into conventional ducts, perhaps even those with cables already in them
B. Trenching and burial
C. Directional boring
D. Microtrenching
E. All of the above
8. Microtrenching is done by ______.
A. Sawing a narrow groove in a roadway or sidewalk
B. Making a very shallow cut in the road surface
C. Using high-pressure water to open a hole under the surface
D. Boring with a small bit
9. Microtrenching grooves are generally about 1 in. wide and ______ deep.
A. 2—3 cm (about 1 inch)
B. 10—15 cm (4—6 inches)
C. 20—30 cm (8—12 inches)
D. 1 m (about 3 feet)
10. Microtrenching is only used in urban areas and not considered possible in rural areas.
