Optical Fiber Elements and Infrastructure Components

The optical fiber course covers work and passing elements, including connectors, splices, amplifiers, ODFs, and NAPs.

### Optical Fiber Work Elements: Connectors, Splitters, and Distribution Frames
* 🔌 Connectors like **SC, ST, LC, and FC** are key elements in optical fiber installations, allowing for **easy connections and disconnections**.
* 🔄 Splices are used to join two fibers, either mechanically or by fusion, when **connectors are not suitable**.
* 📡 Amplifiers, such as Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), are used to **boost the optical signal** in long-distance transmissions.
* 📶 Transceivers convert electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa, enabling **communication between optical and electrical systems**.
* 🌈 Multiplexers, like Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM), combine different wavelengths in a single fiber for **increased data capacity**.
* 🔊 Splitters divide the optical signal into multiple outputs, commonly in ratios like **1:2, 1:4, or 1:8**.
* 🔧 Optical Distribution Frames (ODFs) are racks that hold fiber trays, connectors, and patch cords, facilitating **cable management and transitions**.
* 📦 Splice boxes, closures, and distribution points are used to **protect and organize fibers** in different installation scenarios.

Hello, dear authorities. Welcome to another video, this time about optical fiber. We will be specifically talking about work elements, passing elements, and work in optical fiber. Remember to subscribe to the channel, activate the notification bell, and share the video, as it helps me the most. Moving on, we will quickly go through a basic course on optical fiber. As we know, we will get to know materials, equipment, and tools for the installation, maintenance, repair, and certification of an optical fiber cable infrastructure. Here we have passing and working elements of optical fiber. We will be talking about ODFs, boxes, closures, sleeves, continuity boxes, rosettes, and some more things. Stay until the end to see it. Continuing here, the first thing we will talk about in terms of passing elements is that we will have connectors, couplers, among other elements. Connectors, as we have seen in other videos, include SC, ST, LC, and FC connectors. We will not dwell on them as we recently published a video specifically about connectors on the channel. Additionally, we have couplers that can be straight or angled for SC or LC connectors. Continuing here, we have splices. We also talked about them in the previous class, which allow us to join two fibers either mechanically or by fusion. The connector avoids the use of splices; the splice creates a union.

Permanently in quotation marks. Because if it's divided, it's no longer permanent, and if it breaks or separates, it's also not permanent. In addition to that, we have another element of the step that we are going to see within our optical fiber, the amplifiers, devices used to increase the optical fiber signal. Normally, we associate them with amplifiers like EFA. Right now, I can't remember what EPA means, I'll look it up in a minute. It's something related to erbium, if I remember correctly. Let's see what the description says here: Erbium-doped fiber amplifier has a rather strange operating system. Okay, moving on, we have the transceivers or transceivers, which are responsible for converting electrical signals to optical or optical-electrical signals. We have the multiplexers, the WDM or wavelength-division multiplexing, which allows us to combine different wavelengths or different optical colors within a single cable to then separate them. That's why we talk about a multiplexer through a prism. This one works with a prism and allows us to precisely use a single thread to transmit multiple wavelengths at the same time through that thread and have multiple communication channels that will be limited by speed. We also saw this in one of the videos where we talked about optical technologies. Now, we have the splitters. We have a pending class coming up specifically on splitters, but let me give you a preview

Weak but all convey the same information is different from a WDM multiplexer because the WDM tries to distribute, although it does a split-type job, it does so by colors trying to preserve the highest amount of power possible. Whereas the splitter makes a division not by colors, keep an eye on that for those studying filter-type technologies are devices that are responsible for eliminating wavelengths from an optical network, in other words, eliminating what I am not interested in. It is widely used when using an exFAT amplifier because I have to first amplify the signal and then clean it up so that no residual signals remain and do not affect the electromagnetic spectrum traveling through the optical fiber. If you do not know what an electromagnetic spectrum is, investigate it or look for it in the first video of this tutorial video. Continuing here, we have power meters, obviously one of the tools that we will be using to work with optical fiber is to measure power, and here I have a piece of information for you: tell me, how should power be measured in mW or in dBm, leave it in the comments. Later on, we have specialized tools and equipment. The cable stripper, the cutter, the fusion splicer, the OTDR which stands for Optical Time Domain Reflectometer. Optical Time Domain Reflectometers. So, that's how it stuck. Okay. OSA, Optical Spectrum Analyzer, this is uncommon, however, it does exist and is used, although normally a chromatic dispersion analyzer is

When I am working with DWDM, we reach a very important point regarding optical fiber transit and work, whether it is inside a house, an office, or a node, we will encounter an ODF (Optical Distribution Frame) or optical frame distribution location. This does not have any meaning that allows me to associate it with anything; however, it is a rack that contains a group of trays that hold a set of elements that allow us to channel the fiber, fuse it, and send it through a cable. Basically, it is the arrival of a cable to a separation into connectors, enabling transitions with connectors. Subsequently to that, well, here we have other images of the different types of optical distribution racks where the ODF is used to facilitate the connection and disconnection of optical cables, as well as to place jumpers or perform optical fiber repairs to enable a quick transition in node from route 1 to route 2 optically. This way, it allows the distribution of optical signals from different points of the network, which is essential for efficient and effective management of optical networks. Yes, in a node, we should always have an ODF that allows us to migrate routes quickly by simply coordinating it on both sides. On the other hand, here we have that ODFs come in different models; it says that they allow us to accommodate hundreds or even thousands of connectors, considering that each tray has 12 connectors. We have four trays in a UDF and in an

A set of twelve trays, 12 by 12, which are around one hundred and something divided by four is about 500 and something fiber optic connections depending on the type of connector. Because if they are compact connectors, we can have even more. As we can see here, the different elements are F, such as the FDF, which is the dressing room, the ODF as such, which are the trays, the patch cords that will allow the interconnection, the splice closures, and accessories. All of this is apart from that; we will talk about them shortly. The connectors are located inside the ODF to connect the pigtails with the patch cords. Additionally, we have pre-connectorized slots, also known as panels. However, we will talk about that in more detail later. The front panel is where we receive the fiber optic, it can come completely straight or diagonally to facilitate the curvature of the fiber, always in one direction. Besides this, the tray holds the patch panel on one side and has on the other side where to place the fiber optic, to place the fixation of the incoming fibers like the outgoing pigtails towards the patch panel. Hugo Jiménez, thank you for greeting us from Chile. It's truly a pleasure to have you here. I'm very happy with the greeting you left us. If you want to get in touch with us for a project you have in mind, welcome. You can contact me by email as

It is posted at the beginning of the video if you cannot contact me through my social networks Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, or Twitter, any of them that appeared at the beginning of the video. Thank you so much, greetings from Mexico. Truly great, thank you for being here. Greetings as well to José Miguel Pérez Acosta, a real greeting. Hey, I love having you here, I really love having you here and commenting. Moving on, we have the back boxes. The back boxes are where we receive the fiber, precisely where we organize it. So, we are talking about having the front panel, the tray where we organize the fiber, and the back box, which we could say is this whole casing that serves as protection as well as securing the fiber. Also, the cable guides that we will see on the sides of the ODF, either on the tray as a handle or a little wing that allows the fiber to rest there to place it as a route and prevent the fiber from bending or coming out of position. Or we can see it inside the rack as a cable support that will allow us to continue. Here, the ODFs can vary in different ways. We have them in different forms, different characteristics, but all meet the same specific points. They will have a box that protects everything, a tray to organize the fibers, connectors to make the transition, and the front panel containing the connectors. In addition to the pixels, we can optionally have

After that, they come with a front door to protect the fibers or trays, and we can have markers that can be either a permanent ink marker or a marker like the ones used on electrical cables, which are label-type markers that are stapled or mounted on top of the fiber to give it an identification code. The ODF is a super important element in optical wired networks because it allows us to save time and distribute the fiber efficiently. Now let's move on to a very important term commonly used in the field, which is the optical box, the splice box, the closure, or the crossure, whether it's a continuity sleeve, a branching sleeve, or a bleeding sleeve, basically, they are all the same, but they vary according to the use we give them. In fact, at least here in Venezuela, comment in the comments, redundantly, if you make the same differentiation. Here in Venezuela, a splice box is any box, and a closure, or a closer, is where the company's optical trunk passes. The closure is not touched unless it's an emergency, and the splice box can be touched because in that case, we might be disconnecting around 50 to 100 customers at most. But if there's an intervention in a closure, in the end, it's still a splice box, just that it carries a trunk. You could be disconnecting around a thousand to two thousand users easily. So, tell me if that's the case in your

Here it says that in the field of electricity, fiber optics, and electronics, the box itself that contains the elements where we store the fibers usually has two, four, five, six, and up to eight inputs. I have seen that for each of them, normally one fiber is inserted. I have seen the bad practice of placing two fibers in one input, but well, sometimes we have to adapt to the system's needs and place a set of what we call here tape fundente, which serves to generate insulation or protection to prevent moisture from entering the box when we place more than one type of fiber at that point. Moving on, we also talk about continuity sleeves, which are still in the same way a sleeve or a box or a closer. The only thing that changes is the function we give them. A continuity sleeve is where we normally connect one fiber to continue to the next fiber because we run out of a 1 km reel, 2 km, 5 km, we need to connect it to the next reel. Basically, these usually have 12 threads, 24 threads, 48 threads, 72 threads, I think 72 threads. So, I have seen it around, but I'm not sure if it's the final number, it's a multiple of each one, 12, 24, 48, 48 times 2, 96 threads, 48 times 2, 96, 94, 96, 

Here is where things get heated because the branching and bleeding ones have a very particular detail. The box is something else, Hugo. In fact, we are going to talk about it now. The branching or bleeding, first, we have to bleed the buffer in order to take out a thread to branch it or send it to the other side. We can do this in a nap box, a closer box, or any type of box where we need to separate a group of threads and send them to the other side. The difference in bleeding is that we normally do not send everything. In other words, we don't cut all 12 threads to send them all in one direction, that would be branching. But in bleeding, we peel the buffer, take the threads that interest us, which can be one, two, three, four, or five threads, but not the entire buffer to be considered bleeding. We split, merge, and send those threads where we are interested. It can be a splitter, another fiber with another group of threads, among other characteristics. This is what we normally call bleeding. And to ensure that the work is less risky when handling threads, because it is normally done with threads or buffers that are in service when we want to bleed one or two threads, there had to be some type of tool for that, hence the existence of a bleeding tool like the one we see here on the screen. The bleeding tool basically... I almost forgot. Thank you, Hugo

Be very careful when bleeding fiber because there is a high risk of cutting the threads if we use the incorrect thickness of the buffer according to the bleeder or if we pull it with little delicacy, which is actually a problem because many cooper jackets are problematic to cut, and when you pull, it doesn't want to cut. And if you press it too hard, you bring the threads with you. So, it's a somewhat complicated game, especially when the buffer is bent. Moving on, now we have the nap, as both Hugo and Miguel are mentioning, the Network Access Point box is the point where the distribution of the optical fiber arrives, where the different cables that will go to the end customers are connected. Not necessarily to the end customers, but in most cases, yes, to the end customers. I say not necessarily because in some cases, there are NAPs with only four outputs that are used as a redistribution point, or rather as a first-level splitter. It's not common, but it happens sometimes. The NAP comes prepared to work with a splitter from one to four, from one to eight, and it is much easier to work with a pre-assembled box than to assemble the splitter inside a closure, inside a fusion or splice box. So normally, it is most common for it to come with 12 threads, 24 threads, 36 threads, or 48 threads, depending on the splitter. Splitters should come in eight, sixteen,

There are Maps that are weatherproof and others that are not weatherproof when they break down here, meaning they are weatherproof because they withstand the problem but do not have moisture insulation because all the lower openings remain allowing the passage of air towards the nap. This can be a problem because ants can enter the nap with that. Some have a protector in the connector that allows you to prevent moisture from passing through, and the connector remains protected to a certain extent from the elements outside. There are others that have all these connectors placed directly here aligned with the connection point. Moving on, the common components of a Nat are connectors, adapters, patch panels, different panels where we will distribute. The nap can be APC, UPC, APC, or PC. Commonly, they have PC interconnection panels because they generate less loss in the interconnection of elements. In addition to that, they will have a fiber organization tray, and in some cases, normally in passive networks like PON networks, they do not carry active devices. But there are hybrid networks like HFC or networks like these copper networks. Exactly, fiber-copper networks but not coaxial fiber, but copper fiber which is still an HFC because it is a hybrid fiber-copper network where they use active elements like switches or routers compatible with POE or compatible with power on the street that go inside the nap to come out in copper, meaning in RJ45. It's not like here in Venezuela, but I've seen it,

In Colombia, especially in Colombia, I have heard a lot about HFC, and I believe I have also heard a lot about it in Peru. If you have heard about it in the comments, we can have information here about this type of optical input and RJ45 or coaxial output. The NAP is one of the key elements for transmitting optical fiber. Following this video, the next video that we will be publishing, probably next week if I can publish it this week, great, I will publish it. We will be talking about the hardware here; we discuss everything that involves fiber. Now we will provide everything that supports the fiber. This will be in the next class. Moving on, the final element that is in the customer's home is the socket. It can be a one-to-one socket, a two-output socket, or even an apartment-type socket, which is more common. It's not a splitter; it's more like an ODF where all the threads arrive. It can also be more like a NAP where a main thread arrives, passes through a splitter, and then all the threads come out for the distribution of the department, apartment, or vertical residential complex. It is very common in Spain, where there are specific regulations that establish the type of materials and how you should organize that. The Spanish standard for working with optical fiber is one of the most complicated, and in fact, we could use the model; however, I don't have it on hand

It saves you an incredible amount of headaches because the rosette allows for the substitution of connectors or patch cords in a simpler way and helps to safeguard the patch cord in case the fiber gets a sudden pull. In other words, the rosette serves as an intermediate point to prevent the fiber from being damaged too much, and it is actually a constant reminder to tell the customer not to touch this because it basically tells them not to touch anything behind the rosette and also nothing in front of it. The only thing you can touch is the network cable that is connected. Ready. Goodbye problems. Continuing here, another way to view the rosette is that typically the back of the rosette is flush-mountable, it is placed glued, adhered, or drilled into the wall, especially for customers who do not like their walls being drilled. Often, some kind of double-sided tape or strong silicone is used, not so strong that it is easy to remove with a spatula. It is indicated that this could damage the wall paint, so it should be on a surface that is strong enough not to come off after two or three months. On the other hand, here we can see the interior of a rosette. The cables enter, are fixed, tied up, some ties are missing here and there. Normally, we work here in Venezuela with a turn and a half of work. We come in, make a turn, and then we go to the connector

That increases the amount of loss in that link by about half of B. Wow, in the middle of seeing the recipe, I prefer to have half a dB of additional loss in the connector than to have a broken connector, a loose connector, and having to send people back there because they gave a little pull to the cable when we make that turn, this generates friction and traction, and the probability of damaging this connector, which is not always a patch and not always as nice as the one seen here, but many times it's a quick field connector that we assemble ourselves. If you give it a little pull back, it damages the connector. To avoid that, you sacrifice half a dB of power, but you make sure that for a long time that client will not bother you when you leave the fibers installed, and there is less probability that the connectors will be damaged. And with that, we reach the last slide we have here. Thank you, Hugo, for telling us that there are different companies in Chile that commercialize a lot of HFC, either in copper or coaxial, using fiber as the first link and then distributing in copper. This is often done to prevent the client from damaging the infrastructure because it is much more costly to repair fiber than to repair copper. The optical fiber connector has a cost, at least here in Venezuela, where we can get 12 connectors for approximately 10 dollars, 12 quick field connectors for around 10 dollars.

Each connector costs approximately one dollar, while copper connectors can be obtained for about 0.1 dollars, which is 10 times less. Additionally, the copper connector is more robust, much less likely to be damaged. Here in Mexico, we are starting to remove the prescriptions because they move a lot. The power of the services depends. In Mexico, they are already using, that is, exposing, 10-gigabit networks with clients. If you need a lot of power, it would be better to place or redistribute to a closer optical node to the populations and redistribute the fibers to have a good power budget and continue to have the prescription as an intermediate point. The truth is that the socket saves you a lot of post-sales headaches. On the other hand, here in the Dominican Republic, okay Joan, greetings. Thanks for coming from the Dominican Republic. Well, the DR is always related to the Dominican Republic, especially my friends in Puerto Rico. Remember that I also work for a company in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, it's great because the quality is really high. The people there have treated me well, and in the Dominican Republic, I have interacted with some people there with whom I have had to do some work, and the people in the Dominican Republic are really great. Well, always DR, IPD, DR, and PR, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Okay, there were many problems with the connectors moving with the clients. Okay, okay.

It's like a wiki where we specifically tell customers, This is your rosette, do not touch it. And we have web posts on our website in that wiki section where we explain to the customer what the rosette is that you shouldn't touch, from the recipe that you should touch. Because remember, the better you inform your customer, it's not like suddenly they will start a fiber optic company and then steal your customers. The more you share the information, the less likely your customers will bother you because if it's not all 10, at least out of the 10 that could have bothered you, maybe seven you save by sharing some wiki or some place where they can get more information. You generate growth, you generate knowledge when you provide information directly without a recipe. Well, the customer will be more afraid because it's fiber, but it's much more likely that if they touch the fibers, everything will be damaged, and maybe even your reservation could be damaged. That's why we particularly always recommend putting a rosette, and the Spanish standard specifies using a rosette because the apartment should not be without a rosette. I'm not exactly sure if it has to do with fire safety or personal protection issues. I'm not exactly sure why they establish that, but truly, the Spanish standard is quite strict. We have it clear here. Perfect. Dominican Republic present. Chile, look, I have it planned. I plan to travel to

By the end of next year, everything depends on how things have progressed here, really. Remember that here in Venezuela, things, well, we are doing well. I mean, I feel that I am doing well. It's not so simple to leave recently. Well, we traveled to Colombia. I think it's super great, really. Super happy, super grateful for all of your attendance. Remember to share the video, which is one of the things that helps us the most. If you haven't subscribed to the channel, subscribe. If you haven't watched the other videos, remember that at the end of each one of the videos, right now not because, well, we are live, but at the end of each one of the videos, the link to the playlist of the 2023 course appears. Also, we will be releasing this same course in a paid version, in quotation marks, paid, because I am coming up with something quite interesting to keep it free so that our fans and followers of the channel can access it almost for free in order to start issuing a participation certificate and to have some knowledge tests and validate that they are indeed learning about the job. We are planning this for when we finish the 2023 course on YouTube. We will be publishing the same course in its paid version with all the support, all the guides, all the information for those who want to access it. Stay informed also through the channel, and well, really, super, super

Curso Fibra Óptica 2023: E6 Elementos de paso y trabajo en fibra óptica

Vladimir Cusatti

An Overview of Optical Fiber Work Elements

Optical fiber work involves installation, maintenance, repair, and certification of cable infrastructure using passing elements like connectors, couplers, and splices.

It also includes working elements such as amplifiers, transceivers, multiplexers, splitters, and power meters.

Specialized tools and equipment like cable strippers, cutters, fusion splicers, and OTDRs are essential for working with optical fiber.

Power measurement can be done in mW or dBm when working with optical fiber.

The Role of Optical Distribution Frames (ODF) in Fiber Optic Networks

ODFs are crucial for channeling, fusing, and transmitting fiber optic cables, allowing quick transitions between routes.

They come in different models, accommodating hundreds to thousands of connectors for efficient management of optical signals.

ODFs also include various elements such as patch cords, splice closures, and accessories, playing a vital role in interconnecting fiber optics.

The Role of ODFs in Optical Wired Networks

ODFs, or Optical Distribution Frames, play a crucial role in organizing and protecting fibers in optical wired networks.

They consist of a protective box, a tray for fiber organization, connectors, and a front panel.

ODFs also may include cable guides, front doors for protection, and markers for fiber identification.

The terms optical box, splice box, closure, and crossure refer to the same equipment with variations in use, and their role may differ based on the specific network requirements.

In some regions, such as Venezuela, there is a distinction between a splice box and a closure based on the number of users affected during interventions.

Fiber optic boxes can have two to eight inputs, with a common practice of inserting one fiber per input, but sometimes needing to use tape fundente for insulation when placing multiple fibers in one input.

Continuity sleeves are used to connect fibers when transitioning to a new reel, with varying numbers of threads like 12, 24, 48, and 72.

Branching involves separating and sending a group of threads to another side, while bleeding includes peeling the buffer to select and send specific threads, requiring a bleeding tool for less risky handling.

Tips for Handling Optical Fiber and Network Access Points

Be cautious when handling fiber to avoid cutting the threads or pulling too hard, especially with problematic copper jackets.

The Network Access Point (NAP) serves as the distribution center for optical fiber, usually connecting to end customers and equipped to work with splitters of varying thread counts.

NAPs can be weatherproof to withstand the elements and commonly contain connectors, adapters, and fiber organization trays for distributing the network.

The Role of NAP and Rosette in Fiber Optic Transmission

HFC is commonly used in Colombia and Peru for optical input and RJ45 or coaxial output.

The NAP is a crucial element in fiber optic transmission, while the rosette serves as an intermediate point to protect the fiber from damage and remind customers not to touch it.

In Spain, there are specific regulations for working with optical fiber, and the rosette is typically flush-mountable using tape or silicone to avoid wall damage.

The Importance of Sacrificing Power for Connector Protection

Sacrificing half a dB of power in the connector can prevent damage and the need for repairs.

Using fiber as the first link in Chilean companies helps prevent infrastructure damage, despite the higher cost of fiber repair.

Copper connectors are more affordable and robust than optical fiber connectors, making them preferable in some regions.

The Importance of Informing Customers about Rosettes

Informing customers about rosettes is crucial to prevent damage and ensure safety, as per the strict Spanish standard.

Sharing information can help generate growth and knowledge while reducing customer inquiries.

The company plans to release a paid version of the 2023 course with additional support and guidance, while still keeping it accessible to fans and followers.