Certified Optical Fibre Installer (COFI) for outside plant
A unique training course from Optical Technology Training.
Purpose
This course is designed specifically for installation and maintenance staff working on outside plant telecom networks.
It provides a broad knowledge of the components and equipment, and highlights good working practices in order to inspire a professional approach to the job role. Practical sessions build the skills required to install, joint, terminate and test external fibre optic cabling links from end to end locations.
The syllabus shown here is designed for staff involved with core networks, however it is focussed on fibre specifics and does not contain practical sessions on cable placement. Information on different placement methods & techniques is available.
Versions of this certification are also available to cover Enterprise networks and Harsh environments. The intention is to provide the ‘very best of class’ installation training for corporate customers that require professional staff trained up to meet the detailed and often challenging needs of their sector.
Features
- Hands-on practical sessions using a range of equipment
- Comprehensive, easy to read, course manual as hyperlinked .pdf
- Additional online resources, including review questions to prepare for the assessment
- Pass the assessment to gain Certified Optical Fibre installer (COFI) status
Key outcomes
- Explain how singlemode optical fibres work and the issues that can affect performance
- Recognise telecoms link components and explain why different types are required for different environments
- Handle fibre optic cable and components correctly to ensure optimum performance
- Work safely on fibre optic external plant networks
- Prepare fibre optic cabling for splicing within splice closures and ODFs
- Fusion splice and manage fibres in a splice closure
- Joint a customer drop cable into a main network cable
- Terminate fibre optic cables by splicing on pre-terminated pigtails or splice on connectors in an ODF
- Manage cabling in an ODF
- Carry out continuity and insertion loss testing
- Use an OTDR correctly for testing & troubleshooting of fibre optic links
- Make customer connections & patch circuits
- Methodically troubleshoot cabling links
Optical fibre is very small so good eyesight (or appropriate glasses) and steady hand skills are required for this course.
Becoming a COFI
- Types of fibre networks
- Key skills and tasks
COMMS and Light
COMMS & Fibre Optics
- Basic comms systems
- Terminology
Light & Wavelengths
- EMS
- Wavelengths/frequencies
- Speed of light
Light in Optical Fibres
- How fibres work
- Multimode fibre
- Singlemode fibre
- Operational performance
Components
Fibre Types for COMMS Networks
- Fibre types for datacomms
- Fibre types for telecoms
Fibre Optic Cables
- External and internal cable performance issues
- Construction issues
- Typical constructions for different environments
Connectors
- Connector elements
- Colour coding
- Connector styles
Telecoms System Components
- Splice or joint closures
- Termination location components
- Optical distribution frames
Safety Issues
Safety With Fibre Optic Technology
- Safe working with fibre
- Hazardous substances
- Fibre offcuts
- Optical power
- Laser safety issues
- Good practices checklist
- External site safety
Installation Issues
Cable Placement & Management
- Issues when handling fibre optic cable
- Cable laying & pulling background overview
- Cable management techniques
Blown Fibre Overview
- Components & systems
- Equipment
- Design & installation issues
Inspecting & Cleaning Connectors
- Why do we inspect & clean connectors?
- Inspection standards
- Inspection equipment
- Cleaning equipment
- Connector care
Installing Patchcords
- Selection
- Connection
- Routing
Splicing & Jointing
Joining Fibres
- Definitions
- Causes of loss
- Performance standards
Cable Preparation
- Overview and tooling
- Fibre coatings
- Cleaning techniques
- Sample procedure
Cleaving Fibres
- Fibre cleaving
- Potential issues
Fusion Splicing
- Procedure
- Splicing parameters
- Potential issues
- Splicer maintenance
Mechanical Splicing
- Example procedure
- Types of mechanical splice
Jointing External Cables
- Working outdoors
- Workspace planning
- Preparation
- Splicing the fibres
- Completing the job
Terminating External Cables
- Cable termination into an ODF
Routine Testing
Continuity Testing
- Continuity checking
Testing Telecom Links
- Optical power & loss budgets
- Equipment
- Insertion loss measurements
- Reporting
OTDR Testing
OTDR Introduction
- What is OTDR testing?
- What can it do for us?
- How does it work?
OTDR Capabilities
- Distance measurements
- Fibre loss measurements
- Bending losses
- Splice loss measurement
- Connector losses
- Link return loss (ORL)
OTDR Limitations
- Dynamic range
- Dead zone
- Resolution
Test Configurations
- Cable on a drum
- Installed cable before termination
- Connectorised systems
Using the OTDR
- Step by step guide
- Manipulating the trace
- Measurement parameters
OTDR Issues
- Poor launch conditions
- Interfacing with bare fibres
- Ghosts
- Fibre mismatches
Troubleshooting Telecoms Networks
- The challenges
- Diagnostics & other information
- The cabling or the equipment
- Potential cabling faults
Ensuring a Quality Installation
- Quality assurance
- Installation procedure
Assessment
Assessment
- Theory assessment
- Practical installation assignment
- Testing installation
- Completing documentation
Butler Technologies was founded in 1997 in Dublin, to provide testing and monitoring solutions for various industries, and has grown into a global technical solutions company, with a multi skilled team specialising in engineering, sourcing and end to end supply chain. Butler’s goal is to provide customers in the Telecoms and Electronic sectors with a full range of products, services and technical solutions that will enable them to operate more efficiently.
Recognising that great products benefit from great professionals to put them to best use, Butler also supports their customers by providing industry-leading Technical training. Having had an ongoing relationship with OTT for decades as a reseller in Ireland, Butler are now signed up as a full partner able to deliver the Certified Optical Fibre Installer (COFI), Certified Fibre Characterisation Engineer (CFCE), Certified Optical Network Associate (CONA) and Certified Optical Network Engineer (CONE) courses in Ireland and mainland Europe.
Butler are also acting as a reseller for OTT partners in the USA and providing management services to corporate clients to roll out OTT courses in the UK, Ireland, USA, APAC and other regions.
Get in Touch: IRELAND
Unit G14, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 X8R9, Ireland
