Fiber Optic Glossary 837 Industry Drive • Tukwila, WA 98188 (206) 575-0404 • 1 (800) 451-7128
[email protected] www.lightbrigade.com © 2017 The Light Brigade, Inc. Fiber Optic Glossary Glossary of Terms µm Aerial cables A micron; a millionth of a meter. Common unit of Cables that are designed to handle environmental concerns measurement of optical fibers. such as wind and ice loading, pollution, UV radiation, thermal cycling, stress, and aging in aerial placements. Abrasion resistance There are several variations of aerial cables including A cable’s ability to resist surface wear. OPGW and ADSS. Absorption Caused by impurities introduced during the manufacturing Air blown fiber (ABF) process, absorption creates loss in a fiber by turning light An installation technique developed by British Telecom energy into heat. The amount of absorption is determined where micro ducts or “pipe cables” are installed, and then by the wavelength and depends upon the composition of optical fibers or fiber bundles are blown into the cable with the glass or plastic. Absorption and scattering are the two spans reaching 10,000 feet. causes of intrinsic attenuation in an optical fiber. Air handling plenum Acceptance angle A space within a building designed for the movement of See Critical angle. environmental air, e.g., a space above a suspended ceiling or below an access floor. Acceptance test A test to confirm that an optical cable or link meets Air polish established performance specifications. The first polish of a ferrule or termini after the fiber has been cleaved. The lapping film is passed over the connector Active device endface in the air to polish the fiber stub just above the An active device is a device that requires electrical power.