Fiber Maintenance & Testing Standard

#BETTERTOGETHER

Working across sectors at ENTRUST is essential for fostering innovation,
efficiency, and overall success. When our different departments collaborate
and share knowledge, they bring diverse perspectives and skill sets to the
table. This cross-functional approach enables us to tackle complex
challenges from various angles, leading to more comprehensive and
well-rounded solutions. Ultimately, this collaborative approach empowers us
to remain agile and cutting-edge for our customers. We are #BetterTogether..

THE PROJECT

One project in which we have worked crosssector is our Fiber Maintenance and
Testing Standard project for a client’s renewable division. This project is
a collaboration between our two newest sectors, EN Renewables and EN
Communications. This project aims to establish a comprehensive Fiber
Maintenance and Testing Standard for a client’s fiber optic system, with
emphasis on the significance of clean fiber connectors to ensure optimal
performance.

The standard outlines dry and wet cleaning methods with specific testing
requirements, as well as the commissioning and acceptance testing of fiber
optic cables. It emphasizes the baseline Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
(OTDR) measurements, including span loss, splice loss, and
connector-to-connector loss. In addition, it covers optical return loss
(ORL) and documentation of splice loss measurements with standardized forms.

Preventative maintenance is addressed to enhance system reliability and
longevity of the fiber cables for the client. Understanding OTDR
plots/traces for identifying anomalies is explained. ENTRUST provided a
detailed maintenance schedule as well as forms for recording and tracking
maintenance activities.

The standard guideline includes testing fiber strands before deployment and
distinguishing coherent and non-coherent optical signals. Client-specific
fiber optic cable standards, the need for chromatic dispersion (CD), and the
necessity of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) testing are explained.
Testing requirements are categorized into “basic” and “expanded” for fiber
characterizations, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.

By following the ENTRUST standard, the client will ensure reliable and
efficient fiber optic systems in diverse applications, namely for renewable
energy. This concise guideline serves as a crucial resource, promoting best
practices for seamless network operation.

The collaborative efforts across sectors at ENTRUST are the bedrock of
innovation, efficiency, and overarching client success. By harnessing the
diverse perspectives and skill sets from our various departments, we address
intricate challenges from multiple vantage points, resulting in
comprehensive and well-rounded solutions. We are #BetterTogether and serving
our customers with unparalleled one-stop-shop approaches.