Certifications are increasingly important in many industries. These days, it's often not enough to have a degree in a particular discipline or industry. A technician may also need to have one or more certifications. Often, certifications are the means by which an employer or manager can demonstrate that a team of technicians is knowledgeable and up to date. A certification shows that your employees have developed competencies in new, emerging technologies or certain skills they need to do a job effectively.

In the fiber optics field, as in any tech industry, things change. Fiber optics certifications are typically at progressive levels, showing competency in technical knowledge and hands-on skills. The fiber optics technicians you hire or that you invest in will need to be tested on their knowledge and skills so that you, as well as your customers, know that your team's abilities are sufficient to support evolving standards and practices.

Here are some of the certifications your team might pursue.

Certified Fiber Optics Installer

The FOI certification validates that the technician is capable of installing and troubleshooting fiber optic cable networks accurately. The technician's abilities in working with different fibers, connectors, and splices that may be involved with common problems will be tested. Once the technician completes a course in this discipline, the individual will be given an examination to determine competency. Some of the topics fiber optics installers are expected to know for a typical FOI certification exam include these:

• History of fiber optics and broadband access.
• Principles of fiber optic transmission (part of a fiber-optic link, operation of a fiber-optic transmitter, operation of a fiber-optic receiver)
• Basic principles of light
• Optical fiber construction and theory

Certified Fiber Optics Technician (FOT)

A certification for troubleshooting fiber optics cables, the FOT ensures that the technician's knowledge of working with a combination of fibers, connectors, and splices in regards to commonly occurring problems is up to date. A FOT should have full knowledge of the characteristics of optical fiber, plus and splice performance.

The FOT should be able to perform connector endface evaluation, as well as locate faults in fiber optic cable. The FOT should also be able to evaluate optic fiber performance, mated connector pair performance, or splice performance.

Certified Fiber Optics Designer (FOD)

Certification as an FOD shows the individual has in-depth knowledge of optical local area networks, and the ability to design a successful fiber optic system from network configurations and protocols, optical cabling, determination of fiber count, hardware selection, termination/splicing methods, and other criteria, in a LAN environment. Certification in this field should enable the FOD to enter the telecommunications-cabling field with minimal training in products or systems design.

Some of the topics this certification may cover:

• Theory and principles of fiber optics, including basic structure of fiber; terms (cladding, coating, core); principles of operation as light travels in the fiber; attenuation; system parameters that affect transmission system; and properties of electromagnetic signals.
• Optical sources, including knowledge of operational wavelengths for communication systems; difference between an LED and laser re: emission; and different modulation techniques used with optics.
• Fiber types
• Cable selection in network design
• National Electrical Code
• Fiber optic termination
• Fiber optic splicing
• Hardware
• Ethernet
• Cross connect
• Internet working
• Cable designs
• Voice networks
• Security video

There are many more topics associated with the FOD certification, but the above gives an idea of how extensive the coursework and examination can be.

Data Cabling Installer Certification

The DCIC validates that the recipient has learned how to install and troubleshoot voice and data outlets at workstations. It also affirms the certified individual has skills to cable pathways and spaces; understands different types of cabling; and knows how to work with contractors and how to evaluate their work.

The certified individual should have mastered concepts of copper cabling installation and service, as well as safety regulations pertaining to installing communications cabling (including protective gear and safety issues, and emergency response information).

Other competencies the certified DCI should have obtained:

• Knowledge of the relationships between voltage, current, resistance, and power
• Components called resisters, and non-component types of resistance in cabling technology
• Understanding of impedance, and ability compare it with resistance
• Cable performance characteristics
• Transmission media for networking, communications
• Telecommunications and cabling system structure
• Local area network (LAN) interconnection and internetworking
• Work area telecommunications outlet, connectors
• Cabling system design
• Connector installation
• Cabling troubleshooting

Going for Certifications in Fiber Optics

Investing in your technicians' certifications in fiber optics can help you develop a more competent, skilled, and knowledgeable team. So why not connect with an advisor at Infotec Training today, and ask about the various fiber optics certifications available?