Title of Exam: CFOT Certified Fiber Optic Technician Exam
Who is the vendor for this exam?
ETA
When completing this exam you would have earned credit towards: Certified Fiber Optic Technician also known as CFOT.
ETA CFOT Exam Description
The Certified Fiber Optic Technician exam is required to achieve the ETA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) certification.
What are the fields covered by this examination?
The ETA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) examination covers a number of broad areas which are discussed in detail below:
Exam area 1. Principles of Fiber Optic Transmission
Describe the basic parts of a fiber optic link
Describe the basic operation of a transmitter
Describe the basic operation of a receiver
Explain Amplitude Modulation
Compare Digital data transmission with analog
Graphically explain how Analog to Digital Conversion (A/D) is accomplished
Graphically explain how Digital to Analog Conversion (D/A) circuitry works
Explain the difference between Pulse Coded Modulation and Amplitude modulation
List the benefits of Multiplexing signals
Explain the purpose of Decibels (dBs) and convert voltage and power levels to and from decibel equivalents
Explain how Optical Power is measured (dBm), express optical power levels in dbs and compare power gains and losses
Exam area 2. Basic Principles of Light
Describe the Electromagnetic Spectrum and locate light frequencies within the spectrum in relation to communications frequencies
Convert various wavelengths to corresponding frequencies
Explain the theories of light particles and light waves
Describe how the Index of Refraction is calculated
Define Fresnel Reflection Loss
Explain the effects of Refraction and Snell's Law
Calculate the Index of Refraction in two different mediums
Exam area 3. Optical Fiber Construction and Theory
Name the materials out of which fiber optic cable core is manufactured
Describe the purpose of Cladding and how it is applied to the core of fiber optics cables
Name the materials from which the FO Coating is manufactured
Explain why Multimode fiber optics cable may be selected over singlemode
Describe Singlemode fiber optics cable and how it differs from multimode
List common classifications for fiber optics cable
Describe Refractive Index Profiles and their purpose
Describe the basics of Optical Fiber manufacturing
Exam area 4. Optical Fiber Characteristics
Explain Modal Dispersion and its importance to fiber optics
Define Material Dispersion
List Bandwidth limitations for common communications cable types
Measure the Attenuation Loss in fiber optics cables
Demonstrate the effects of Microbending fiber cables
Define Macrobend and explain its importance in fiber cabling
Explain how the Numerical Aperture is arrived at in fiber connectors
Identify the 'Cone of Acceptance' as used in fiber cabling
Compare the Tensile Strength of fiber and other communications cables
Explain how to calculate Bend Radius limitations
Exam area 5. Advantages of Fiber Over Copper
List Bandwidth Limitations of various copper cables and fiber cables
Describe Attenuation in copper and fiber cables
Explain why Electromagnetic Immunity is superior in fiber cabling
List Weight differences for telephone, coaxial and fiber cables
Make a comparison between the size of fiber cable with copper types
Explain why fiber cables present less risks of Safety concerns than copper cabling
Compare Security features of fiber cabling with electromagnetic cables
Exam area 6. Fiber Optic Cables
Draw a cross section of a Fiber Optic Cable and explain the purposes of each segment
Explain why and where Loose Tube Cable is used
Describe Tight Buffered Fiber
Identify the Strength Member in a fiber cable
Specify the Cable Jacket Material used in common types of fiber cables
Define Duty Specification
Explain the differences between Simplex Cordage and duplex cordage
List locations where Duplex Cordage is preferred over Simplex
Define Distribution cable
Explain how and where Breakout cable is used
List reasons for utilizing Armored fiber cables
Explain what a Messenger cable is and how it is used
Describe Ribbon Cable
Explain what Hybrid cables are and where they are ordinarily used
Define Composite signals
Explain where the TIA/EIA-598 Color Code is used and how the colors are used to identify individual cables
Describe Cable Markings and how they are used
Define Tensile Strength of a fiber cable and explain the reasons an installer would need to know the strength of various cables
Describe the Dynamic Load of a fiber cable
Define Static Load as it refers to fiber cabling
Demonstrate the detrimental effects of exceeding minimum the Dynamic Bend Radius of a fiber cable
Define Static Bend Radius
Exam area 7. Sources
Explain the Safety Classifications for light sources used in fiber communications
Describe the effects of Laser exposure to the human body
Explain the differences between Light-emitting Diodes and laser optics
List the common Wavelengths used in fiber communications and the advantages and disadvantages of each
Measure the Output Power of a light generator
Define Spectral Width of the output of a light generator
Compare the Speed of Operation of one light source with another
Compare Ease of Operation of the types of light sources commonly used in fiber signal generation
Present historical data and future estimates for the Lifetime of fiber cables and fiber light generators
Compare the Source Characteristics of LEDs and Lasers
Exam area 8. Detectors
Describe the optical and electrical theory of operation of Photodiode
Compare Common Detector designs
Explain the use for PIN Photodiodes and theory of operation
Describe the action of an Avalanche Photodiode (APD)
Locate the Performance Characteristic – Responsivity specifications for various optical detectors
Explain Bit Error Rate (BER) and how it is utilized in fiber optics communications equipment
Exam area 9. Connectors
Identify TIA/EIA 568-A Standard Connector Types
List Connector Requirements for various types
Describe Ferrule Materials used with fiber optics connectors
Explain Intrinsic Factors applicable to fiber connectors
Explain Extrinsic Factors
Measure Interconnection Losses using common measuring equipment
Measure Return Reflections in a completed cable
Define PC Finish
Explain APC Finish
Describe how and where Pigtails are used in fiber cabling
Demonstrate the proper use of Anaerobic Epoxy
Explain how and where UV Epoxy is used
Demonstrate the use of 2-Part Epoxy
Describe Pre-Load Epoxy
Explain why and where Epoxyless Connectors are best used
Demonstrate proper Fiber Preparation techniques
Properly assemble and connect common types of connectors
List steps taken to properly perform a Visual Inspection of a cable
List ways to properly care for Fiber Optic Connectors
Explain and demonstrate TIA/EIA 568-A Performance Testing
Exam area 10. Passive Components
Explain the uses and benefits as well as disadvantages of using fiber optics cable couplers
Describe where a Tee Coupler is used
Describe where a Star Coupler is used
Explain the operation of a Reflective Star Coupler
Define Transmissive Star Coupler
Explain modulation and how Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is used in fiber cable signal distribution systems
Explain the difference between Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) and WDM
Exam area 11. Types of Splicing
Mechanical Splicing
Fusion Splicing
Exam area 12. Cable Installation and Hardware
Explain Dynamic Tensile Loading
Explain Static Tensile Loading
Compare the Dynamic Bend Radius minimums for common fiber cables
Describe the effects of exceeding Static Bend Radius minimums
Demonstrate proper use of Pulling Tape
Define Pulling Grip
Explain where Conduit should be Installed to enclose fiber cables
Describe the requirements for Tray and Duct Installation of fiber cabling
Explain the National Electric Code (Article 770) rules
Exam area 13. Fiber Optic Link
List the consideration for Basic fiber optics System Design
Prepare a Basic Optical Link Power Budget
Exam area 14. Optical Fiber Measurement and Testing
Explain fiber optics cable Measurement Standards
Demonstrate the proper use of Optical Loss Test Sets
List common Fiber Optic Sources (FOS)
Demonstrate proper and safe use of the Fiber Optic Light Meter (FOM)
Locate a fault using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) and point out the aberrations in the display presentation and describe their likely causes
Describe the Fiber Identifier
Exam area 15. Link and Cable Testing
FOS/FOM Link Testing
FOS/FOM Patch Cable Testing
OTDR Loss per Unit Length Testing
OTDR Connector and Splice Evaluation
OTDR Fault Location
Acceptance Testing
ETA CFOT Difficulty rating: this examination rates 4 on a scale of 1 - 5 difficulty rating.
ETA CFOT How long do I have to complete this examination?
75 minutes
ETA CFOT How many questions will I be required to answer?
55 - 65 questions
ETA CFOT How much will this exam cost?
Contact the Examination Test Centre directly for information regarding course availability, registration information and cost. Remember that costs may vary from location to location and from examination to examination.
ETA CFOT Study Tips:
Testking has several products that include excellent materials that will aid in preparation for this exam. Their materials include detailed CFOT study notes and guides, questions and answers with detailed explanations, even practice tests, which were compiled by experts in their respective field. For this examination you can check CFOT Test King and the CFOT practice test.
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