Fiber Optic Center Glossary

A connector fanning out in three directions and looking like a "T". Commonly used is a BNC T connector for 10BASE2 applications.

A hierarchy of digital systems designed to carry speech and other signals in digital form, designated T1, T2, and T4. T1 carrier has 24 PCM voice channels.

The property of an adhesive that enables it to form a bond of measurable strength immediately after adhesive and substrate are brought into contact under low pressure. Same as aggressive tack.

The period of time in which an adhesive will remain in the tacky-dry condition after application to a substrate, under specified conditions of temperature and humidity.

The stickiness of the surface of a sealant or adhesive.

Pertaining to the condition of an adhesive when the volatile constituents have evaporated or been absorbed sufficiently to leave it in a desired tacky state.

A regular macromolecule in which the configurational (repeating) units are all identical. (IUPAC)

A substance composed of tactic macromolecules. (IUPAC)

the orderliness of the succession of configurational repeating units in the main chain of a regular macromolecule (or oligomer or block). (IUPAC)

A small wire rope used to prevent rotation of a load

Subscribers divided by homes connected. Expressed as a percentage, it can also be based on each type of service, i.e., take rates for data, video, voice, or triple/quadruple services.

The process of accumulating wire or cable onto a reel, bobbin, or some other type of pack. Also, the device for pulling wire or cable through a piece of equipment or machine.

A communication device that allows conversation over unused fibers.

A voltage dielectric test in which the test sample is submerged in water and voltage is applied between the conductor and water as ground .

A compound that is most commonly found in oak, cherry, cypress and redwood trees.

An electrical connection to a bus to enable access. A tap may be invasive (requiring a cable splice), or non-invasive (a "vampire" tap).

A relatively narrow woven or cut strip of fabric, paper, or film material.

A spirally applied tape over an insulated or uninsulated wire.

Insulation of helically wound tapes applied over a conductor or over an assembled group of insulated conductors.

A pin type contact having a tapered end designed to be impacted into a taper hole.

Reducing the diameter of the end of a wire rope and welding it to facilitate reeving

Process of insulating continuous length, large diameter wires with tape of non-extrudable materials.

A term used to describe a discolored or stained conductor or shield wire caused by exposure to the atmosphere .

The force required to initiate or continue a tear in a material under specified conditions.

Wayne Kachmar's consulting company for optical cable technical expertise.

A fiber optic coupler in which three fiber ends are joined together, and a signal transmitted from one fiber is split between the other two.

The resultant surface irregularities or projections formed by the breaking of filaments or strings which may form when adhesive-bonded substrates are separated.

DuPont trademark for fluorocarbon resins.

DuPont trademark for fluorocarbon resins.

DuPont Company trademark for high radiation resistant fluorocarbon (ETFE).

DuPont Company trademark for high radiation resistant fluorocarbon (ETFE).

Telephone company, such as a BOC, RBOC, LEC, or PTT

Formerly known as Telcordia-Bell Communications Research, it is the unofficial standards development body providing technical specifications for the RBOCs.

Any transmission, emission, and reception of signs, signals, writings, images and sounds, that is information of any nature by cable, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.

A room where cables are terminated on cross-connect fields, where circuit administration takes place. There are two kinds of telecommunications closets: riser telecommunications closets and satellite telecommunications closets. See also Riser Telecommunications Closet and Satellite Telecommunications Closet. An enclosed space for housing telecommunications equipment, cable terminations, and cross-connect cabling. The telecommunications closet is a recognized cross-connect point between the backbone and horizontal cabling subsystems.

A common point of connection for telecommunications system and bonding to ground, which is located in the telecommunications closet or equipment room.

The US-based organization established to provide industry-wide standards for telecommunications equipment used in North America.

A collection of those telecommunications components excluding equipment, that together provide the basic support for the distribution of all information within a building or campus.

A single-piece cable termination assembly (typically on the floor or in the wall) that contains one or more modular telecom jacks, e.g., RJs, coaxial terminators, fiber optic connections. If more than one type of connector is used, it is called a multiuser telecommunications outlet assembly (MUTOA).

The area used to house, install, and terminate telecommunications equipment and cable; e.g., telecommunications closets, work areas, and handholes.

A condition in a laminate or other type of composite construction in which irregularities, imperfections, or patterns of an inner layer are visibly transmitted to the surface.

Cable used for transmission of information from instruments to the peripheral recording equipment.

A cordless-telephone system is which a subscriber can make but not receive phone calls in public areas which have been equipped with Telepoint base stations. If the system is not mobile; the user must remain essentially in a fixed location throughout the duration of the call. Service and equipment are less expensive than cellular.

Teletypewriter Exchange Service

Teletype Network

a substance composed of macromolecules or oligomer molecules having few, usually terminal, reactive functional groups enabling, under appropriate conditions, the formation of larger macromolecules. (IUPAC)

a polymerization in which a telomer is formed. (IUPAC)

Transverse electromagnetic cell; a chamber that maintains its characteristic impedance throughout its volume. Cable, connector assemblies, and electronic devices are placed inside the cell. The cell also can be used as a detector to measure radiation emitted by devices inside the cell.

1) The hardness and strength produced by mechanical or thermal treatment or both. It is characterized by a certain structure, mechanical properties or reduction in area during cold working. 2) A measurement of the degree of hardness or lack of ductility in a metal.

The amount of resistance change of a material per degree of temperature rise.

The maximum temperature at which the insulating material may be used in continuous operation with a loss of 50% of its original properties.

Temperature change of contact from a no-load condition to full current load. Also referred to as "T" rise.

The maximum stress which can be applied to a material at a given temperature without physical deformation.

The temperature to which an adhesive or an assembly is subjected to cure the adhesive.

The temperature, as a function of time and bonding condition, that produces desired characteristics in bonded components.

The temperature to which an adhesive or an assembly is subjected to set the adhesive.

A complex measurement of the combined reduction of all electromagnetic emissions from specified equipment used in high data security areas.

1) Greatest longitudinal stress that a substance can bear.��2) The pull stress required to break a given specimen.��3) The breaking strength per square inch of cross-sectional area of the material tested.

Force per unit cross sectional area applied to elongate a material.

A controlled pull test on the crimp joint to determine its mechanical strength.

Trademark for Phelps Dodge� Alloy. 135 high strength copper alloy.

A member included in a fiber cable to add tensile strength.

(1) A point at which information may enter or leave a communications network; (2) The input-output associated equipment; (3) A device by means of which wires may be connected to each other.

A protected or unprotected unit of wiring blocks, connecting blocks, and troughs that serves as a transition point between cable conductors.

A device that allows connection of several terminals and multiplexes them onto a LAN cable.

Metal wire termination devices designed to handle one or more conductors, and to be attached to a board bus or block with mechanical fasteners or clipped on.

To connect a wire or wires to a device or a matching impedance connection.

A multi-paired cable usually with tinned conductors and always with fire resistant insulation that is used primarily between the cable vault and the main distributing frame.

Preparation of the end of a fiber to allow connection to another fiber or an active device, sometimes also called "connectorization".

Tools used in preparing optical fibers for splicing and/or installation of connectors.

An optical plug with the fiber dead ended so that there is no reflectance. Terminators measure component reflectance using the OTDR and also reduce Fresnel reflections at open connector ports.

A system where all transmitters and receivers are on the ground.

A short single fiber jumper cable with connectors on both ends used for testing. This cable must be made of fiber and connectors of a matching type to the cables to be tested.

A kit of fiber optic instruments, typically including a power meter, source and test accessories used for measuring loss and power.

A flexible, insulated lead wire used for making tests, connecting instruments to a circuit temporarily or for making temporary electrical connections.

A laser diode or LED used to inject an optical signal into fiber for testing loss of the fiber or other components.

The electrical test of an assembly to verify all expected connections; and to verify insulation prevents unexpected connections.

A thermoplastic material with good electrical insulation properties and chemical and heat resistance. See also PTFE.

Any braid made from threads of cotton, silk or synthetic fibers.

and do not need messy slurries to meet back-reflection of -55dB or better for UPC

A pressure sensitive temperature measuring device that can be placed on a panel prior to pressing to measure maximum press or panel temperature.

Exposure to a thermal condition or programmed series of conditions for predescribed periods of time.

The temperature range in which a material will perform its function without undue degradation.

That change in the electrical resistance of a material when subjected to heat. Resistance to heat flow from conductors to outer surface of insulation or sheath in a wire of cable.

Thermal resistance of a unit cube of material.

1) The effect of heat or cold applied at such a rate that non-uniform thermal expansion or contraction occurs within a given material or combination of materials.��2) A test to determine the ability of a material to withstand heat and cold by subjecting it to rapid and wide changes in temperature.

A device consisting of two dissimilar metals in physical contact, which when heated will develop an emf output.

Contact made of special material used in connectors employed in thermocouple applications. Materials often used are iron, constantan, copper, chromel and alumel.

A thermocouple designed to be used as part of an assembly, but without associated parts such as the terminal block, connecting head, or protecting tube.

A cable comprised of one or more twisted thermocouple extension wires under a common sheath.

A pair of wires of dissimilar alloys having such emf temperature characteristics complementing the thermocouple which is intended to be used, such that when properly connected, allows the emf to be faithfully transmitted to the reference junction.

An insulated pair of wires used from the couple to a junction box.

A two conductor cable, each conductor employing a dissimilar metal, made up especially for temperature measurements.

A device used in laser transmitters to maintain a cool, stable temperature for a laser diode prolonging its life, maintaining stable output power, and promoting wavelength stability.

Polymer or copolymer capable of being softened by heating and hardened by cooling.

Jacket compounds (such as PVC, PE, and TPE) that will resoften and distort from their formed shapes by heating above a critical temperature peculiar to the material.

Capable of being repeatedly softened by heat and hardened by cooling.

A material that will repeatedly soften when heated and harden when cooled.

A material which hardens or sets by heat, chemical or radiation cross-linking techniques and which, once set, cannot be re-softened by heating. A material that will undergo or has undergone a chemical reaction by the action of heat, catalysts, ultraviolet light, etc., leading to a relatively infusible state. Monomer, polymer or copolymer, which when cured, changes into a substantially infusible and insoluble product. A network polymer obtained by cross-linking a linear polymer to make it infusible or insoluble.

Pertaining to the state of a resin in which it is relatively infusible.

Having the property of undergoing a chemical reaction by the action of heat, catalysts, ultraviolet light, etc., leading to a relatively infusible state.

The state of a polymer solution for which the second virial coefficient is zero. (IUPAC)

The temperature at which a solution is in the theta state. (IUPAC)

Thermoplastic insulated, high heat resistant, nylon jacketed cable, 90�C dry location, 75�C wet location.

The transmission medium used for Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 10Base5 LANs. It is a 50 ohm thick coax cable (commonly referred to as the thick yellow cable).

Distance from one surface of either a tape, backing or adhesive to the other, usually expressed in mils or thousandths of an inch; usually measured under slight pressure with a special gauge or caliper.

Another term for IEEE 802.3 10BASE-5 systems.

The transmission medium used for IEEE 802.3 10Base2 LANs (sometimes referred to as CheaperNet). It is a 50 ohm thin coax cable.

Normally describes a 10BASE-2 system. Also called Cheapernet.

A volatile liquid added to an adhesive to modify the consistency or other properties.

Nonsagging. A material that maintains its shape unless agitated. A thixotropic sealant can be placed in a joint in a vertical wall and will maintain its shape without sagging during the curing process.

Term which describes the flow character of a liquid or paste. Liquids that are thixotropic flow under shear but flow less when the shear is removed. Best example is ketchup.

A material that maintains shape unless agitated. A thixotropic sealant can be placed in a joint in a vertical wall and will maintain its shape or position without sagging during the curing process.

A means of coupling mating connectors by engaging threads in a coupling ring with threads on a receptacle shell. (MIL-STD)

A coupling mechanism utilizing matching screw threads for mating and un-mating of cylindrical connectors incorporating an automatically actuated locking mechanism to prevent the coupling ring from becoming loose under vibration

A means of coupling mating connectors by engaging threads in a coupling ring with threads on a receptacle shell.

Three insulated conductors assembled with other necessary cable components (shield, filler, etc.) to form a core, protected by an overall jacket.

Current delivered through three wires, with each wire serving as a return for the other two.

An alternating current supply system comprising three conductors over which three-phase power is sent.

A DC or single-phase AC system comprising three conductors, one of which is maintained at a potential midway between the potential of the other two.

A defined pass or fail value, i.e., the maximum or minimum value of insertion loss in dB or dBm.

A method for constructing electronic circuits in which the components are inserted into holes drilled in printed boards and soldered to pads on the opposite side. Frequently abbreviated as THT. An alternate spelling is thru-hole.�

See Telecommunications Industry Association.

1) Telecommunications Industry Association/Electronic Industries Association; 2) North American Standards Organization.

North American Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard.

North American commercial building standard for telecommunications pathways and spaces. Its purpose is to standardize specific design and construction practices within and between buildings which are in support of telecommunications media and equipment.

North American administration standard for the telecommunications infrastructure of commercial buildings. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for a uniform administration scheme for the cabling infrastructure.

A type of fastener, especially for binding several electronic cables or wires together, and to organize cables and wires. It consists of a sturdy Nylon tape with an integrated gear rack, and on one end a ratchet within a small open case. It is also referred to as a "cable tie", "strap", "rat belt", "mouse belt", or "zip tie".�

Type of cable construction whereby each glass fiber is tightly buffered by a protective thermoplastic coating to a diameter of 900m. Increased buffering provides ease of handling and connectorization.

A material surrounding a fiber in a cable, holding it firmly in place.

A type of cable with internal 900-micron coated fibers, such as breakout and distribution styles. Jacket materials vary but they are normally rated for indoor use to meet plenum, riser, and LSZH requirements.

A low order or axial mode from either a laser or a LED. Low order modes cause less differential mode delay (higher bandwidth).

A data transmission method in which a number of individual transmitters in different locations share a transmission channel, each occupying the channel for a portion of the total time.

A digital technique for combining two or more signals into a single stream of data by sharing time.

The cellular industry established a TDMA digital standard in 1989. TDMA increases the channel capacity by chopping the signal into pieces and assigning each one to a different time slot. Current technology divides the channel into three time slots, each lasting a fraction of a second. Therefore, a single channel can be used to handle three simultaneous calls.

The process or device by which more than one signal can be sent over a single channel by using different time intervals for the different signals. This may be done by varying the pulse duration, pulse amplitude and pulse position.

The time interval between the spreading of the adhesive on the substrate and the application of pressure or heat, or both, to the assembly. Same as closed assembly time.

The period of time during which an assembly is subject to heat or pressure, or both, to cure the adhesive.

The period of time during which an adhesive on a substrate or an assembly is allowed to dry with or without the application of heat or pressure, or both.

Time needed for adhesive to reach sufficient strength to allow pieces to be handled and moved.

The time interval between the removal of the joint from conditions of heat or pressure, or both, used to accomplish bonding and the attainment of approximately maximum bond strength. Sometimes called joint aging time.

Time during which the adhesive remains active without curing after being applied to the substrate.

The period of time during which an assembly is subjected to heat or pressure, or both to set the adhesive.

A metallic element with atomic number 50. A common terminal plating material used on brass, copper and (over a layer of copper flash) on steel. It provides high conductivity at low cost and is often used on terminal components that will be in contact with aluminum to reduce galvanic corrosion.

Tinned copper wire, stranded, then coated with pure tin.

An alloy used for the majority of soldering operations in the electronics industry. Usually an alloy close to the eutectic composition (62% Sn, 38% Pb) is chosen to permit usage of the lowest possible soldering temperature thereby reducing risk of damage to temperature-sensitive components.

Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture Consortium

Tin coating added to copper to aid in soldering and inhibit corrosion.

Copper wire that has been coated with a layer of tin or solder to facilitate soldering.

The process of coating wires or contacts with a light layer of solder. This allow you to more easily melt them together when soldering.�

A type of electrical conductor comprised of a number of tiny threads, each thread having a fine, flat ribbon of copper or other metal closely spiraled about it. Used for small size cables requiring limpness and extra-long flex life.

A low voltage, stranded wire where each strand is very thin conductor ribbon spirally wrapped around a textile yarn.

Telemanagement Forum

Telecommunications Managenment Network

Traffic Measurement And Recording Systems

Coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Available in 50 ohm and 75 ohm versions. Frequency range DC - 11 GHz (50 ohm) and DC - 1 GHz (75 ohm), respectively.

A special data sequence that is continuously sent around the ring. The term "token" represents permission to transmit from one station to its downstream neighbor.

A bus topology that uses token passing as its contention method.

Moving a special combination of bits from station to station in a ring or bus when there is no traffic. When a workstation has the token, it may then use the network channel for communications.

A data link protocol type which implements media access control (MAC) by the circulation of a token around a complete ring network. Each station in the ring sequentially receives the opportunity to send data on the network as the token is passed around the network.

A 4 or 16 Mb/s LAN standard based on token passing access protocol originally developed by IBM. Sometimes referred to as IEEE 802.5 or ISO 8802-5 standard.

The total amount by which a quantity is allowed to vary from nominal; thus, the tolerance is half the algebraic difference between the maximum and minimum limits.

The transportation of one ton cargo over a distance of one kilometre.

Bare (untinned) copper wire, stranded, then coated with tin.

The architecture of a network or the way circuits are connected to link the network nodes together.

Measure of force needed to initiate movement of an unseated fastener in a loosening direction.

Test designed to measure breakaway and prevailing torque of a threaded piece coated with thread locking adhesive.

Measurement of average force needed to provide continuing movement, after unseating, through first full turn.

Confinement of light into the core of a fiber by the reflection off the core-cladding boundary.

The phenomenon of light rays reflecting at the core-clad boundary of an optical fiber, allowing transmission along the length of the fiber. It occurs when the angle of incidence is lower than the critical angle.

Total IL of entire cable, includes fiber and both connectors.

Poisonous or dangerous to humans by swallowing, inhalation, or contact resulting in eye or skin irritation.

A means of identifying polarity.

When more than one color coding stripe is required, the first, or widest, stripe is the base stripe, the other, usually narrower stripes, being termed tracer stripes.

Name given to a product by manufacturer or supplier.

Confidential information that gives the owner an advantage over competitors.

A measure of the activity on a network at a given time. Network analyzers can monitor traffic and when Ethernet segments start to exceed 30% to 40% utilization, they run much slower and need to be segmented with switches.

The European digital cellular land mobile-radio system.

A device that combines both a transmitter and a receiver.

A device used to convert one television format to another.

A device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

A measure of shielding performance determined by the ratio of the voltage on the conductors enclosed by a shield to the surface currents on the outside of the shield.

A device for converting A-C current from one voltage to another either �stepped up� or �stepped down.�

An electronic device used to control the flow of electricity.�

A location in the horizontal cabling where flat undercarpet cable connects to round cable.

Transfer of electric energy from one location to another through conductors or by radiation or induction fields.

Two or more transmission lines.

The actual length of the path from the transmitter of one node to the receiver of the next downstream node. The maximum transmission distance is determined by the maximum signal loss (attenuation limit) that can be withstood between any transmitter and receiver.

A signal-carrying circuit composed of conductors and dielectric material with controlled electrical characteristics used for the transmission of high-frequency, narrow-pulse type signals.

Two or more conductors placed within a dielectric material in such a way as to control the electrical characteristics.

The decrease or loss in power during transmission of energy from one point or another. Usually expressed in decibels.

The various types of copper wire and fiber optic cable used for transmitting voice, data, or video signals.

A device which includes a LED or laser source and signal conditioning electronics that is used to inject a signal into fiber.

Transmitting rays of light so that objects can be seen through the material.

A device which includes a traveling-wave tube or solid-state amplifier, used to transmit and receive radio signals on command at different frequencies. Modern communications satellites may have up to 90 transponders.

A common network layer and transport layer data networking protocol.

Layer 4 of the OSI model. The transport layer provides for end-to-end data relaying service across any type of data network and is responsible for end-to-end reliability.

A transposed pair occurs when the ends of two twisted pairs are interchanged. This condition is detected by a LAN Cable Tester�s Wiremap test. (also see SPLIT PAIR and REVERSED PAIR).

Interchanging the relative positions of wires to neutralize the effects of induction to or from other circuits or, to minimize interference pickup by the lead-in during reception.

A ratio expressed in dB, of measured common mode voltage on a pair relative to the differential mode voltage on the same pair applied at the same end.

A cable tray is a unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings, made of noncombustible materials forming a rigid structural system used to support cables.

A factory-assembled multi-conductor or multi-pair control cable approved under the National Electrical Code for installation in cable trays.

Three insulated wires of a single circuit forming a unit. (Two or more units are cabled to form a multi-triad cable.)

A three-conductor cable with one conductor in the center, a second circular conductor shield concentric with the first, and third circular conductor shield insulated from and concentric with the first and second, usually with insulation, and over a braid

A cable construction having three coincident axes, such as conductor, first shield and second shield, all insulated from one another.

Connector composed of three concentric conductors, an inner conductor, intermediate conductor and outer conductor, separated by dielectrics.

Noise generated in a shielded cable due to movement between the components as the cable is flexed.

See potentiometer.�

Three monomers linked together

A cable consisting of three insulated single conductors twisted together.

A cable composed of three insulated single conductors and one bare conductor all twisted together. It may or may not have a common covering of binding.

A saw using three chips and a raker to let each chip do a third of the cutting. This saw is used for trimming because of the smooth cut ft produces.

Voice, video, and data communications.

A cable composed of three insulated single conductor cables twisted together.

Three individual cables twisted together.

Commonly known as a passive WDM, this transceiver package performs three multiplexing or demultiplexing functions.

A stranded wire or twisted cable in which each successive layer has a reversed direction of lay from the preceding layer.

A cable in which each successive layer has a reversed direction of lay from the preceding layer.

A communication link between two switching systems. The term switching typically includes equipment in a central office (or the telephone company) and PBXs. A tie trunk connects PBXs. Central office trunks connect a PBX to the switching system at the central office. See also Private Branch Exchange (PBX)

In telecommunication or CATV systems, the transmission cable from the head end (signal pickup) to the trunk amplifier. Also called a Trunk Cable.

A type of modulation that requires a 0 or 5 VDC, TTL compatible input signal to control laser output. Unlike analog modulated lasers, they cannot produce any level of fractional power. They are either ON or OFF. Users can program it to enable, inhibit, or modulate a laser, making it an excellent resource for synchronization applications.

A tube of extruded non-supported plastic or metallic material.

A laser that can change its wavelength. Applications include research, OTDRs, and for protection in transmission systems.

Trunk Utilization Report

The apparent absorbance of the incident radiation due to scattering (IUPAC)

A process where the manufacturer procures all the parts and materials and deliver complete assemblies or cables to the customer.�

A device that is attached to a crimping tool which contains more than one locator and allows the locators to be rotated to hold a contact in the correct position for crimping. It is usually interchangeable with other turret heads and head assemblies. (MIL-STD)

A pair of insulated conductors twisted, sheathed, or held together mechanically and not identifiable from each other in a common covering.

A configuration containing two separate complete coaxial cables laid parallel or twisted around each other in one complex .

A single cable consisting of two separate coaxial cables laid adjacent and parallel or twisted together.

A transmission line which has a solid insulating material, in which the two conductors a replaced in parallel to each other.

Two insulated conductors inside a common insulator, covered by a metallic shield and enclosed in a cable sheath.

A device for twisting together two conductors.

Synonymous with pairing.

Refers to a NEMA device with circular prongs that locks the connection in place. Locking connectors use curved blades. Once pushed into the receptacle, the plug is twisted and its now-rotated blades latch into the receptacle. To unlatch the plug, the rotation is reversed. The locking coupling makes for a more reliable connection in commercial and industrial settings, where vibration or incidental impact could disconnect a non-locking connector.

A cable composed of two small insulated conductors twisted together without a common covering. The twists, or lays, are varied in length to reduce the potential for signal interference between pairs. In cables greater than 25 pairs, the twisted pairs are grouped and bound together in a common sheath. Twisted pair is the most common type of transmission media.

Any three individually insulated conductors which are twisted together.

An adhesive supplied in two parts which are mixed before application. Such adhesives usually cure at room temperature.

Any glue that passes ANSI Type I water resistance specification. This test is more rigorous than the Type II test. It involves specimens being immersed in boiling water for four hours, then dried in an oven at 150�F, then boiled again for four hours, and cooled in water just prior to testing. Specimens must meet wood failure requirements to pass this test.

Any glue that passes the ANSI Type II water-resistance specification. This is a rigorous test that involves specimens being soaked in water for four hours, then dried in an oven at 120�F. If no delamination is seen after three cycles, the glue passes