Fiber Optics, The Basics (CFOT Level)
Most links are to web pages with tutorials. "VHO" means a step-by-step hands-on installation tutorial. Many topics have videos on YouTube listed below.
FOA Video Lectures and videos about fiber optic cable preparation, termination, splicing and testing on
FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics Textbook - Second Edition 2024
FOA Textbook on Fiber Optics (available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese)
Lennie Lightwave's Guide - The basic introduction to fiber optics
Many of you have used the current online version of Lennie's Guide on the FOA website. Now you can have a slick printed version - real paper and colored pictures - you can hold in your hand and read. Leave a copy on your desktop to impress your friends, or on the table in your company's reception area instead of out-of-date magazines. Give them to your customers and employees to help them learn fiber optics. Use it to prepare for FOA certifications.
You can get your own printed copies of Lennie Lightwave's Guide at Amazon.com,
Most links are to web pages with tutorials. "VHO" means a step-by-step hands-on installation tutorial. Many topics have videos on YouTube listed below.
See the "Fiber Optic Technology and Standards" Section below for information on networks, etc.
FOA Video Lectures and videos about premises cabling installation on
FOA Textbook on Premises Cabling
Outside Plant Fiber Optics (Specialist, CFOS/O Level)
Most links are to web pages with tutorials. "VHO" means a step-by-step hands-on installation tutorial. Many topics have videos on YouTube listed below.
Additional Topics For OSP Fiber Optics
FTTH Project Management
Migration from GPON to XG(S)-PON
Migration from CATV HFC To PON
Examples of poor installation of FTTH in the aerial outside plant and in the customer premises.
Fiber Optic Splitters for PONs
Customer Premises Drop Cables
Installing FTTH Electronics
Troubleshooting FTTH.
FTTH Videos on
Definitions of Terms
See the "Fiber Optic Technology and Standards" Section below for information on networks, WDM, etc.
FOA Video Lectures and videos about cable preparation, termination, splicing and testing on
FOA Textbook on Outside Plabnt Fiber Optics
Networks Networks are built on cable plants but it helps to understand how they work also.
Telephone, long haul, metropolitan
Satellite Communications
Coherent Communications For High Speed Long Haul Networks
New book - - FOA Guide To Fiber Broadband
FTTH (Fiber To The Home)
FTTH Network Design
FTTH Installation
FTTH Customer Premises Installation
FTTH Testing ,
FTTH Case Studies: Terabit Cities and Do-It-Yourself FTTH
Resources for Rural Broadband
FTTH Project Management
Migration from GPON to XG(S)-PON
Migration from CATV HFC To PON
Fiber Optic Splitters for PONs
Customer Premises Drop Cables
Examples of poor installation of FTTH in the aerial outside plant and in the customer premises.
Installing FTTH Electronics
Troubleshooting FTTH.
FTTH Videos on
FOA FTTH Handbook Ahora en español! - Spanish!
Fiber For Wireless. Free Online Course on Fiber U Non-Communications Applications
Fiber Optic Sensors
Fiber Optic Lighting (TT)
Inspection/ Viewing Using Fiber Optics
Videos on fiber optic applications on
Fiber Optic Cable Jacket And Connector Color Codes (with guides to print or download)
Safety procedures Including Eye Safety Video on safety on FOA Lecture 2: Safety When Working With Fiber Optics.
FOA Standards Understandable versions of industry standards
FOA Standard FOA-1: Testing Loss of Installed Fiber Optic Cable Plant, (Insertion Loss, TIA OFSTP-14, OFSTP-7, ISO/IEC 61280, ISO/IEC 14763, etc.)
FOA Standard FOA-2: Testing Loss of Fiber Optic Cables, Single Ended, (Insertion Loss, TIA FOTP-171, OFSTP-7, , ISO/IEC 14763)
FOA Standard FOA-3: Measuring Optical Power (Transmitter and Receiver Power, FOTP-95, Numerous ISO/IEC standards)
FOA Standard FOA-4: OTDR Testing of Fiber Optic Cable Plant (TIA FOTP-8/59/60/61/78, ISO/IEC 14763, etc.)
FOA Standard FOA-5 Fiber Optic Datalinks
FOA Standard FOA-6: Fiber Optic Cable Plant
FOA Standard FOA-7: Mode Conditioning For Testing Multimode Fiber Optic Cables
ANSI/NECA/FOA-301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard
The FOA and NECA wrote this ANSI standard (American National Standard) covering the installation of fiber optic cable plants. This standard was withdrawn as an ANSI standard for revision. It still has lots of good information on fiber optic installation and is available for free downloads from FOA. More.
Fiber Optic Components
Most links are to web pages with tutorials. "VHO" means a step-by-step hands-on installation tutorial. Many topics have videos on YouTube listed below. See the Testing Section for more information on how components are tested.
Optical Fiber
Optical Fiber.
Total Internal Reflection In Optical Fiber. Also see FOA Lecture 60 How Fiber Works (video)
Singlemode and Multimode Fiber Nomenclature Used In International Standards
Choosing G.xxx fiber types (PDF)
Multimode Premises Cable Plant Nomenclature (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, etc.)
Plastic Optical Fiber (POF)
How Optical Fiber Is Manufactured
Bend-Insensitive Fibers Compatibility of G.652 and G.657 BI Singlemode Fibers.
Macro- And Micro-Bending Of Fibers
Myth: Does Glass "Flow" Over Time?
Reading Markings on Fiber Optic Cables High Fiber Count Cables (1728+). Fiber Optic Cable Jacket And Connector Color Codes Cable Bend Diameter or Radius Cable Preparation: VHO: Cable preparation Midspan Access Midspan Access (hands-0n) Free Online "Fiber Optic Skills Lab" Course on Fiber U Videos on Air-Blown Fiber Patchcords – selection, testing, management
Connectors & Termination Free Online "Fiber Optic Skills Lab" Course on Fiber U
Splicing and Termination Identifying Fiber Optic Connectors Connector Names and Nomenclature MPO array/parallel connectors, description, polarity and how to test them Videos on Fiber Optic Cable Jacket And Connector Color Codes
Standards For Connector Intermateability, FOCIS Effects of Alignment and Fiber Geometry on Fiber Optic Connector Loss Reflectance Testing Basic termination including testing connectors (Tutorial) Adhesive/polish connectors VHO: Epoxy/Polish, Videos on Anaerobic, Hot Melt Hints For Adhesive/Polish Connector Terminations
Prepolished/splice connectors and SOC VHO: Pre-Polished Splice/SOC Videos on Prefabricated cable systems Singlemode fiber termination: VHO: Singlemode termination Termination Times For Various Methods and Connector Types Repairing Connectors By Polishing
Media Conversion : Converting copper or wireless to fiber, etc.
Splices Free Online "Fiber Optic Skills Lab" Course on Fiber U
Splicing and Termination Basic splices (Tutorial) Mechanical splices VHO: Mech splice Videos on Fusion splices - VHO: single fiber ribbon Videos on Estimates of Splicing Times for Various Cable Configurations Splicing different types of SM Fiber (PDF)
Standards TIA 568 Standard For Fiber OpticsVideos on fiber optic components on
Fiber Optic Network Design And Project Management
Designing Fiber Optic Networks, a short reference guide for managers, users, contractors, installers, etc. (Printable PDF, 1.3 MB)
FOA Video Lectures on fiber optic network design on
FOA textbook on Fiber Optic Network Design
Installation of FO Cable Plants
See the Components Section for installation processes for fiber optic cable plant components and the Testing Section for more information on how installed cable plants are tested.
Installing Fiber Optic Cable Plants - FOA Tech Bulletin, (PDF 0.2 MB) basis of the ANSI/NECA/FOA-301 Installation Standard
Installation Overview
Outside Plant Fiber Optic Cable Plant Construction Midspan Access Midspan Access (hands-0n) Free Online Course on Fiber U Getting Training
Installation Checklist - step by step installation planning
Acceptance of the Finished Installation - Deliverables.
The Role of the Contractor
Planning the Installation
Project Management Processes For Fiber Optic Projects (PDF) See also the video: FOA Lecture 33, Cabling Project Management
Safety procedures Including Eye Safety Video on safety on FOA Lecture 2: Safety When Working With Fiber Optics
Tools and Equipment
Cleaning Fiber Optic Connections
Receiving cable and components onsite
Installing Cable - General Guidelines , Air-Blown Fiber , Midspan Access.
Cable Bend Diameter or Radius.
Installing a Swivel Pulling Eye on Cable
Polarity in Fiber Optic Networks
Maintenance (It's not needed - best leave it alone!)
Troubleshooting fiber optic cable plants and communications systems. (PDF, 0.1 Mb)
Restoration
Outside Plant (see the complete OSP section)
Digging Safely - call before you dig
Laying, placing or pulling OSP cable
Cable Bend Diameter or Radius
How To "Figure 8" Cable For Intermediate Pulls
Splicing OSP cable
Splice Closures
Termination (splicing on pigtails, PPS, preterminated)
Patchcords – selection, testing, management
Testing requirements
Transmission Equipment – power requirements - using attenuators as needed
Special methods ( Air-Blown Fiber , prefab/preterminated cables )
Aerial FTTH drops
Microtrenching
Air-Blown Cable Installation
Midspan Access Midspan Access (hands-0n)
Mini-sub (submarine) Cable Preparation
OPGW (Optical power ground wire) Preparation
Examples of poor installation of FTTH in the aerial outside plant and in the customer premises.
Customer Premises Drop Cables
Videos on fiber optic installation on
Testing & Troubleshooting Fiber Optic Systems
Most links are to web pages with tutorials. "VHO" means a step-by-step hands-on installation tutorial. Many topics have videos on YouTube listed below.
Cleaning Fiber Optic Connections (do this before testing or connecting to equipment)
Technical Issues For Testing
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting fiber optic cable plants and communications systems. (PDF, 0.1 Mb)
Troubleshooting Singlemode Networks . FOA Video Lectures and videos on testing on
Maintenance
Restoration (planning & implementing) and Restoration
Upgrading
FOA Video Lectures and videos on
Designing Fiber Optic Networks - for contractors, designers, installers and users and the reference for the FOA CFOS/D Design Certification (PDF, 1.3 MB).
Fiber Optic Restoration - how to plan ahead and restore networks quickly. (PDF, 0.1 Mb)
FOA YouTube Videos
The FOA has more than 100 videos on YouTube, including Lecture Series on Fiber Optics and Premises Cabling, Hands-On lectures on both and some other informational and instructional videos. For all the videos, go to the FOA Channel "thefoainc" or use the direct links below.
Below is a list of the current lectures and hands-on videos. We're looking for ideas for topics for future lectures. Send your ideas to .
About the FOA,
Qué es la FOA (What Is The FOA, in Spanish )
FOA Standards
Careers In Fiber Optics This video was created to introduce the newcomer - particularly the student in Jr. High or High School - to the types of careers that exist in fiber optics, how to learn more about them and how to prepare for a career in this fast-growing field.
Where Are The Jobs In Fiber Optics? FOA talks about all the applications for fiber optics, what jobs involve and the qualifications for the workers in the field.
How to Talk Fiber Optics - an introduction to fiber optic jargon.
Fiber Optics For Teachers - An Introduction A special video for STEM teachers K-12 and tech schools showing how to demo fiber in the classroom. More for STEM teachers below.
Hands-On Fiber Optic Videos
The 3M Easy Cleaver: FOA tests the 3M "disposable" cleaver and shows its unique diamond filament scriber
Fiber Optic Stripping Tools: Comparison of Miller, No-Nik and Microstrip and introduction of the New Ripley/Miller Center Feed stripper.
Panduit's PanMPO Connector: Helps manage polarity with the MPO connector for testing and cable plants.
Fiber U® - "Fiber University" Online Training
Fiber U is the FOA website with free online self-study programs, Fiber U self-study programs cover most of the topics here and allows you to test your comprehension of the subject at the end of each section. For most programs, after you complete the self-study part you can take an online quiz and get a certificate of completion.
Fiber U Self-Study Programs
MiniCourses: (Short courses you can finish in an hour or less)
Fiber Optics In Communications
How Fiber Works
Fiber Optic Color Codes
Fiber Optic Connector Identification
Fiber Optic Connector Inspection and Cleaning
The Mysterious dB of Fiber Optics
Fiber Optic Cable Bend Radius
Fiber Optic Loss and Power Budgets.
Reference Cables For Fiber Optic Testing
Fiber Optic Media Conversion
Fiber Optic Cable Midspan Access
Fiber Optic Restoration
Fiber Optic Attenuators
Fiber Optics - Premises Cabling - Outside Plant - OSP Construction - Network Design - Fiber Optic Testing - FTTH Handbook - Fiber Broadband
FOA has textbooks on Fiber Optics, Premises Cabling, OSP Fiber Optics and OSP Construction and the FTTH Handbook. The Fiber Broadband book is a book explaining how fiber optics powers all forms of communications today.
Languages: Fiber Optics available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, Design available in English and Spanish, FTTH Handbook available in English and Spanish
All are self-published by FOA and available at very reasonable prices.
Available printed or eBooks on the Amazon Kindle. Click on each book for details.
ANSI/NECA/FOA-301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard
The FOA and NECA wrote this ANSI standard (American National Standard) covering the installation of fiber optic cable plants. This standard was withdrawn as an ANSI standard for revision. It still has lots of good information on fiber optic installation and is available for free downloads from FOA. More.
FOA LossCalc App (FREE)
FOA LossCalc estimates the optical loss of a fiber optic link. This will save time for the installer of a fiber optic link needing to know whether test results are reasonable and/or make a "pass/fail" determination. It can also help the designer of a link to determine if communications equipment will operate over this link.
By choosing the type of link (singlemode or multimode) and specifying the length of the fiber and numbers of connections and splices, it will calculate the end to end loss of the link. The app has default specifications for singlemode and multimode links or the user may create custom setups with specifications appropriate for any application. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foa-losscalc/id476262894?mt=8&ls=1
Getting Started Guides
These two guides are simple introductions to the subjects. They will explain the applications, jargon, components and installation in a quick overview.
Lennie Lightwave's Guide to Fiber Optics (online) and available as a free iBook on iTunes Uncle Ted's Guide to Communications Cabling (online) and available as a free iBook on iTunes Lennie and Uncle Ted are now available as free iBooks on iTunes
Teachers in all grades can introduce their students to fiber optic technology with some simple demonstrations. FOA has created a page for
STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) teachers with materials appropriate to their classes. Fiber Optic Resources For Teachers.
Interested in linking to FOA webpages or reproducing FOA copyrighted technical materials? Here is the FOA policy on use of our technical materials.
Got feedback? Let us know how we can make The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide better. Email us at
This is the FOA's Guide To Fiber Optics & Premises Cabling. It includes almost a thousand pages of materials created by the FOA covering the basics to advanced topics on fiber optics and premises cabling.The goal of this website is educating students, users, designers, installers or anyone interested in the subject of fiber and cabling for communications systems.
The Guide is intended to be used as reference material for those working in the industry, studying for FOA Certifications, teaching fiber optic training classes or giving refresher tutorials for FOA CFOTs. It includes what is essentially an online version of the FOA textbooks that you can also purchase a printed or ebook version. Books
Disclaimer: This information is provided by The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. as a benefit to those interested in teaching, designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or using fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is intended to be used as an overview and/or basic guidelines and in no way should be considered to be complete or comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion of the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a basis for learning, as a reference and for creating their own documentation, project specifications, etc. Those working with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or field should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA assumes no liability for the use of any of this material.
Note: The FOA knowledge base includes suggested materials in helping individuals to become prepared for FOA certification exams. The information provided is not intended to be inclusive of all potentially useful resources, nor does inclusion in this knowledge base constitute an endorsement by the FOA.
There is a tremendous amount of information on this website, so finding things can be a challenge. Here are some guidelines to make it easier.
If you want to look for a subject like standards, components or testing, go directly to the Table of Contents.
If you want a self-study guide, go to Fiber U.
This website will be constantly changing as new information is added. Suggestions regarding the content are welcomed. Send suggestions to info@foa.org .
Printed, Kindle, iBook and iPad/iPhone App versions of the FOA textbooks are available. Details here.
(C)1999-2019, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
