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HFC TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATIONPROGRAM 2011



TABLE OF CONTENTS Module 0 - Introduction

Module 1 - HFC Overview

Module 2 - CustomerService Part 1:Professionalism

Module 3 - Planning theInstallation

Module 4 - AerialInstallations

Module 5 - UndergroundInstallation

Module 6 - Bonding and

Grounding Module 7 - Cable Entrance

Module 8 - TerminalDevices

Module 9 - Connecting the

Customer Equipment

Module 11 - Connecting theCustomer Equipment

Module 12 - TestEquipment

Module 13 - Troubleshooting & RepairProcess

Module 14 - ReducingSignal Impairments

Module 15 - CustomerService Part 2: CustomerRelations

Module 16 - Prewires Modules 17 - MDUs

Module S1 – PPE

Module S2 – Safe WorkPractices



ICE BREAKER Introduction – Name

Cable Tv, Fiber (or related experience)

Objectives for the workshop (What would you like to getfrom this course?)

HOUSEKEEPING RULES Sign-in Sheet

Student manuals Questions are welcomed and encouraged

Break/Lunch

Phones and pagers



COURSE LEARNINGOBJECTIVESo Describe a basic overview of an HFC system

o Explain the components of good customer service and relations

o Demonstrate proper and safe use of installation toolso Describe how to plan an installation

o Describe the characteristics of drop cable

o Demonstrate proper cable handling techniques

o Describe the steps to perform an aerial installation

o Describe the steps to perform an underground installationo Describe the steps to properly bond the installation

o Identify the various terminal devices found within the customer’shome

o Explain the steps for customer equipment for video, voice and

high speed data serviceso Identify the various types of test equipment used in a triple play

installation

o Explain installation troubleshooting and repair process

o Identify the types of system impairments

o Explain the steps to prewire new construction.o Ex lain the ste s to install an MDU



COURSE AGENDATIME/BLOCK

DAY 118TH April

DAY 219TH April

DAY 320TH April

DAY 421ST April

0830 – 1015hrs

IntroductionOver HFC system /basic cabletechnology

Aerial InstallationHands-- on lab‐

Exteriorinstallationoverall processHands-- on lab‐

Terminal DevicesConnecting theCustomerEquipment(broadband)

1015 – 1030

hrs

BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK

1030 - 1215 Tools and materials Hands---on lab

Exterior cablingHands---on lab

Interior wiringHands---on lab

Terminal DevicesConnecting theCustomerEquipment (Voice)

1215 – 1300

hrs

LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH

1300 – 1445hrs

Drop CableRefresher Hands---on lab

Bonding/GroundingHands---on lab

Terminal DevicesConnecting theCustomer Equip(Video)

Troubleshooting &Repair ProcessImpairments

1445 – 1500hrs

BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK

– ’ ’ ’



MODULE 4: AERIAL

INSTALLATIONOBJECTIVES:



Connecting the Coax at theTap

• critical part of the installation process is how you make theconnection at the tap. Successfully complete these basicguidelines to achieve a quality installation. Each installationpresents a unique set of circumstances. These guidelineswill provide the necessary structure and foundation for yourwork.

• In an aerial installation, after you have completed anevaluation of the pole, determined the route andattachment points, and discussed the route with thecustomer, you are ready to begin the installation.



Cont;



Pole Location

• Identify the pole and tap that will serve the customer. In mostcases, the proper routing will parallel the power and/ortelephone service drop and will not trespass property lines.

Aerial Trespass• Also called cable trespass, occurs when the drop cable

crosses neighboring property lines and should be avoided.



Cont;



Survey Climbing Route• Determine if you will gaff the pole or if a ladder is required.

Conduct a pole test prior to your climb and employ all safetypractices for climbing poles and placing ladders.

•

Before you begin your climb, test for voltage on any risers asrequired with your voltage detector. Survey the climb.

• Avoid using portable metallic ladders.



Climbing SpaceWhen planning a cable route make sure you can maintain a minimum of 30

inches of climbing space or “box” on the pole. This space allows for safeclimbing, either by using a ladder or gaffs.

Check the climbing space for potential hazards, Be aware of live electricalwires, objects that can cause head injuries and other situations that requireaction.

Ensure you have all necessary tools and equipment before ascending.



Connection at the Tap

• Position the cable reel and pull the cable from the reel.

• Pull the cable behind you as you climb, making sure that youleave the cable slack as you climb. If you allow the cable to pulltight as you ascend, the stress on the cable may cause you to losebalance.

• Follow proper cable handling and bending guidelines. As you pullthe cable, do not allow the cable to kink or bend. Such handlingwill damage the cable and may cause signal interference orleakage. Watch for loops and tangles in the cable in the cable asyou climb.

• Descend the pole to untangle that form. Never pull on a cable thathas become looped or tangled, as you may tighten the loop andexceed it’s bending radius. Once the cable’s bending radius iscompromised, the cable may be damaged and may need to bereplaced all th e way to the pole.

• Connect the cable to your break-away clip.

• Do not hold the cable in your hand or tie to your body belt.



Cont;



Span Clamp Installation• Select the location to install the span clamp, also called a drop clamp or a

Q-span clamp.

• Install the span clamp hook with the hook side up (the opening of the “Q”),facing toward the house, and attached on top of the strand. Do not placethe span clamp upside down or sideways, as another drop may be placed

on the same span clamp at a later date.• You may be able to use an existing span clamp to attach the drop. Some

companies require a new span clamp for each installation, and others maypermit not more than four span clamps for any pole – that is, two on eachside with one facing each direction.

• Follow your company’s policies.

•

Attach the span clamp firmly to the strand a minimum of 30 inches fromthe center of the pole. If the span clamp is to be attached on the side of the pole where taps, passives, amplifiers, etc., are located, the span clampmust be a minimum of 6 inches from the end of any device, away from thepole. These distances allow space for any future work on the feeder cable,or for others to climb the pole safely.

• Ensure the drop follows the strand whenever possible. Avoid crossing theface of the pole with the cable. If the attachment point at the tap are on



Cont;



J-Hooks

• In some instances, a J-hook may be substituted for a spanclamp. This is

permissible when your drop is connected to the standardterminating pole, which is the lastpole on the strand.

•

Attach the J-hook at the same height as the strand on the side of the pole that

faces the customer’s house with the open side of the hoopfacing up. A J-hook may also be used to gain proper clearanceabove the ground over an obstacle on the ground as long as

minimum separation is between the attachment and overheadlines.

• Use J-hooks to maintain clearance or at a dead-end pole or onservice poles. P-hooks (house hooks) should NOT be used inplace of J-hooks on poles.



Connecting the Messenger

• Aerial cable has an attached messenger wire to providesupport.

• This messenger must be separated from the cable to makethe connection to the span clamp.

•

Carefully separate the messenger from the cable. Becareful to protect the coaxial vinyl jacket so that no braid isshowing. If any braid is exposed, the cable will need to bereplaced.

• Attach the drop messenger to the span clamp using a drop

hanger.• Never place the span clamp over or on the messenger or

lasing wire. Never loosen the lashing wire or the lashingwire clamp to attach the span clamp. If the lashing wire isdamaged, the cable could pull away from the strand.



Separating the Messenger



Drop Hanger

Connect the Drop



Connect the Drop• Remove the locking terminator, if installed, from an available tap port.

• Use your meter to measure signal levels at the tap before connecting the drop, asrequired by your company. If used by your company, spray the tap port lightly

with LPS spray or other approved protectant. Be careful not to get any lubricantinside the tap port or inside the F-connector, especially on the center conductor.

The use of some type of lubricant is recommended. Your company will provide youwith guidelines based upon your company’s environment (such as salt water) andthe tap port material used.

• Determine the length of drop cable necessary to reach the tap port, plus extra

length to form about a one to two foot surplus loop and a drip loop not smallerthan five inches. Attach the cable to the strand and hardline cable with tie wraps.Do not over tighten the cable ties, as this can damage the shielding and/or change

the cable’s impedance.

• Prepare the drop cable to attach an F-connector. Install any traps, and a securitysleeve if your company requires it.

•

While you are at the tap, perform a quick inspection of all the other drops at thetap. Check for any cable damage. Repair or report anything found that is notwithin your company’s specifications. This might repair, and thus eliminate, afuture problem, even before a customer notices it.

• To avoid signal leakage, always tighten all F-connectors to manufacturer’sspecifications.

Loose F-connectors are a frequent reason for service calls, as a loose connectionmay cause signal problems that inhibit the delivery of services such as telephony

-



Drop Identification (“Drop Tags in

PG”)• Place a permanent address or drop tag on the drop cable atthe drip loop to identify the address of the installation.

• Install a separate service level tag to identify the active

drop and remove the disconnect tag as required. Yourcompany may use color-coded tags.

• Traps may also be tagged to indicate service.

• The purpose of these service tags is to allow you to auditservices by checking the tap without calling your office.



Drop IdentificationGuidelines for Drop Tags:• Active drop must be identified

• Address must be identified

• Traps must be identified to

indicate service(typically by color code)



Mid-Span Drops

• Mid-span attachments are used to avoid aerial trespass orother obstacles such as buildings, trees, and swimmingpools. A mid-span drop consists of an attachment of thedrop cable to the cable strand at or near the midpoint of the span of hard-line cable instead of at the pole. When

drops are attached at mid-span, you will use two spanclamps: one at the tap, and the second at the mid-spanpoint. By using a tree guard under the span clamp, you canprotect the coaxial cable from wear.



Mid-Span Drop Details



Cont;• The technician faces hazardous conditions when installing or

disconnecting drops at mid-span. Check the strength of the strandbefore climbing the ladder to make sure it will hold your weight. To test the strand, place a hand line over the strand, and put yourweight on it. When putting your ladder against the strand, makesure both hooks are over the strand. Follow proper ladder slope.

• Pull the drop cable up the ladder using a breakaway clip. Followyour company’s safety guidelines carefully. Always survey thedrop before you attempt to climb; use safe climbing techniqueswhen ascending the ladder. Use your safety strap to secureyourself and the ladder to the strand when you reach your workingheight. Belt-off properly to protect against a fall.

•

Always attach the cable to the house last during a mid-spaninstallation. Start working at the tap. Place your first span clampat the proper location near the tap but instead of routing the cabledirectly to the house, route it along the strand, toward the locationof the mid-span attachment. Leave a drip loop of five inches ateach clamp. Determine where you will make the mid-span

connection and place your ladder near that point. Your laddermust be ositioned so that it is facin the customer’s house and



Cont;

• Attach the second span clamp at the mid-span location. When youattach the span clamp at mid-span, make sure that it faces thecustomer’s house.

• Separate the messenger from the drop cable for approximately two tothree feet past the mid-span clamp (toward the house). Cut the

messenger such that you can make attachment to the span clamp aspreviously described for both ends of the messenger. Form theseparated cable into a loop with an approximate 6 to 12 inch diameter.

From the tap to the span clamp, the drop should not sag more than 2inches below the strand.

• Once you have checked the drop for the proper amount of sag, you areready to attach the drop to the house. Be careful to avoid pulling thestrand out of line more than one foot from center line. Maintainingproper sag in the drop should prevent this.



Cont;



Mid-span Safety Guidelines

• Attach cable TO HOUSE LAST during an installation

• UNHOOK CABLE FROM HOUSE FIRST when removing a mid-spanned drop

Mid-Span ConnectionGuidelines

Avoid;

• Clamping span clamp over lashing wire; it could weaken or breakthe lashing wire

• Crossing the pole face

• Cable sag more than 2 inches below the strand between the tapand the mid-span clamp.

• Splicing the drop mid-span

• Use tree guard under the span clamp to protect the cable from



Mid-Span Ladder Guideline

• Be sure both ladder hooks are over the strand

• Secure yourself and the ladder to the strand with the safetystrap (“belt off”)

• Avoid pulling the strand out of line more than one foot from

the center line when attaching drop between house andmid-span clamp

• Be aware of power line locations. If power is touching thestrand or too close to your work area, do not climb.

• Place ladder on the appropriate side of the strand.



Cable Sag for Span Length

• It is necessary to maintain the specified drop clearances all alongthe cable route. The sag for the span length of customer dropsshould be approximately 6 inches per 50 feet but should beconsistent with the sag of the other service drops, as

long as they are not causing interference.

• The installation of drop cable must comply with national,company, and local codes.

• Cable is located above telephone and below power lines on thepoles. Clearances at the pole are 12 inches from telephone cable

and typically 40 to 48 inches from power. At the house, you willmaintain a minimum clearance of 6 inches from the

telephone wires and 12 inches from the power lines.



Drop Clearances TableLOCATION CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT

Road, street, nonresidential driveway, parking lot, anyarea subject to truck traffic

16 feet per code, 18 feet in practice

Residential driveways (not accessible to trucks) 12 feet per code, 16 feet in practice

Pedestrian traffic 10 feet

Track rail of railroad 23.5 feet

Water (no sailboats) 14 feet

Flat roof buildings (garage is exempt) 8 feet

Peak roof buildings (if roof has a slope not less than fourinches in 12 inches; no pedestrians)

3 feet

Roof overhang (if over the roof overhang is not morethan four feet)

18 inches

Lightning rod conductors 6 feetSigns, chimneys, billboard, radio and TV antennas 3 feet

Power service wire

Pole

House

Joint trench

40 inches

12 inches

12 inches

Telephone service

Pole

House

12 inches

6 inches



Street Crossings

• Special hazards are created when installing the aerial drop acrossa street. Call for a second technician to assist you.

• Alert on-coming traffic and direct it away from your work areas asnecessary. Place cones, turn on vehicle flasher or beacon, andplace “Work Ahead” signs. Do not allow the cable to be run over

by vehicles, as this would damage it and change its impedance.Continue with the following street crossing procedures:

Connection has already been made at the house

Technician one prepares to climb

Technician two stops traffic and spools off enough cable to reach

the pole Technician one pulls up cable and attaches it to the pole

• Your company will supply additional guidelines for streetcrossings, as needed.

• Do not tie the drop off to your belt. Instead, use a handline clipdesigned for this purpose. If the cable snags on something whileyou are climbing, it, not you, will fall to the ground.



Exterior House Wiring HouseAttachment

• Plan to locate the house attachment in an area that is on the sameside of the house as the power line. This should give you anunobstructed run from the pole and allow you access to the bondlocation.

• Place the house attachment near the electrical service/meter basefor an accessible bonding point. Ensure that the attachment pointwill provide a straight, vertical run to the ground block. If theattachment point doesn’t allow a straight run, you may have toroute the cable from the house attachment to a point accessible tothe grounding block.

• Maintain proper clearance and avoid obstacles such as down guys,power lines, playgrounds, driveways, trees, swimming pools andtrampolines. Call your supervisor for guidance in suchcircumstances, if necessary. Do not place drops above tenniscourts, trampolines, or swimming pools. Avoid any water crossing,if possible.



Attaching the P-Hook

• Install the P-hook (also called a house hook) at theproposed contact point. The primary contact point is onelocated near the power contact point, following a similarpath from the pole. The cable line should run vertically fromthe P-hook to the bond (or ground) block. Attach the P-hook

to a substantial point on the house, preferably a wood-framing member. Install the P-hook in-line with the spanclamp.

• The preferred mounting point of the P-hook is the lower endof the fascia board, just below the rain gutter. Look forevidence of nails that are securing the fascia board to thehouse frame, or knock to listen for a solid sound at theproposed contact point. Tap the P-hook with a hammer toget it started. Screw it in until no threads show. The P-hook

may have to safely hold up to 50 pounds of pull. Take time



House Hook (P-Hook)

Attachment



Attaching the Cable

• Take care not to route the cable in such a way that it could rubagainst a house, garage, or tree when it moves in the wind.Continuous friction over a period of time can damage the jacket or braid of the cable. Loss of signal quality is theinevitable result of damaged cable, as water can enter the

cable when the jacket or braid of the cable becomes worn andingress and egress is a problem when the braid is damaged.

• Attach the messenger drop cable to the P-hook in a similarmanner as the pole. Separate the messenger from the cable,allowing enough messenger to attach the drop to the house

with a drop hanger or messenger wrap. Form a minimum 5-inch drip loop in the cable. Route the cable under the eaves tothe side of the house and down to the ground block. Cut anddiscard the excess messenger.

• No more than one messengered drop shall be attached to a P-

hook, except in multi-dwelling installations (MDUs).



Clips and Fasteners

• Secure the drop cable using clips that are approved for the type of siding on the house. Follow the lines of the house to keep thewiring neat.

• Various types of fasteners are available for attaching coaxial cableto different sidings. Place cable clips as required on horizontal

runs approximately 18 to 24 inches apart and on vertical cableruns approximately 24 to 36 inches apart.



Thank You.

Prepared By Quality Assurance &Training Unit.

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