How about Certification?

That's what the FOA is all about. We have hundreds of FOA-approved schools offering FOA certifications. About 25,000 students have been certified by FOA schools (10/2008.)Around the world, FOA is recognized as the leader in fiber optic education and certification.

The adoption of any technology depends on having workable standards to insure product compatibility. Most of what we call standards are voluntary standards created by industry groups. Standards are not "codes" or actual laws that you must follow to be in compliance with local ordinances but sensible guidelines to ensure proper operation of communications systems. Standards are often developed by groups within each country, like EIA/TIA or IEEE in the US, but are increasingly becoming international under the auspices of ISO and IEC.

Standards like EIA/TIA 568 ( from the Electronic Industries Alliance/ Telecommunications Industry Association in the US) which covers all of the things you need to know to install a standard premises cabling network are good guidelines for designs and should be followed to ensure interoperability.

Primary measurement standards like for optical power measurements are set by standards organizations in each country like NIST (the US National Institute of Standards and Technology) and coordinated worldwide.

The only common "mandatory standard" in the US - we call them codes - is the NEC 770 (National Electrical Code). The NEC specifies fire prevention standards for fiber optic cables. Other countries have similar codes for building safety. If an indoor cable doesn't have a NEC rating - don't install it - it won't pass inspection!

A listing of the EIA/TIA standards is on the website of The Fiber Optic Association. Information on the EIA/TIA standards can be found on the website of most of the suppliers of structured cabling hardware.

December 1, 2011

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