Installation, Cabling, and Fiber Optics
Core concepts
Know copper and fiber media and where each is appropriate. For copper, understand twisted pair categories, shielding, characteristic impedance, and separation from power wiring to reduce interference. For fiber, distinguish single-mode from multimode, know typical core sizes and wavelength windows, and understand connector types (SC, LC, ST) and polish styles. Recognize bend radius limits, pulling tension, and the need for strain relief and proper dressing. Understand termination and testing: continuity, wire map, length, and attenuation for copper; insertion loss and cleanliness for fiber. Know that fiber is immune to EMI but sensitive to contamination and tight bends.
Traps
Questions test minimum bend radius (fiber tolerates far less bending than many assume), single-mode versus multimode distance expectations, and connector mating (LC versus SC). Another trap is assuming fiber carries power or is affected by electrical noise. Watch for items about mixing polish types or leaving connectors uncapped.
Worked example
A run requires high bandwidth over several kilometers in a campus backbone. Multimode is typically limited to shorter distances, so single-mode fiber with LC connectors and a clean, inspected endface is the appropriate choice. Rule of thumb: never exceed the manufacturer's bend radius, keep fiber endfaces capped and cleaned before mating, and always inspect and test after termination rather than assuming a good connection.