Jim Hayes

2 weeks ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Jim Hayes

Workmanship in aerial cable networks can affect the performance and reliability of the network, of course, but it can also make or break the aesthetics of the visible aerial cable plant. Aerial cables should be installed “in a neat and workmanlike manner,” which can be interpreted as “what is correctly done also looks good.” Discussions with the Fiber Optic Association’s (FOA) worldwide network of technical advisers has helped create some guidelines for aerial installations.

2 weeks ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Jim Hayes

A contractor recently called me to help him out of a troublesome situation. He was working at a service provider on a fiber-to-the-home project, testing the optical power at the head end, splitters and subscriber. When measuring the optical power at one location, his power meter indicated +1.1 decibel-milliwatts (dBm), but a tech from another company measured –14.7. He wanted to know what was going on.

2 weeks ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Jim Hayes

Calibration means that an instrument has been tested against a standard and set up to make measurements traceable to that standard. Within the limits of instrument and measurement uncertainty, your instrument should measure with the same value as the standard and every other instrument calibrated to that standard. Fiber optic power meters measure optical power and convert the measurement to decibels (dB).

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Jim Hayes

May is becoming the month for covering natural disasters in this column. Last year, as I began writing, an earthquake gave the office a good shaking. Later in the article I mentioned recent rainstorms creating flooding. Then I said the wildfire season here in California would be starting in six months. Little did I know. On Jan. 7, 2025, the notorious Santa Ana Winds hit the Los Angeles area. These desert winds bring hot, dry air to coastal areas.