Fibre Optic Training Completion Report By Noah Olela Abong'o & Fredrick B. Mwashigadi

FIBRE OPTICS CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP COMPLETION REPORT

FIBRE OPTIC WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY M/S UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES LTD AT

BOUNTY HOTEL SOUTH B NAIROBI WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY 1

FIBRE OPTIC &

SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING

TRAINING REPORT

PHASE ONE:

KPA STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING ON FIBRE OPTIC SYSTEMS

INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING

31ST

MARCH 11TH APRIL 2014

AUTHORS:

NOAH OLELA ABONGO C/NO: 90961

FREDRICK MWASHIGADI: C/NO: 562830




TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3

1.0 TRAINING SUMMARY 4

2.0 TRAINING APPROACH 4

2.1 TRAINING AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 5

2.2 TRAINING MATERIALS 5

2.3 METHODOLOGY 5

2.4 CERTIFICATION 6

2.5 FACILITATORS 8

2.6 PARTICIPANTS 9

3.0 TRAINING EVALUATION 9

4.0 POST WORKSHOP ASSESSMENT 9

5.0 COMPETENCE OF PARTICIPANTS 11

6.0 FUTURE TRAINING 12

7.0 FOLLOW-UP OF TRAINEES 13

8.0 CONCLUSION 14

9.0 ANNEXES 15

9.1 ANNEX A 15

9.2 ANNEX B 16

9.3 ANNEX C 17

9.4 ANNEX D 19

9.5 ANNEX E 20

9.6 TRAINING NOMINATION LETTER (MPE/3/1/04/TC) 21




ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our sincere and deepest gratitude to Kenya Ports

Authority Management and Human Resource Department Training Section for

according us this rare opportunity to have a meaningful and fruitful Fibre Optic

Systems and Troubleshooting training period. We would also like to take this

earliest opportunity to thank our colleagues at the Authority for an amazing

working environment at Marine Engineering Department (Dockyard). Our fellow

colleagues, you have always treated us like one of your own and we are really

appreciative. Special thanks go to the Ag. Electrical Superintendent, Mr. Erick O.

Onyango, who worked tirelessly during our absence to ensure that all our floating

crafts were electrically sound, available and reliable for shipping operations.

We also wish to thank all the persons and institutions that contributed in the

many ways to the preparation of this report. The shared technical knowledge,

experiences, and perspectives have produced a tool that will have a significant

positive impact on the capability of engineering maintenance personnel in the

Kenya Ports Authority to sufficiently handle fibre optic systems and equipment.

Mr. Rashid K. Salim, Ag. Head of Marine Engineering Department thanks so much

for your deep marine engineering insight, valuable technical guidance and for

having trusted us on all the projects / responsibilities/ training you assigned to us

in the course of discharging our daily duties and responsibilities. We owe you a lot

in terms of marine engineering experience and expertise.

Mr. Stephen M. Toya, Principal Marine Engineer Dockyard and our immediate

Supervisor, kindly accept our heartfelt gratitude for your continuous support,

encouragement and help which greatly continues to contribute to our daily success

in each given endeavour.




1.0 TRAINING SUMMARY

This Report provides an overview of progress made and any constraints relating to

the Capacity Building Training of the Stage 1 Fibre Optics Workshop held under M/S

Universal Technology Associates in Nairobi Bounty Hotel, South B between the 31st March 2014 and 11

th April 2014.

2.0 TRAINING APPROACH

2.1 TRAINING AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the Fibre Optic Network and System Troubleshooting Workshop was to

provide participants with skills and competencies that will enable them appreciate,

understand and confidently be engaged in maintenance networks involving fibre

optic cables, components, equipment, systems and installations.

The objective of the Workshop was that participants will acquire knowledge, skills

and attitudes necessary to sufficiently handle systems embracing fibre optic

technology with much ease.

The anticipated outcome of the Workshop was that at the conclusion of the

workshop participants should be reasonably able to:

Apply safe working practices in communication systems Appreciate the theory of telecommunications through optical fibre Understand the key symbols used and SI units of measurements used Prepare coated fibre for connection and splicing. Complete a Risk Assessment prior to installation of optical fibres in an internal

environment

Prepare bare fibre for splicing using correct techniques and procedures. Work safely with optical fibres in an external environment Complete a Risk Assessment prior to installation of optical fibres in an external

environment

Follow recommended installation procedures Prepare fibre optic cable for fibre splicing Join fibre optic cables by splicing Terminate fibre optic cable by splicing on pre-terminated pigtails Test fibre optic links Work safely when installing, splicing, terminating and testing optical fibre in an

external network

Check cable and components before installation Check that correct cable laying procedures are followed to avoid physical

damage to the optical fibre cables (OFC)

Test fibre continuity using a visible light source Measure the insertion loss using an infra-red light source and power meter Test link performance using (OTDR) Optical Time Domain

Reflectometer techniques.




2.2 TRAINING MATERIALS

The Six (6No.) participants received a box file at the beginning of the Workshop that

was to be used to file the hard copy training materials. Throughout the workshop

participants received many handouts including power points printouts, case studies,

checklists, assessment tasks and group exercises.

Participants were also given writing materials so they could build a folder of

resources. Electronic copies of these materials plus any PowerPoint presentations were

also made available to participants.

An electronic copy of all training materials was finally provided all the participants

2.3 METHODOLOGY

A range of teaching methodologies were employed by the Facilitators throughout the

two weeks (14 days) Workshop. They included presentations to explain new

information and ideas; plenary discussions to obtain participants views and opinions;

group activities to enable participants to work with one another; demonstrations and

case studies for deeper understanding of the taught concepts and principles.

Teaching methods took into account the special needs of participants including their

ability to understand difficult concepts and the desire to engage participants in a

rewarding learning experience. All materials and examples were customized to the

Kenya Ports Authority Equipment Maintenance context.

2.4 CERTIFICATION

At the conclusion of the Workshop each participant received a Certificate of

Attendance. This certificate indicates that the participant has completed the basic Fiber

Optic and System Troubleshooting training and can now appreciate fibre optic

networks and installations. It also signifies that these participants are now ready for

any advanced training in Fibre Optics Networks and Installations Course which may

lead to professional certification upon successful completion. Participants had received

information regarding certification and the importance of full time attendance before

the commencement of the Workshop.




2.5 FACILITATORS

The participants were taken through the Fibre Optics and System Troubleshooting

Workshop with the help of the following experienced facilitators:

1. Mr. Chrisantus Agapitius Wafula

Holder of high Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, long time

lecturer and experienced technical trainer, examiner and Assessor in subjects

associated with Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) syllabus.

He has been a lecturer in many major Technical Institution including KCCT,

Kabete Technical, Railway Training Institute (RTTI).

He is an experienced technical trainer in telecommunication engineering

with over 15 years in research, planning and implementation and has

trained extensively in new technologies in telecommunication both in

Kenya and overseas.

He has been extensively involved in curriculum development and training

in telecommunication new technologies.

He is currently a member of Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) and

Engineers Registration Board (ERB).

He is also involved in consultancy service and training in

telecommunications engineering on outside planet technologies and

facilities specifically optical fibre technologies.




2. Mr. Laxton Mudamba

He is currently the CEO/Industrial Management consultant at M.I.T

Associates. MIT is a training and consulting professional firm focusing on

industrial training and lean sigma deployment in the manufacturing sector

within the East African region

He is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, a certified lean manufacturing

practitioner, and also a certified trainer/program Leader in Analytic

Trouble-Shooting rational processes developed by Kepner-Tregoe

Associates Inc., USA. Mr. Laxton Mudamba successfully completed his

professional training in Analytic Trouble-Shooting processes in Nyon-

Switzerland.

He has over 25 years industrial experience in diverse manufacturing systems

and specializing in process troubleshooting, cost optimization, process

quality improvements and lean manufacturing deployment.

Prior to going into private practice, he worked for Eveready Batteries-

Nakuru plant. Eveready is a large multi-national manufacturing plant based

in Nakuru-Kenya. It was at Eveready that he gained extensive industrial

experience both locally and internationally specifically within Asia-Pacific

region where Eveready had affiliated manufacturing.

He was instrumental in the installation of Computerized Maintenance

Management Systems (CMMS) at the Nakuru-facility.

He trained the entire technical workforce in Analytic Trouble-Shooting

techniques and was recognized by Kepner-Tregoe Inc. USA with an award

of Process Excellence.

Subsequently, he and his process team, was featured in the prestigious

World Class Maintenance Newsline for successfully implementing ATS

program with documented cost savings.




3. Mr. Benedict Nabangi

He specializes in fibre optics installations to the home, office and buildings.

He works at the Department of ICT and Media Services of M/S Universal

Technology Associates Limited.

He is currently the Systems Administrator at Universal Technology

Associates Limited.

He was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all logistics related

to the Fibre Optic and System Troubleshooting Workshop at Bounty Hotel,

South B Nairobi was in place.

2.6 PARTICIPANTS

There were a total of six (6No.) participants; all having the prerequisite electrical

principles and knowledge to enable them appreciate the entire Fibre Optic

Systems and Troubleshooting course content. The participating staffs were drawn

from Kenya Ports Authority Engineering and Infrastructure Divisions as tabulated

below:

No.

Name

Check No.

Designation

Department

1. Noah O. Abongo 90961 Senior Marine

Engineer

(E & E)

Marine Engineering

2. Fredrick Mwashigadi 562830 Technician

Electrical

Marine Engineering

3. Bernard Bedie 88989 Batteries

Superintendent

Conventional Cargo

Engineering

4. Lazaro Oriaso 91022 Technician

Electrical

Terminal Engineering

5. Dishon Kayanda 90545 Senior

Technician

Terminal Engineering

6. George Osanya 90970 Electrical

Engineer

Port Electrical Engineering




3.0 TRAINING EVALUATION

At the beginning of the Workshop participants were asked to rate their level of

knowledge and skills regarding designing and delivering training programs. In

addition, they were asked a series of questions regarding their understanding of

certain content relating to designing and delivering a training program.

4.0 POST WORKSHOP ASSESSMENT

At the conclusion of the Workshop participants were engaged on a plenary

discussions concerning the entire programme. Most participants were of the opinion

that the course was timely given that the copper cables as an option for network

connectivity were fast being phased out.

Participants unanimously agreed on the advantages of employing fibre optic as

opposed to the traditional copper cables for both LANs and WANs communications.

Fibre optic cable, according to the research done in telecommunication field, is one of

the fastest-growing transmission mediums for both new cabling installations and

upgrades, including backbone, horizontal, and even desktop applications. Fiber offers

a number of advantages over copper.

1. Greater bandwidth

Fibre provides far greater bandwidth than copper and has standardized performance

up to 10 Gigabytes. While not currently a standard, these speeds could become a

reality in future proposals and ratifications. Keep in mind that fiber speeds are

dependent on the type of cable used. Single-mode cable offers far greater distance

than either 62.5- or 50-micron multimode cable. In addition, fiber optic cable can

carry more information with greater fidelity than copper wire. Thats why telephone and CATV companies are converting to fiber.

2. Low attenuation and greater distance.

Because the fibre optic signal is made of light, very little signal loss occurs during

transmission, and data can move at higher speeds and greater distances. Fiber does

not have the 100-meter (9328-ft.) distance limitation of unshielded twisted pair

copper (without a booster). Fiber distances can range from 300 meters (984.2 ft.) to

40 kilometers (24.8 mi.), depending on the style of cable, wavelength, and network.

Because fiber signals need less boosting than copper ones do, the cable performs

better.




3. Security

Your data is safe with fibre cable. It doesnt radiate signals and is extremely difficult to tap. If the cable is tapped, its very easy to monitor because the cable leaks light, causing the entire system to fail. If an attempt is made to break the physical security

of your fiber system, youll know it.

Fiber networks also enable you to put all your electronics and hardware in one

central location, instead of having wiring closets with equipment throughout the

building.

4. Immunity and reliability

Fibre provides extremely reliable data transmission. Its completely immune to many environmental factors that affect copper cable. The core is made of glass, which is an

insulator, so no electric current can flow through. Its immune to electrometric interference and radio-frequency interference (EM/RFI), crosstalk, impedance

problems, and more. You can run fiber cable next to industrial equipment without

worry. Fibre is also less susceptible to temperature fluctuations than copper and can

be submerged in water.

5. Design

Fibre is lightweight, thin, and more durable than copper cable. Plus, fibre optic cable

has pulling specifications that are up to 10 times greater than copper cables. Its small size makes it easier to handle, and it takes up much less space in cabling ducts.

Although fibre is still more difficult to terminate than copper, advancements in

connectors are making termination easier. In addition, fibre is actually easier to test

than copper cable.

6. Migration

The proliferation and lower costs of media converters are making copper to fibre

migration much easier. The converters provide seamless links and enable the use of

existing hardware. Fibre can be incorporated into network in planned upgrades.

7. Standards

TIA/EIA-785, ratified in 2001, provides a cost-effective migration path from 10-Mbps

Ethernet to 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet over fibre (100BASE-SX). An addendum to the

standard eliminates limitations in transceiver designs. In addition, in June 2002, the

IEEE approved a 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) standard.




8. Cost

The cost for fibre cable, components, and hardware is steadily decreasing. Installation

costs for fibre are higher than copper because of the skill needed for terminations.

Overall, fibre is more expensive than copper in the short run, but it may actually be

less expensive in the long run. Fibre typically costs less to maintain, has less much less

downtime, and requires less networking hardware. In addition, fibre eliminates the

need to recable for higher network performance.

5.0 COMPETENCE OF PARTICIPANTS

Engineers / Technicians are necessary for Nations economies, and for the design, development and maintenance of infrastructure and technology to sustainably satisfy

communities needs and lifestyles. These authors take the viewpoint that engineering trainers have a responsibility to society and to engineering students to develop in

trainees the competencies that graduates will need to become established Engineers /

Technicians.

These competencies are defined as those that are important across all areas of

engineering, and facilitate the success of engineers and technicians as individuals doing

their jobs well. This report presents the following identified competency items as

critical to the successful completion of these hands-on courses as perceived by

established Engineers.

No. Competency Description of Competency

1. Written Communication Communicating clearly and concisely in writing ( e.g.

writing technical documents, instructions, specifications)

2. Teamwork Working in teams (e.g. working in a manner that is

consistent with working in a team / trusting and respecting

other team members/ managing conflict/ building cohesion)

3. Problem-Solving Solving problems ( e.g. defining systems problems,

analyzing problems, interpreting information, transferring

concepts, integrating disciplines, thinking conceptually,

evaluating alternatives, balancing trade-offs)

4. Decision-making Making strategic decisions within given time frame and

knowledge constraints.




5. Being Practical Demonstrating practical engineering knowledge and skills

and familiarity with techniques, tools, materials, devices

and systems in your discipline of engineering (e.g. ability to

recognize unrealistic results)

6. Critical thinking Thinking critically to identify potential problem areas and

possibilities for systems improvements / modifications

7. Reliability Evaluating reliability / potential failures

8. Safety Evaluating / advocating for / improving health and safety

issues while dealing with fibre optic equipment and

installations.

9. Managing Managing (e.g. projects / programs / contracts / people

/strategic planning/performance/change)

6.0 FUTURE TRAINING

A further Advanced Capacity Building Workshop on Fiber Optics Maintenance

Engineer / Technician Certification needs to be planned for in the new financial year.

Participants should be selected for this training only if they have attended the basic

Fibre Optic Network and System Troubleshooting Programme. This Workshop ought

to comprise 40% theory, 30% Class practical and 30% Field Work Attachment. In

the event that this suggestion is adopted, then the training will be more practical and

result-oriented and therefore will, without doubt, achieve the intended objective of

having competent fibre optics Engineers /Technicians within the Engineering Division.

It is also important that Maintenance Engineers /Technicians receive regular training

not only to maintain their skills and knowledge but to acquire new skills and latest

but cost effective technologies of carrying out their maintenance activities. Thought

should be given to conducting both the refresher and professional certification

training on a regular basis. There are a number of certified trainers within the country

and even abroad who obtained their certification many years ago and have only

remain relevant by regular training and exposure to new technologies, given the

dynamism within the engineering field. A case in point is Ghana and South Africa

whose transport, maritime and manufacturing industries are thriving.




In order for any Engineer / Technician to legally carry out any Fiber Optic System

Troubleshooting, Service, Repairs or general maintenance, they have to be Certified

Fiber Optics Technicians and be registered by the Communications Commission of

Kenya (CCK). Currently, there are various Firms which offer the Fibre Optics Systems

Installation and Maintenance certification courses within Nairobi Kenya. Among the

leading firms are:-

1. African Advanced Level Communication Institute.

2. African Development Resource Center.

3. Ryson Communication Group Ltd.

All these reputable firms offer three main Certification Levels.

Level 1 Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)

Level 2 Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT).

Level 3 Certified Fiber Optics Specialist Plant Cabling (CFOS/O).

These Institutions have highly trained and qualified certified Fiber Optics Instructors

who jointly with the Fiber optics association (F.O.A) accredit Engineers / Technicians

for certifications (CFOS/I).

7.0 FOLLOW-UP OF TRAINEES

Confidence in engineering or maintenance work can only be gained by regular

practical experiences and hands-on approach. To this end participants must be

supported and encouraged to regularly get involved in fibre optics practical works

through advanced on-the-job training or industrial attachment to firms whose daily

operations are heavily dependent on fibre optics networks installations and

maintenance or system upgrading.

The lead facilitator promised to email participants regularly to ascertain how much

fibre optics activities they are getting involved in since their attendance at this

Workshop. He again volunteered to answer any queries which may arise in the

course of participants working on fibre optics networks, equipment, systems or

installations.




8.0 CONCLUSION

The Workshop has enabled all participants to master the techniques involved in

trouble shooting and maintenance of Fiber Optic Systems by means of specialized equipment like OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer). The

participants also learned the Fibre Optic System Power Measurements and

Installation Techniques using special cleaning kits and splicing procedures. (This is

the preparation and joining of the fiber cables together with special tool which

fuses the fiber together by application of high temperature fusion). This has

enabled us to be hands on experts in the fiber optic field. However there is need

for the procurement of the special equipment and tools used for the maintenance

and trouble shooting of the fiber optic systems. Above all, nearly all the modern

equipment which are currently used to maintain fibre optic networks, were shown

and their usage demonstrated. Some of these equipment are:

1. High precision Fibre Cleaver Machine

2. Fibre Optic Fusion Splicer Machine

3. Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

4. Optic Fibre Power Meter

5. Fibre Optic Fusion Splicing Tool Kit (Toolbox)

6. Handheld Fiber Optic Microscope among others

The Workshop was very successful as everything went according to schedule.

All participants significantly increased their level of knowledge and skills as

Maintenance Engineers/ Technicians and felt much more confident with fibre cable

installations networks than before. They now possess the necessary knowledge,

skills and attitude to appreciate and work on the optic fibre networks and systems.

Each participant was able to carry out fibre optic cable splicing, cleaving and even

connecting (applying optical fibre cable fusion method) using the splicing machine

that was provided.

Finally, we are hopeful that this specialized training will not be a one off affair but an ongoing concern which will eventually culminate in future advanced and

focused training programs to ensure that the Authority reaps maximally on the

investment made on its Engineering Maintenance Team as far as implementation

of Fibre Optics Systems, Networks and Installations are concerned. On their part,

it is hoped that the concerned Engineers / Technicians will avail themselves for this

noble duty to ensure that maintenance costs within the entire Authority are

brought to a record minimum with cost effective designs, systems modifications, maintenance and faster but efficient troubleshooting techniques.

Once again we offer our heartfelt appreciation to the Kenya Ports Authority

Management and the concerned Departments for giving us the opportunity to

attend this timely workshop.




9.0 ANNEXES

9.1 ANNEX A THE STRUCTURE OF FIBRE OPTIC CABLE

An optical fiber is a long thin strand of impurity-free glass used as a transport

medium for data.

A typical point-to-point fiber optic communication network consists of a

Transmitter (Laser), a Transport medium (Optical Fiber) and a Receiver (Photo-

diode)

The optical fiber is made of two concentric cylinder strands of silica

surrounded by a plastic coating.

The center most silica strand is the cone of the fiber with a refractive index of

about 1.48. The core of the fiber physically transports most of the optical

power.

The core is surrounded by another strand of silica called the cladding. The

cladding has a slightly lower refractive index of 1.46 and provides the interface

that confines the optical signal to the core.

The outermost layer of the optical fiber is the buffer coating. This thin plastic

covering protects glass from mechanical and environmental damage.




9.2 ANNEX B FIBRE OPTICS SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Fiber optic networks are very susceptible to environmental influences.

Contamination and mechanical stress arising from improper handling of fiber

cables and connectors can harm the transmission properties enormously.

Therefore, operators of optical transmission in carrier, enterprise or data center

environments need to pay special attention to the proper maintenance of the

optical layer.




9.3 ANNEX C FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS

Connectors are everywhere within engineering systems . An electrical connector is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a

mechanical assembly. Connectors consist of plugs (male-ended) and jacks (female-

ended). The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, require a

tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between

two wires or devices. An adapter can be used to effectively bring together

dissimilar connectors.

There are hundreds of types of electrical connectors. Connectors may join two

lengths of flexible copper wire or cable, or connect a wire or cable or optical

interface to an electrical terminal.

Fiber connector contamination is the #1 cause of troubleshooting in optical networks

Proactive inspection prevents equipment damage, network outages, time-consuming troubleshooting

Follow the simple INSPECT BEFORE YOU CONNECT process to ensure both fiber end faces are clean prior to mating connectors.




FOCUS ON THE FIBRE OPTIC CABLES CONNECTORS




9.4 ANNEX D POINT TO POINT COMMUNICATION NETWORK




9.5 ANNEX E FIBRE OPTIC CABLE CONSTRUCTION

Typically there are five elements that make up each fiber-optic cable:

Core

Cladding

Buffer

Strength material (Aramid Yarn)

Outer jacket

Optical Fiber is available in two types:

1. Single Mode Fiber, consisting of a single core strand having a single transmission path,

provides very high data transmission rates over long distances, but is costly. This type

of cable is used for long-distance telecommunications and video application.

2. Multi-Mode Fiber, consisting of multiple core strands, provides multiple signal paths

which result in some distortion of the signal and is therefore restricted to shorter

lengths, but is more economical. This is the type of cable commonly used in SCADA

system and data processing networks.




9.6 TRAINING NOMINATION LETTER (MPE/3/1/04/TC)

Documents

Fibre Optic Training Completion Report By Noah Olela Abong'o & Fredrick B. Mwashigadi