atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Copper spice training

I have been notified that I would have a new job task added to my AS-BUILT proofing , actually I thought it may be a good way to learn all aspects of Telecom, working backwards though, I am looking for any type of training material to help me, as I will be learning while working, I am an office geek, very quick learner, and hate to go out looking totally stupid, they do know I have no Splicing experience, somebody help.

First learn the color code, know it like your own name. There are many kinds of aerial and buried splice closures, as well as pedistals. There is no way you're going learn much about splicing until you have hands on.

Color code and learn cable count, you'll be ahead of the game when you start.

thanks for that, I do media review (look at pics) I know the color code, bonding/grounding, you know the F2, but I would like to get some other type of material to read up on or dvd,online training, just to be aware of what they are going to show me, any suggestions?
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Google "ABC Training". Also contact your local IBEW apprentice school. While you may not qualify, they usually know where to get the resources.

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You need to ask a couple of serious questions first. Namely:

What sort of Copper Splicing will I be doing? What sort of equipment & tools will I be working with?

For example:

Inside wiring only? Or Outside Wiring too? If it's Outside Plant is it Aerial? Burial? Both? Manholes? Is Pole climbing required? How about using a bucket truck? If you're going up a pole with a ladder it's not just about leaning a ladder on the side of the pole. There are a LOT of Safety issues with OSP (Outside Plant) work. Being dead or crippled should not be part of your job description.

What sort of tools & splice connectors will you be working with? B-Connectors? Scotch UR/UG/UY etc connectors? Picabond? 3M MS/2?

Many of these are specialty items that require real training to be successful

Ask some questions, let us know the answers and we'll see what we can do to help.

Sam

I suggest that you get a copy of as many (former) Bell System technician handbooks as you can. Check Ebay. There are ones for OSP, splicing, line work, maintenance, etc. Reading them will not be the same as hands-on training, of course, but will let you see the big picture, and help with the terminology.

Splicing installation, called CXM (for Construction, Removal, and Moves) is not the same as splicing maintenance, which is trouble-shooting, just like in an office, but in a much bigger way.

I suspect that you will be involved sooner or later in fiber splicing, since copper is on the way out as a medium of transmission. There are classes that teach fiber splicing.

ABC's are very good books, however all the books in the world cant teach you how to splice. If you have any old heads in your organization hit them up and throw yourself at their mercy. You would be well advised to just offer to grunt for them for a while when you can and just watch and learn. Just please find one that does good work and learn from them!
Bill hit it on the head, color codes (Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate...White, Red, Black, Yellow, Violet (why run backwards you varmint)). And work on your multiplication skills for pair counts. Splicing is a vastly different world from punching down a jack and plugging in a fluke tester...and be prepared to buy or beg for some tools there are some very very strange and archaic looking devices out there!