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NCTI Service Technician
What are three principle characteristics that The three principle characteristics that define an AC waveform are: (1) frequency; (2)
define an AC waveform? wavelength; and (3) amplitude.
What is one of the basic principles of Grounding and bonding practices reflect the basic principle that electricity always
resistance reflected in the familiar practices follows the path of least resistance.
of grounding and bonding?
What comprises the impedance of a The impedance comprises the combined effects of a coaxial cable's or a device's
coaxial cable or a device (connector, resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
passive, etc.)?
A high-pass filter is a type of bandpass filter that passes all frequencies above a
specific frequency (e.g., 50 MHz), and eliminates common path distortions, impulse
What is a high pass filter?
noise in the return spectrum, and any other frequencies that fall below that specific
frequency.
What are the differing forward-path The feeder system in a traditional tree-and-branch architecture supplies the forward
transmission bandwidths for traditional tree- signal up to a 50-550 MHz pass band, and the distribution system in an HFC network
and-branch and HFC architectures? transmits the forward signal up to a 50-1,000 MHz pass band.
Where does the feeder system forward A tree-and-branch feeder system forward path starts at the output of the bridger
path start and end in a tree-and-branch amplifier module in the trunk/bridger amplifier station and ends at the tap port of an
design? RF tap.
Where does the distribution system forward An HFC distribution system forward path begins at the output of an RF amplifier
path begin and end in an HFC design? located in the optical node and ends at the tap port of an RF tap.
What is the purpose of a coaxial express A coaxial express cable allows a particular optical node to reach farther out in the
cable in an HFC distribution system? distribution system.
Underground cable is manufactured with a protective outer jacket covering the
How is underground cable manufactured?
aluminum sheath and flooding compound between the jacket and the sheath.
How do frequency and cable size affect The attenuation of a broadband signal increases with higher frequencies and
the attenuation of a broadband signal? decreases with larger cable size.
Splitters and directional couplers divide and route the forward RF signal transmission
What is the role of splitters and directional
throughout the distribution system, and combine return-path signals arriving from
couplers in the forward and return paths?
separate feeder runs.
AC power passes bidirectionally through the tap, but is prevented from passing
How is AC power transmitted in an RF tap?
through to the tap ports except by design in power-distributing taps.
What is the distinction between a line The distinction is a line extender, which has a single output port and a distribution
extender amplifier and a distribution amplifier, or minibridger, which has multiple output ports (typically three ports; a
amplifier? through-port and two auxiliary output ports).
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in
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Five important amplifier station components are: (1) input and output diplex filters that
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separate and combine the forward and return paths within the amplifier; (2) forward
What are five important components of an
and return plug-in pads and equalizers for controlling the input signal levels; (3) an
amplifier station?
RF amplifier module; (4) an integrated or stand-alone DC power supply with DC
current fusing; and (5) AC power direction control.
What factors define the extent of a power Cable resistance, combined amplifier load requirements, individual amplifier voltage
realm? minimums, and limits on AC current define the extent of power realms.
The three main components of a standby power supply are: (1) a ferroresonant
What are the three main components of a transformer that supplies the output voltage; (2) a set of batteries acting as a backup
typical standby power supply? power source; and (3) an AC inverter that converts the DC battery backup power to
a 60 or 90 VAC output.
What does a signal level meter (SLM) An SLM measures individual analog video and audio, and digital carrier levels.
measure?
What does a digital multimeter (DMM) A digital multimeter (or VOM) measures AC and DC voltages, resistance for continuity
measure? checks, and current.
What does a time domain reflectometer A TDR measures the presence of and distance to cable faults.
(TDR) measure?
A signal leakage detector is an RF receiver with an installed input antenna that
What does a signal leakage detector
measures broadband cable signals leaking from the system within FCC assigned
measure?
aeronautical frequency bands.
What does a combination SLM/leakage A combination SLM/leakage detector incorporates the features of both an SLM and
detector measure? a signal leakage detector.
The measurement applications include: (1) balancing amplifier (bridger, distribution,
What are measurement applications for and line extender) output levels (SLM); (2) verifying system and amplifier power
using SLMs, DMMs, TDRs, leakage supply operation (DMM); (3) identifying cut or damaged cable spans (TDR); (4)
detectors, and combination leakage identifying sources of ingress (signal leakage detector, SLM); and (5) monitoring and
detectors? measuring signal leakage (egress) for system CLI reporting (combination
SLM/leakage detector).
Begin at a location common to all known outage sites, divide the area of unknown
What is the proper troubleshooting
signal status in half, verify the signal condition, and repeat (if necessary) until the
technique?
source of the problem is found.
How can a distribution system design map A system design map is used to analyze system for the device common to the
aid the troubleshooting process, after customers so far affected before traveling to make additional signal status checks.
gathering as much information as possible
about the extent of the affected area?
Powering failures include: (1) a utility power failure; (2) a tripped utility breaker; (3)
What are six sources of outages caused by
spent standby battery power; (4) a blown distribution leg fuse; (5) a blown amplifier
powering failures?
DC power supply fuse; and (6) a cable center conductor suck-out.
The outage groups are: (1) cables cut by underground digging equipment (a
What are three groups of outage causes backhoe, a trencher, a post-hole digger, a shovel, etc); (2) aerial cable damaged by
associated with cut or damaged cables? lightning or downed power lines; and (3) downed aerial cable due to traffic
accidents or severe weather.
How often are outages caused by Outages caused by equipment failures generally occur less frequently than other
equipment failures? outage categories.
Maintaining physical plant integrity involves: (1) checking and tightening loose
What tasks are involved in maintaining
connectors, housing enclosures, and tap face plates; (2) lubricating pedestal and
physical plant integrity within the
power supply padlocks periodically during normal access; and (3) securing and
distribution system?
documenting any broken lashing wire to prevent further deterioration.
What does eliminating a discovered signal Eliminating a discovered leak averts a potential outage or trouble call.
leak accomplish?
in
rs
nu
NCTI Service Technician
What are three principle characteristics that The three principle characteristics that define an AC waveform are: (1) frequency; (2)
define an AC waveform? wavelength; and (3) amplitude.
What is one of the basic principles of Grounding and bonding practices reflect the basic principle that electricity always
resistance reflected in the familiar practices follows the path of least resistance.
of grounding and bonding?
What comprises the impedance of a The impedance comprises the combined effects of a coaxial cable's or a device's
coaxial cable or a device (connector, resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
passive, etc.)?
A high-pass filter is a type of bandpass filter that passes all frequencies above a
specific frequency (e.g., 50 MHz), and eliminates common path distortions, impulse
What is a high pass filter?
noise in the return spectrum, and any other frequencies that fall below that specific
frequency.
What are the differing forward-path The feeder system in a traditional tree-and-branch architecture supplies the forward
transmission bandwidths for traditional tree- signal up to a 50-550 MHz pass band, and the distribution system in an HFC network
and-branch and HFC architectures? transmits the forward signal up to a 50-1,000 MHz pass band.
Where does the feeder system forward A tree-and-branch feeder system forward path starts at the output of the bridger
path start and end in a tree-and-branch amplifier module in the trunk/bridger amplifier station and ends at the tap port of an
design? RF tap.
Where does the distribution system forward An HFC distribution system forward path begins at the output of an RF amplifier
path begin and end in an HFC design? located in the optical node and ends at the tap port of an RF tap.
What is the purpose of a coaxial express A coaxial express cable allows a particular optical node to reach farther out in the
cable in an HFC distribution system? distribution system.
Underground cable is manufactured with a protective outer jacket covering the
How is underground cable manufactured?
aluminum sheath and flooding compound between the jacket and the sheath.
How do frequency and cable size affect The attenuation of a broadband signal increases with higher frequencies and
the attenuation of a broadband signal? decreases with larger cable size.
Splitters and directional couplers divide and route the forward RF signal transmission
What is the role of splitters and directional
throughout the distribution system, and combine return-path signals arriving from
couplers in the forward and return paths?
separate feeder runs.
AC power passes bidirectionally through the tap, but is prevented from passing
How is AC power transmitted in an RF tap?
through to the tap ports except by design in power-distributing taps.
What is the distinction between a line The distinction is a line extender, which has a single output port and a distribution
extender amplifier and a distribution amplifier, or minibridger, which has multiple output ports (typically three ports; a
amplifier? through-port and two auxiliary output ports).
, g
in
rs
Five important amplifier station components are: (1) input and output diplex filters that
nu
separate and combine the forward and return paths within the amplifier; (2) forward
What are five important components of an
and return plug-in pads and equalizers for controlling the input signal levels; (3) an
amplifier station?
RF amplifier module; (4) an integrated or stand-alone DC power supply with DC
current fusing; and (5) AC power direction control.
What factors define the extent of a power Cable resistance, combined amplifier load requirements, individual amplifier voltage
realm? minimums, and limits on AC current define the extent of power realms.
The three main components of a standby power supply are: (1) a ferroresonant
What are the three main components of a transformer that supplies the output voltage; (2) a set of batteries acting as a backup
typical standby power supply? power source; and (3) an AC inverter that converts the DC battery backup power to
a 60 or 90 VAC output.
What does a signal level meter (SLM) An SLM measures individual analog video and audio, and digital carrier levels.
measure?
What does a digital multimeter (DMM) A digital multimeter (or VOM) measures AC and DC voltages, resistance for continuity
measure? checks, and current.
What does a time domain reflectometer A TDR measures the presence of and distance to cable faults.
(TDR) measure?
A signal leakage detector is an RF receiver with an installed input antenna that
What does a signal leakage detector
measures broadband cable signals leaking from the system within FCC assigned
measure?
aeronautical frequency bands.
What does a combination SLM/leakage A combination SLM/leakage detector incorporates the features of both an SLM and
detector measure? a signal leakage detector.
The measurement applications include: (1) balancing amplifier (bridger, distribution,
What are measurement applications for and line extender) output levels (SLM); (2) verifying system and amplifier power
using SLMs, DMMs, TDRs, leakage supply operation (DMM); (3) identifying cut or damaged cable spans (TDR); (4)
detectors, and combination leakage identifying sources of ingress (signal leakage detector, SLM); and (5) monitoring and
detectors? measuring signal leakage (egress) for system CLI reporting (combination
SLM/leakage detector).
Begin at a location common to all known outage sites, divide the area of unknown
What is the proper troubleshooting
signal status in half, verify the signal condition, and repeat (if necessary) until the
technique?
source of the problem is found.
How can a distribution system design map A system design map is used to analyze system for the device common to the
aid the troubleshooting process, after customers so far affected before traveling to make additional signal status checks.
gathering as much information as possible
about the extent of the affected area?
Powering failures include: (1) a utility power failure; (2) a tripped utility breaker; (3)
What are six sources of outages caused by
spent standby battery power; (4) a blown distribution leg fuse; (5) a blown amplifier
powering failures?
DC power supply fuse; and (6) a cable center conductor suck-out.
The outage groups are: (1) cables cut by underground digging equipment (a
What are three groups of outage causes backhoe, a trencher, a post-hole digger, a shovel, etc); (2) aerial cable damaged by
associated with cut or damaged cables? lightning or downed power lines; and (3) downed aerial cable due to traffic
accidents or severe weather.
How often are outages caused by Outages caused by equipment failures generally occur less frequently than other
equipment failures? outage categories.
Maintaining physical plant integrity involves: (1) checking and tightening loose
What tasks are involved in maintaining
connectors, housing enclosures, and tap face plates; (2) lubricating pedestal and
physical plant integrity within the
power supply padlocks periodically during normal access; and (3) securing and
distribution system?
documenting any broken lashing wire to prevent further deterioration.
What does eliminating a discovered signal Eliminating a discovered leak averts a potential outage or trouble call.
leak accomplish?
