Drop Cabling Question & Answer

Question 1: Which of the following cable terms would you most associate with cables
aerial hung ?

Answers:
A Plenum
Incorrect Answer - Plenum-rated cables, are designed for use in plenums, ducts and air
handling spaces, carry the strictest NFC rating
B CATVR
Incorrect Answer - this is an NEC820 Riser-rated cable and used in vertical shafts that penetrate more
than one floor.
C Flooded
Incorrect Answer - flooded cables have a polyethylene-jacketed cable with MigraHeal flooding
compound to prevent moisture ingress in case of damage. these are typically associated with
Underground installations.
D Messenger
Correct Answer - Messenger wire is a steel wire that is webbed together with the coax to support Aerial
hung installations.

Question 2: In which process do cable systems apply a frequency to each channel

Answers:
A Digital data compression
Incorrect Answer - Digital data compression is the reduction of signal data by eliminating
repetitive and non-essential information.
B
Channel mapping
Correct Answer - In channel mapping, cable systems apply a frequency to each channel
number that only their converter boxes can understand.
C
Digital modulation
Incorrect Answer - Digital modulation is the act of varying an RF carrier at locations known as
"decision points" shown on the slide as t1, t2, etc."
D
Digital multiplexing
Incorrect Answer - Is the process of putting more than one signal on the same communications
circuit to conserve frequency bandwidth.

Question 3: Which signaling technique is the graphic associated with and includes
Sampling, Quantizing, Encoding and storaging?

Answers:
A
Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC)
Correct Answer - Analog signals are converted to digital signals in a process known as analog
to digital conversion (ADC).
B
Digital Modulation
Incorrect Answer - Digital modulation is the act of varying an RF carrier at locations known as
"decision points" shown on the slide as t1, t2, etc."
C
Digital Multiplexing
Incorrect Answer - Digital Multiplexing is where multiple signals can be placed on the same
communications circuit to conserve frequency bandwidth.
D
Channel Mapping
Incorrect Answer - In channel mapping, cable systems apply a frequency to each channel
number that only their converter boxes can understand.

Question 4: Which of the following numbers is indicating the coax dielectric ?

Answers:
A
2
Incorrect Answer - This is the center conductor
B
3
Correct Answer - This is the Dielectric separating the center conductor from the outer
conductors
C
4
Incorrect Answer - Foil shielding is usually a layer of aluminum bonded to a polyester tape. It
provides 100% coverage over the dielectric and is best at preventing ingress and leakage of
high frequency signals; however, it is not that effective with lower frequency signals.
D
1
Incorrect Answer - This is the Braid. The outer shield is best screening low frequencies and
provides 60% minimum coverage. It offers good flexibility, a long flex life, lower DC resistance,
and strong connector retention.

Question 5:Which of the following is the highest in the hierarchy of NEC cable types?

Answers:
A
CATVR
Incorrect Answer - Riser-rated cables are used in vertical shafts that penetrate more than one
floor

B
CATV
Incorrect Answer - General purpose - rated cables may be used in locations other than plenums
of risers
C
CATVX
Incorrect Answer - Residential - rated cables are for use in one, two and multi-family dwellings
and in raceways.
D
CATVP
Correct Answer - Plenum-rated cables, are designed for use in plenums, ducts and air handling
spaces, carry the strictest NFC rating

Question 6:Which of the following conductor images would represent a low frequency signal ? (most inclusive
answer)

Answers:
A

Incorrect Answer - As the frequency increases, the signal leaves the center and migrates
outward the signal essentially travels on the outer surface, or skin, of the conductor. Therefore
the center of the conductor can be steel or aluminum.
B
Any of the images would represent low frequency.
Incorrect Answer - One of the images does represent a low frequency signal.
C

Correct Answer - At very low frequencies < 5 Megahertz, the entire cross sectional area of the
conductor is utilized.
D

Incorrect Answer - As the frequency increases, the signal leaves the center and migrates
outward the signal essentially travels on the outer surface, or skin, of the conductor.

Question 7:Which of the impedance shown would you most associate with Cable TV (CATV)?

Answers:
A
Incorrect Answer - 50ohms (RG58) you would associate with wireless, data, VSAT and antenna.
B

Correct Answer - 75ohms (RG59) is associated with CATV and CCTV systems, broadcast and
Digital Satellite and RG59 coax.
C

Incorrect Answer - 93ohms (RG62) you may associate older IBM systems.
D

Incorrect Answer - 100ohms you would associate with twisted pair solutions.

Question 8:Which coax signaling characteristic does this equation relate to ?

Answers:
A
Return Loss.
Correct Answer - The equation relates to Return Loss.
B
Attenuation.
Incorrect Answer - This is not the Attenuation equation.
C
Shielding Effectiveness.
Incorrect Answer - This is not the Shielding Effectiveness equation.
D
Impedance.
Incorrect Answer - This is not an impedance equation.

Question 9:Shielding effectiveness is a function of the construction and materials in the outer shield. Which of
the following shield designs is NOT acceptable ? (Most Inclusive Answer)
Answers:
A
Quad Shield - Braid, foil tape, Braid, Foil tape
Incorrect Answer - This is a very acceptable and effective shield the foil offering good EMI
protection, tape for higher frequencies and braid for flexing.
B
Tri Shield - Foil tape, Braid, foil tape
Incorrect Answer - This is a very acceptable and effective shield the foil offering good EMI
protection, tape for higher frequencies and braid for flexing.
C
Foil tape Only
Correct Answer - A foil tape alone design should not be used.
D
All three other answers ARE acceptable.
Incorrect Answer - One of the answers is NOT acceptable.

Question 10:Which of the following HFC devices will be the input point for satellite dish remote video input,
IP aggregation routers and sometimes telephony equipment ?

Answers:
A
Coax Amplifier
Incorrect Answer - This is simply used to amplify an attenuated signal.
B
Line extender
Line extenders - This is used to amplify an attenuated signal and extend the signal distance.
C
Optical node
Incorrect Answer - The Fiber optic node converts the long distance low noise fiber environment
from the headend into local coaxial distribution.
D
Master Headend
Correct Answer - A master headend will usually have satellite dishes for reception of distant
video signals as well as IP aggregation routers. Some master headends also house telephony
equipment for providing telecommunications services to the community.
Question 11:Which of the following clips is recommended for use on CommScope cable ?

Answers:
A

Cable Clip
Incorrect Answer - this type of cable clip is not recommended.
B

Screw Clip
Correct Answer - CommScope does not recommend the use of the standard cable staple,
staple clip, and brad nail cable clip as they are prone to creating impedance changes in the
cable. CommScope only recommends the use of properly sized screw type clips.
C

Standard Staple
Incorrect Answer - this type of cable clip is not recommended.
D

Staple Clip
Incorrect Answer - this type of cable clip is not recommended.

Question 12:If the diameter of the coax drop cable is 1cm what would the recommended bend radius be
for a single cable ?
Answers:
A
2cm
Incorrect Answer - this is too small a bend radius and will impact performance.
B
5cm
Incorrect Answer - this is too small a bend radius and will impact performance.
C
10cm
Correct Answer - the general rule is 10 x the diameter of the cable.
D
20cm
Incorrect Answer - This will be a good bend radius for a 1cm cable but it is not that
recommended.

Question 13:

Answers:
A
Bonding and Grounding are the same so either could be used in this context.
Incorrect Answer - Only one is correct.
B
Ground
Correct Answer - Ground is a connection to earth, or to a connecting body that serves as earth.
C
None of the answers is correct.
Incorrect Answer - One of these is correct.
D
Bonding
Incorrect Answer - This is a permanent electrical connection between two metallic components.

Question 14:Fill in the Blank: ............ is a permanent electrical connection between two metallic
components.
Answers:

A
Grounding.
Incorrect Answer - Grounding is a connection to earth, or to a connecting body that serves as earth.
B
None of the answers is correct.
Incorrect Answer - One of these is correct.
C
Bonding.
Correct Answer - This is a permanent electrical connection between two metallic components.
D
Bonding and Grounding are the same so either could be used in this context.
Incorrect Answer - Only one is correct.

Question 15:If the center conductor is shorter than 0.25 inch or the conductor is damaged when cut which
of the following may be the result ? (most inclusive answer)

Answers:
A
Instead of physical electron transfer the center conductor radiates energy and the F port contact
acts as a receiving antenna.
Incorrect Answer - This could be the case but it is not the most inclusive answer.
B
All three other answers.
Correct Answer - Rough cut conductor ends can cause poor signal flow and short conductors
could result in no physical contact in cold temperatures.
C
Suck-outs can occur during colder temperatures
Incorrect Answer - This could be the case but it is not the most inclusive answer.
D
Poor picture quality, MER's, and BER's occur.
Incorrect Answer - This could be the case but it is not the most inclusive answer.
Question 16:On termination of the drop cable you leave 30cm spare to create a loop. What is the term and
purpose of this loop ?

Answers:
A
Ground loop
Incorrect Answer - The cable does connect to a ground block but this is not the term or purpose of the
loop.
B
Bond loop
Incorrect Answer - The cable does connect via the ground block to bonding but this is not the term or
purpose of the loop.
C
Drip loop
Correct Answer - this is the term and purpose of the loop.
D
Termination loop
Incorrect Answer - It is important to leave slack during termination but this is not the term or purpose of
the loop.

Question 17:Which of the following termination looks satisfactory ? (click once on image to enlarge)

Answers:
A
Incorrect Answer - This is the STUFFER the braid is uneven and not seated fully so the
conductor is positioned short.
B

Incorrect Answer - This is the SPEEDER You can see the damaged Shield Tape as its been
inserted off center because the braid and tape was not evenly presented.
C

Incorrect Answer - This is the BARBER you can see the braid and Tape has been removed.
D

Correct Answer - The Conductor is seated to the limit the braid is tidy and not bulked, the tape is
intact.

Question 18:After pulling the coax into place using a sock what is the minimum recommended distance
from the end of sock should be cut to assure the cable performance ?
Answers:
A
5cm
Incorrect Answer - This is too short a distance.
B
10cm
Incorrect Answer - This is too short a distance.
C
20cm
Correct Answer - This is the recommended minimum distance.
D
2cm
Incorrect Answer - This is too short a distance.

Question 19:Which of these bad terminations is the BARBER, causing poor grounding and poor pulling
force ? (click once on image to enlarge)

Answers:
A

Incorrect Answer - This is the Stuffer

Correct Answer - It is likely the prep tool has been used twice or knife or pliers were used to prepare it.
D

Incorrect Answer - This is the Jammer

Question 20:Which of these bad terminations is the SPEEDER, where the braid and tape was not evenly
spread causing the conductor and dielectric to enter the connector at an angle damaging the cable ? (click
once on image to enlarge)

Answers:
A

Incorrect Answer - This is the JAMMER

Correct Answer - Entry at the angle has scrapped off the tape causing impedance changes, poor ground
plane and micro reflections.
D

Incorrect Answer - This is the BARBER