NCTI FIBER TESTING AND MAINTENANCE
2026 EXAM WITH ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
What are the three elements of an outside plant fiber-optic
network? Correct Answer The three elements of an outside plant
fiber-optic network are the transmitter, receiver, and the outside
plant (the fiber segments)
What is the purpose of good maintenance practices? Correct
Answer Good maintenance practices minimize failures that might
have otherwise occurred with ongoing neglect and identify
potential performance issues before they become problems.
What is essential for efficient fiber-optic network troubleshooting?
Correct Answer Network documentation is essential for efficient
fiber-optic network troubleshooting.
Which of the following is true regarding maintenance of the optical
network? choose all that apply. Correct Answer ITU-T designation
encompasses all things voice, data, and video.
FTTx networks incorporate a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) optical
topology that requires greater fiber color code management.
,What are some best practices when maintaining the outside
plant? Choose all that apply. Correct Answer Check aerial spans
for obstructions, lashing integrity, lashing clamps, suspension
clamps, physical damage, snowshoe clamps, radius, cable sag,
and dressing.
Always use riser guards at aerial to underground transition points.
What documentation changes should occur as changes are
introduced to a fiber-optic network? Correct Answer
Documentation must be updated to reflect the new configuration
and performance data.
For cable TV and other high-power applications, what optical
power range, in an optical power meter, should the user
purchase? Correct Answer For cable TV, dense wavelength
division multiplexing (DWDM), and other high-power applications,
an optical power meter would require a high-power meter (+27 to
-53 dBm).
What is unique about FTTx testing using the optical power meter?
Correct Answer Wavelength-isolating optical power meters are
designed to be operated in bi-directional FTTx applications to
measure both upstream and downstream ITU-, IEEE-, and SCTE-
specified wavelengths.
What type of light source is commonly used when testing single-
mode fiber systems and why? Correct Answer Laser light is
, commonly used for testing single-mode fiber systems due to its
increased coupling efficiency, as opposed to using LEDs.
Which classification of laser is considered eye safe in most
applications? Correct Answer The Class 1 laser is considered eye
safe due to low power levels.
Optical fiber identifiers main tasks are to Correct Answer
determine if light is on the fiber. determine if the light is modulated
and therefore carrying traffic, determine the direction the light is
coming from
How does a fiber identifier detect live traffic signals on an
individual optical fiber? Correct Answer To detect live traffic on a
fiber, an optical fiber identifier puts a controlled macrobend onto
the optical fiber that allows the escape and detection of light
energy by the identifier.
What are the two most common problems around patch panels?
Correct Answer The two most common problems around patch
panels are microbends and macrobends.
When might an organization choose to open and inspect splice
closures for moisture and improper sealing? Correct Answer For
splice closures in underground vaults where the potential for
freezing exists, the cable operator should open and inspect the
2026 EXAM WITH ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
What are the three elements of an outside plant fiber-optic
network? Correct Answer The three elements of an outside plant
fiber-optic network are the transmitter, receiver, and the outside
plant (the fiber segments)
What is the purpose of good maintenance practices? Correct
Answer Good maintenance practices minimize failures that might
have otherwise occurred with ongoing neglect and identify
potential performance issues before they become problems.
What is essential for efficient fiber-optic network troubleshooting?
Correct Answer Network documentation is essential for efficient
fiber-optic network troubleshooting.
Which of the following is true regarding maintenance of the optical
network? choose all that apply. Correct Answer ITU-T designation
encompasses all things voice, data, and video.
FTTx networks incorporate a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) optical
topology that requires greater fiber color code management.
,What are some best practices when maintaining the outside
plant? Choose all that apply. Correct Answer Check aerial spans
for obstructions, lashing integrity, lashing clamps, suspension
clamps, physical damage, snowshoe clamps, radius, cable sag,
and dressing.
Always use riser guards at aerial to underground transition points.
What documentation changes should occur as changes are
introduced to a fiber-optic network? Correct Answer
Documentation must be updated to reflect the new configuration
and performance data.
For cable TV and other high-power applications, what optical
power range, in an optical power meter, should the user
purchase? Correct Answer For cable TV, dense wavelength
division multiplexing (DWDM), and other high-power applications,
an optical power meter would require a high-power meter (+27 to
-53 dBm).
What is unique about FTTx testing using the optical power meter?
Correct Answer Wavelength-isolating optical power meters are
designed to be operated in bi-directional FTTx applications to
measure both upstream and downstream ITU-, IEEE-, and SCTE-
specified wavelengths.
What type of light source is commonly used when testing single-
mode fiber systems and why? Correct Answer Laser light is
, commonly used for testing single-mode fiber systems due to its
increased coupling efficiency, as opposed to using LEDs.
Which classification of laser is considered eye safe in most
applications? Correct Answer The Class 1 laser is considered eye
safe due to low power levels.
Optical fiber identifiers main tasks are to Correct Answer
determine if light is on the fiber. determine if the light is modulated
and therefore carrying traffic, determine the direction the light is
coming from
How does a fiber identifier detect live traffic signals on an
individual optical fiber? Correct Answer To detect live traffic on a
fiber, an optical fiber identifier puts a controlled macrobend onto
the optical fiber that allows the escape and detection of light
energy by the identifier.
What are the two most common problems around patch panels?
Correct Answer The two most common problems around patch
panels are microbends and macrobends.
When might an organization choose to open and inspect splice
closures for moisture and improper sealing? Correct Answer For
splice closures in underground vaults where the potential for
freezing exists, the cable operator should open and inspect the
