Outside Plant Design
Outside plant (OSP) cabling and infrastructure has evolved into the vital element that supports all voice and data communications globally. Even today’s wireless networks are supported by a wide array of OSP cabling and infrastructure, empowering individuals to communicate as they need.
The Outside Plant Design Reference Manual (OSPDRM), 6th edition won a prestigious Award of Merit from the Society for Technical Communication.
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Written by industry experts representing thousands of completed projects, the OSPDRM, 6th edition contains new and updated material on the following:
- OSP-specific information on passive optical networks (PON)
- Material to cover OSP aerial installation of all dielectric self-supporting cable (ADSS)
- New chapter on maintenance and restoration of outside plant
- Information on radio frequency over glass (RFoG) specific to OSP fiber optic installations
- Information for additional excavation methods for direct-buried cable and pathways (i.e., vacuum, hydro-vac, and air nozzle)
- New storm loading requirements for aerial OSP design to include the U.S. Warm Islands zone per requirements in 2017 NESC
- A project design chapter that includes updated relevant project management information as it concerns OSP design and added information on geographic information systems (GIS)
- Updated fiber cable types (added OM5, removed OM1 and OM2 as no longer recognized for new installations)
- Information regarding air-assisted cable installation
- Material related to joint-use/make-ready activities for OSP aerial plant
- Expanded Appendix A
- Glossary updated
- General updates, including changes resulting from the release of the 2017 edition of the NESC concerning clearances and grounding/bonding requirements.
The OSPDRM, in conjunction with the OSP series courses, serves as a detailed study reference for the BICSI OSP Design exam.