Cable Installation Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real DCI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cable Installation Techniques flashcards as text
What is the correct method for unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable when transitioning from a vertical cable tray to horizontal routing?
Answer: Use a sweeping bend that maintains the minimum bend radius
A sweeping bend that maintains the minimum bend radius (8x cable OD for Cat 6A) prevents deformation of the internal twist pairs at the transition point.
Which of the following is true about installing plenum-rated (CMP) cable in a plenum air-handling space?
Answer: CMP cable is required in plenum spaces due to its low-smoke, low-flame characteristics
CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) cable is required in air-handling plenums because its jacket produces less smoke and flame spread, reducing fire hazards in HVAC air pathways.
What is the recommended maximum untwist length when terminating a Cat 6 cable pair at a keystone jack?
Answer: 13 mm (0.5 in)
TIA-568 recommends untwisting no more than 13 mm (0.5 inch) of each pair when terminating at an outlet or patch panel to preserve NEXT performance.
When using a fish tape to pull cable through an existing wall cavity, which safety precaution is most critical?
Answer: Verify there are no electrical conductors in the cavity before fishing
Verifying the wall cavity is clear of electrical conductors before fishing prevents accidental contact with live wiring, which poses a serious electrocution risk.
What is the purpose of a pulling lubricant (cable lube) during conduit pulls?
Answer: To reduce friction and lower the pulling tension needed
Cable lubricant reduces friction between the cable jacket and conduit walls, keeping pulling tension below the cable's maximum rated limit.
Which measurement does a cable installer record to verify the cable length does not exceed the 90-meter horizontal limit?
Answer: Cable length as measured by a certifying tester's TDR function
A certifying tester uses Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to measure the actual electrical length of the installed cable in meters.
When pulling multiple cables simultaneously through a conduit, what technique prevents the cables from binding and twisting around each other?
Answer: Using a breakaway swivel or pulling grip with a rotating attachment
A breakaway swivel or rotating pulling grip allows the pull line to rotate freely, preventing torque from twisting and tangling the cables during the pull.