Reference · Glossary · 12 Terms
Glossary: L
Outside plant terms that start with L, in plain language, with links to the OSP map and the operations steps.
Lashing
Also Called: Lashed Cable
Binding fiber cable to the messenger strand with lashing wire, using a cable lasher.
- On the Map: Lashed Fiber Cable
- SOP Step: AE-09 Cable Placement and Lashing
- See Also: Cable Lasher, Messenger, Lashing Wire Clamp
Lashing Wire Clamp
A clamp that terminates the lashing wire at each pole so the lashing cannot unwind.
- On the Map: Lashing Wire Clamp
- SOP Step: AE-09 Cable Placement and Lashing
- See Also: Lashing
Launch Cable
Also Called: Launch Fiber · Receive Cable · Tail Cord
A length of fiber between the OTDR and the link so the first connector can be measured; a receive cable at the far end does the same for the last connector.
- On the Map: OTDR with Launch Cable
- SOP Step: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance
- See Also: OTDR, Dead Zone
Lead
Also Called: Anchor Lead · Guy Lead
The horizontal distance from the pole to the anchor. The design sets it; a short lead raises the load on the guy and anchor.
- SOP Step: AE-06 Anchors
- See Also: Anchor, Down Guy
Light Source and Power Meter
Also Called: LSPM · OLTS · Power Meter
The test set that measures end-to-end loss: a calibrated source at one end and a meter at the other, referenced by the method the owner specifies.
- SOP Step: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance
- See Also: Insertion Loss, OTDR
Load Rating
Also Called: Tier Rating · Lid Rating
The vertical load an enclosure and its lid are tested to carry, shown on the lid. Underground enclosure tiers are defined by ANSI/SCTE 77; ANSI/SCTE 77 tiers cover areas without deliberate vehicle traffic; boxes in roadways or deliberate traffic need highway (AASHTO) load ratings per owner spec.
- On the Map: Handhole Lid Marking
- SOP Step: UG-09 Handholes, Vaults and Pedestals
- See Also: Handhole, Pedestal
Loading District
Also Called: NESC Loading District
The NESC weather zone (wind and ice) used in pole loading analysis. The district depends on where the line is built.
- SOP Step: AE-02 Field Survey and Make-Ready Engineering
- See Also: Pole Loading, Grade of Construction, Safety Factor
Locate Marks
Also Called: Marks · Locate Paint · Utility Marks
Paint, flags or stakes in the APWA colors that show the approximate horizontal location of a buried facility. They do not show depth.
- On the Map: Locate Marks
- SOP Step: UG-03 One-Call Locates (811) and Ticket Management
- See Also: APWA Color Code, Tolerance Zone, White-Lining
Locate Ticket
Also Called: 811 Ticket · One-Call Ticket · Dig Ticket
A one-call (811) request that has member utilities mark their lines before you dig. It covers a set area for a set time under state law.
- SOP Steps: AE-06 Anchors, UG-03 One-Call Locates (811) and Ticket Management
- See Also: Positive Response, Locate Marks, Tolerance Zone
Longitudinal Load
Force along the line from unequal tension, as at a dead-end or where the span length or the attachments change from one side of the pole to the other.
- On the Map: Strand Dead-End
- SOP Steps: AE-02 Field Survey and Make-Ready Engineering, AE-07 Down Guys and Guy Guards
- See Also: Pole Loading, Dead-End, Down Guy
Loose Tube
Also Called: Loose-Tube Cable
A cable design that carries fibers loose in buffer tubes. The most common OSP construction.
- SOP Step: SPL-03 Closure and Cable Preparation
- See Also: Buffer Tube, Water-Blocking
Loss Budget
Also Called: Optical Budget · Link Budget · Power Budget
The total loss a link can have and still work: fiber, splices, connectors and splitters added up and compared with what the optics allow, with margin left over. Design runs it on the worst-case path; testing proves it.
- SOP Step: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance
- See Also: Attenuation, Insertion Loss, PON