Reference · Glossary · 14 Terms
Glossary: M
Outside plant terms that start with M, in plain language, with links to the OSP map and the operations steps.
Macrobend
Also Called: Tight Bend
A visible bend tighter than the fiber allows, which leaks light. An event with noticeably more loss at the longer test wavelength than the shorter usually means a macrobend in a tray or coil.
- SOP Step: SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance
- See Also: Bend Radius, OTDR, OTDR Trace
Make-Ready
Work that prepares a pole for a new attachment: moving or transferring existing attachments, power work, new guys or replacing the pole. It often drives the schedule.
Mandrel
Also Called: Test Mandrel
A rigid plug sized to the duct per owner spec, pulled through to find crushes, kinks and ovality.
- SOP Step: UG-10 Duct Proving and Pull Tape
- See Also: Duct Proving
Manhole
Also Called: MH
A below-grade vault large enough for a person to enter, used for cable access and splicing. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268(o) covers work in telecommunications manholes outside construction; entry during construction falls under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA.
- On the Map: Vault or Manhole
- SOP Steps: SPL-02 Safety for Splicing, UG-09 Handholes, Vaults and Pedestals
- See Also: Vault, Confined Space
Mass Fusion Splicing
Also Called: Ribbon Splicing · Mass Fusion
Splicing every fiber in a ribbon at once. Every fiber's result is reviewed, and the whole ribbon is re-spliced if one fails the owner's threshold.
- SOP Step: SPL-08 Ribbon (Mass Fusion) Splicing
- See Also: Ribbon Fiber, Fusion Splice
MDU
Also Called: Multiple Dwelling Unit
Multiple dwelling unit, such as an apartment building.
Messenger
Also Called: Messenger Strand · Support Strand
The galvanized steel strand tensioned between poles that supports lashed cable.
- On the Map: Messenger Strand
- SOP Steps: AE-08 Strand Placement and Tensioning, AE-09 Cable Placement and Lashing
- See Also: Strand, Lashing, Sag
Micro-Trenching
Also Called: Micro-Trench · Microtrenching
A narrow saw-cut trench, usually in pavement, for microduct. Depth, fill and sealing follow the municipality, and restoration quality decides acceptance.
- On the Map: Micro-Trench
- SOP Step: UG-08 Other Placement Methods
- See Also: Microduct, Silica Dust
Microduct
Also Called: Micro Duct
Small-diameter duct, often bundled, made to receive air-blown fiber cable.
- On the Map: Innerduct and Microduct
- SOP Steps: UG-10 Duct Proving and Pull Tape, UG-11 Cable Placement Underground
- See Also: Cable Blowing, Innerduct
Mid-Span Access
Also Called: Midspan Entry · Window Cut
Opening a cable sheath in the middle of its length to reach only the fibers you need, leaving the rest uncut.
- SOP Step: SPL-04 Mid-Span Access and Expressing Tubes
- See Also: Express Fiber
Midspan Clearance
Also Called: Ground Clearance
Clearance of a cable's lowest point over roads, driveways and walks, checked under worst-case sag (NESC Table 232-1 and owner spec). Clearance from other lines in the span follows other NESC rules and the owner spec.
- On the Map: Midspan Clearance
- SOP Steps: AE-02 Field Survey and Make-Ready Engineering, AE-12 Labeling, Inspection and As-Builts
- See Also: Clearance, Sag
Minimum Approach Distance
Also Called: MAD
The closest a worker or tool may come to an energized power part, set by OSHA by voltage and by qualification. Unqualified workers stay well outside it.
MST
Also Called: Multiport Service Terminal · Drop Terminal
Multiport service terminal. A hardened terminal with pre-connectorized ports for plug-in drops, fed by a tail cable.
- On the Map: Multiport Service Terminal
- SOP Step: AE-11 Terminal Coils, Closures, Drops and Risers
- See Also: Tail Coil, Hardened Connector, Drop
Mule Tape
Also Called: Pull Tape · Pull Line
Flat, footage-marked pull tape left in a duct for pulling cable later. The footage at each end tells you the duct length.
- SOP Steps: UG-10 Duct Proving and Pull Tape, UG-13 Documentation and Closeout
- See Also: Duct Proving, Footage Marks