Connectors at each end of the cable plant should not be counted when calculating the cable plant loss.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

In calculating the cable plant loss, you sum every attenuation the light encounters along the path from transmitter to receiver. That includes the end connectors where the fiber interfaces with the equipment. Each connector introduces insertion loss, and because there are connectors at both ends, their losses add to the total. If you left them out, you’d understate the total loss and risk insufficient power at the receiver. For example, if each end has about 0.3–0.5 dB of loss, the combined end loss ranges roughly 0.6–1.0 dB, which is material to the budget. So end connectors should be included in the cable plant loss calculation.