For starters, fiber optics is considered a communications conductor – not “supply” as referred to in the NESC. The installation and maintenance of fiber conductors is covered under OSHA 29 CFR 1910. ”Electrical utilities have networks used to transmit and distribute electrical power over a large geographic area. In their served areas will be power generating stations, alternative energy sources (solar, wind, geotherman, etc. ” The minimum performance standards required to do the work are also found. Outside Plant (OSP) in fiber optics is the network infrastructure located outside of buildings. The optical fiber elements are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube. While the fiber optic cables themselves transmit data using light signals and do not inherently consume electricity, the equipment that sends, receives, processes, and distributes these light signals is powered by electricity.
