Assessor Resource

ICTCBL2065B
Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for carriers and service providers

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Technical staff who splice and terminate optical fibre cable for telecommunications projects apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They may carry out new installations, upgrade an optical backbone or access network provisioning for greater bandwidth and capacity required by emerging technology convergence for Next Generation Networks (NGN).

This unit may be applied to commercial or industrial fibre to the premises (FTTP) installations.

This unit does not include consideration of mechanical splicing. For mechanical splicing, refer to ICTCBL3010B Install and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to splice and terminate optical fibre cable within an optical telecommunications transmission environment.

This work is essential in provisioning of National Broadband Network (NBN) infrastructure for high speed and high bandwidth transmissions.

Assessment by a TITAB-registered assessor is recommended.

All customer cabling work in the telecommunications, fire, security and data industries must be performed by a registered cabler. All cablers are required to register with an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)-accredited registrar.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

splice, terminate and test optical fibre cable applying safety precautions when working with laser-based systems

splice at least 12 fibres and house them in splicing cassettes and trays within industry recognised enclosures according to manufacturer’s instructions

install a mechanical connector and a fusion, spliced pigtail type connector

complete relevant documentation to manufacturer and design requirements

provide report documenting installation and test results to client

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where splicing and termination of optical fibre cable may be conducted

use of optical fibre testing equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on optical fibre cable installation activities.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

review of a hands-on project completed by the candidate

review of an oral and written report, including installation and test results

direct observation of the candidate carrying out splicing of optical fibre within an optical communication system.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTCBL3010B Install and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

relate to work associates, supervisors, team members and clients

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals, specifications and requirements for optical fibre cable installation

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organising skills to organise and maintain equipment

problem-solving skills to solve equipment and logistics problems

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

apply work site OHS

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

work safely with optical fibre and lasers

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

install customer access network (CAN) cable

operate test equipment to perform measurements on optical fibre

perform fault clearance

use diagnostic equipment

use optical fibre jointing techniques

use specialised tools and test equipment

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

causes of signal strength loss in optical fibre

colour coding of fibres

detailed knowledge of AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2)

features and operating requirements of test equipment for optical fibre cable

industry and organisational policy and procedures when splicing optical fibre cable

information required to operate equipment according to a test specification

manufacturer requirements for safe operation of optical fibre equipment

safety precautions when working with laser-based systems

specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions

techniques for types of termination, including:

direct termination

fusion splicing

test methods and performance requirements

types of optical cable and termination

workplace and industry environment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS practices may relate to:

determining that optical fibre cable is not live according to guidelines and standards

handling optical fibre cable in a safe manner to avoid risk of injury

labelling fibre cable and laser devices

locating and identifying adjoining services according to enterprise guidelines and OHS practices

observing AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2)

testing for presence of dangerous gases according to enterprise guidelines.

Physical conditions may relate to:

above ground

in cabinet

in joint enclosure.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2)

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

OHS Acts and relevant codes and standards

regulated or industry codes of practice, including ACMA technical standards

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Hazards may include:

earth potential rise (EPR)

optical cable:

bare fibres

hazardous laser light

remote power feeding.

Relevant authorities may include:

cable location services (Dial Before You Dig)

environment protection

local government

private owners

utility providers, such as:

electricity

fire services

gas

water

other telecommunications providers.

Dangerous gases may include:

asphyxiating gas

carbon dioxide

carbon monoxide

combustible

natural gas

noxious gas.

Guards may include:

barricades

plates

temporary fencing.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

identifying other services, including power and gas

need to decommission and isolate work site and lines before beginning work

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves:

leather

plastic

rubber

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

safe work practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

safety equipment:

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

safety barriers

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

suitable light and ventilation

special access requirements

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Cable may include:

air blown

armoured

external

internal

loose tube

tight buffered.

Appropriate equipment may include:

hand-held optical power meter

OFI-fibre to the x (FTTx) active optical network terminal (ONT) detector

passive optical network (PON) meter

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR).

Optical fibres may include:

multi-mode

polymer

single mode.

Splice fibres may relate to:

fusion splice

preparing connection ends to a smooth flat surface to ensure no optical path redirection from joint

removing all coatings from exposed optical fibre and removing all possible contaminants.

Type of termination may include:

direct termination

fusion splicing.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Select safety equipment to protect self and public according to enterprise guidelines and occupational health and safety (OHS) practices 
Confirm layout of job using installation according to physical conditions at site and requirements of relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards 
Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards on work site 
Locate other services from relevant authorities according to enterprise guidelines and safe practices 
Test for dangerous gases and place guards around open manholes following OHS and environmental requirements 
Obtain approval for alterations to the design according to enterprise guidelines 
Verify that cable was installed according to the installation plan and visually inspect cable for signs of sheath damage 
Maintain minimum bend ratios according to manufacturer specifications to prevent cable damage and signal degradation 
Secure cable according to safe industry practice to avoid cable and sheath damage 
Verify fibre is not live using appropriate equipment to maintain safe work practices, and ensure correct fibre has been identified 
Prepare cable end to expose optical fibres according to splicing method and manufacturer specifications 
Prepare and splice fibres using safe industry practice according to enterprise specifications 
Test splice joint to manufacturer and design requirements 
Select connector unit to suit terminating frame according to design specifications 
Terminate the cable using type of termination specified in the plan and according to manufacturer specifications 
Test termination for transmission loss and strength and re-terminate if transmission loss exceeds the manufacturer specifications 
Install protection devices on connectors and fibres to protect from exposure and contaminants 
Label and lay up cables in enclosure according to manufacturer’s instructions and enterprise guidelines 
Remove waste and reinstate site according to enterprise guidelines 
Prepare reports, including test results and alterations to plans, according to enterprise policy 
Notify client of work completion and obtain sign-off 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTCBL2065B - Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for carriers and service providers
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTCBL2065B - Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for carriers and service providers

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

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Date:

Student signature:

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