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 request technical information for activities
literacy skills to:
interpret technical documentation
incorporate technical language into written tasks
numeracy skills to:
interpret technical data, such as specifications of telecommunications networks
perform mathematical problem solving in AC and DC tasks and fault finding
problem-solving skills to apply AC and DC fault-finding techniques to different situations
safety awareness skills to:
apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities
select and use required personal protective equipment, conforming to industry and WHS standards
work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment
technical skills to select and use appropriate test equipment and practices to perform basic AC and DC testing and fault finding tasks.
Required knowledge
AC and DC electrical quantities, encompassing SI units, WHS issues and the application of Ohm’s law
AC and DC fault-finding techniques and use of testing equipment
AC and DC theory
analog and digital principles
application of binary to decimal conversion and vice versa
distinction between analog and digital signals and devices
encoding techniques and their application in wired, wireless and optical communications systems
features and applications of unshielded twisted pair (UTP), coaxial and fibre cables
typical electronic devices, cable types and their applications
modulation techniques used in wired, wireless and optical communications systems
techniques to convert analog to digital and digital to analog.
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.
DC and AC circuit configuration may include: | AC to DC supply DC circuit: resistances single DC voltage source: battery DC voltage supply solar panel power loads AC circuit: inductors, capacitors and resistances single AC voltage source: AC generator AC voltage supply alternator low voltage AC source. |
Safe work practices may relate to: | component tolerances not exceeded correct use of power supply and test equipment identifying electrical safety hazards isolation from main supply overdrawing of current power down during set-up procedure well laid out circuitry: avoid contact with external sources avoid shorting of components. |
Test equipment may include: | AC current clamp meters multimeters, including digital multimeters ohmmeters voltmeters. |
Calculations may include: | application of Ohm’s law engineering notation power calculations power consumption and efficiencies voltage dividers voltage, resistance and current calculations. |
Electrical quantities may include: | current power voltage. |
Probable faults may include: | blown fuse cracked circuit board failed components faulty power supply foreign battery intermittent faults loose connections open circuit short circuit short to ground split pairs water damage. |
Characteristics of an analog signal and a digital signal may include: | analog signal characteristics: continuously variable, infinite number of states intelligence based on recreating exact waveshape signal to noise ratio increase with amplification digital signal characteristics: encryption error detection and correction finite number of discrete states high noise immunity intelligence based on ability to discern only two states regeneration type of square wave (complex waveform). |
Building blocks may include: | analog: amplifiers attenuators displays filters oscillators transducers digital: ADC and DAC computers counter data routers, switches and bridges digital amplifier digital display input and output transducers multiplexer. |
Transmission characteristics may include: | attenuation balanced characteristic impedance (Zo) crosstalk frequency range transmission windows for glass optical fibre unbalanced waveguide cut-off frequency. |
Types of cable may include: | aluminium and copper DC busbars coaxial cable multi-pair communications cable optical fibre performance data cable CAT 5 and higher rack and sub-rack alarm and power distribution cables shielded twisted pair (STP) communications cable UTP communications cable. |
Application characteristics may include: | audio data digital subscriber line (DSL) ethernet microwave optical/laser power radio frequency (RF) satellite video. |
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