Application
Cablers, installers and technicians in the field apply the skills and knowledge in this unit in the context of technology convergence and digital subscriber lines (DSL) technologies as applied in the telecommunications industry.
It can be applied to installation, maintenance or upgrades of existing systems in voice, data or security systems.
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Build and test DC and AC circuits and telephone earthing | 1.1 Identify any hazards and occupational health and safety (OHS) issues for a safe work site and notify appropriate personnel 1.2 Connect a series and a parallel DC and AC circuit configuration following safe work practices 1.3 Choose the appropriate test equipment and measure the values of electrical quantities of the circuits 1.4 Use calculations to verify the measured values of the electrical quantities in a series and in a parallel circuit configuration 1.5 Compare measured values to calculated values and determine the reasons for any variations 1.6 Evaluate results and determine the probable faults if relevant 1.7 Measure voltages present on a telephone line and compare to exchange battery voltage 1.8 Measure resistance to earth, ensuring an electrical earth in a telecommunications installation |
2. Configure a safe ADSL circuit configuration with Mode 3 connection | 2.1 Determine the effects of bandwidth, frequency and attenuation on xDSL circuits as used for broadband customer access 2.2 Design and configure an ADSL circuit from network boundary through to Mode 3 socket for an alarm system connected to a monitoring station 2.3 Configure connection to ensure that an ADSL circuit is not disconnected for safety reasons when an alarm activation in conjunction with a Mode 3 socket disconnects the plain old telephone service (POTS) circuit 2.4 Use a level 3 tester to verify correct termination and installation practices on a digital transmission line |
3. Diagnose and rectify faults | 3.1 Determine urgency and impact of faults and required response timeframe for clearance 3.2 Identify type of fault and determine most probable causes of fault from data and historical trends where available 3.3 Select tools and test equipment relevant to the system and type of fault 3.4 Diagnose fault in a methodical and safe manner using suitable fault-finding technique 3.5 Isolate fault progressively to remove likely variables from diagnostic 3.6 Determine options to rectify the fault and present to customer for decision on rectification 3.7 Document test methods and results and file with other system installation records |
4. Alter existing services | 4.1 Identify existing and proposed cable systems for altering services to an existing installation 4.2 Plan alterations to cause minimal disruption to ongoing client activity 4.3 Use appropriate tools to safely terminate telecommunications cables and outlets 4.4 Identify and rectify any cable fault 4.5 Carry out alterations in a safe manner and according to both mandatory and recommended industry standards 4.6 Identify risks posed by contact with remote power feeding services 4.7 Test alteration and obtain sign-off from customer |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to listen and liaise with clients on technical and operational matters related to sign-off for alteration of services
literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and incorporate technical language into written tasks, such as reporting on recommendations to minimise recurrent fault occurrence
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
research skills to access technical information and sources to understand fundamental principles of telecommunication networks
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 OHS 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
perform fault-finding tasks
alter services.
Required knowledge
application of binary number conversion and interpretation
AC and DC electrical quantities, including SI units, OHS issues and the application of Ohm’s law
fault-finding techniques and use of testing equipment, including:
multimeter to measure DC voltage, current and resistance
continuity tester to check continuity wiring
testing of open circuits and short circuits
overview of:
ADSL circuitry and configurations
digital transmission concepts, including installation practices and testing
procedures in altering existing services, including sign-off
difference between analog and digital signals.
Evidence Required
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: use concepts of ADSL application and design use fault-finding techniques to locate cabling faults in telecommunications networks use Ohm’s law to solve DC and AC electrical problems apply digital transmission principles and testing use test equipment alter existing customer services complying with all related OHS requirements and work practices. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: a site where altering existing services for a customer may be conducted appropriate AC and DC testing equipment manufacturer’s documentation and equipment correct tools and measuring equipment currently used in industry. |
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: direct observation of the candidate undertaking AC and DC measurements and fault-finding oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of fundamental concepts of telecommunications practices and recurrent fault-finding techniques evaluation of written ADSL design concepts direct observation of visual checks and evaluation of written procedures in altering existing services direct observation of the candidate altering existing customer services. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTCBL2136B Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Restricted Rule ICTTEN2140B Use hand and power tools ICTWHS2170B Follow work health and safety and environmental policies and procedures. 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. |
Range Statement
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: | DC circuit: resistances single DC voltage source: battery DC voltage supply solar panel AC circuit: inductors, capacitors and resistances single AC voltage source: AC generator AC voltage supply alternator low voltage (LV) AC source. |
Safe work practices may relate to: | component tolerances are not exceeded correct use of power supply and test equipment identifying any 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: | digital multimeter multimeter ohmmeter voltmeter. |
Electrical quantities may include: | current power voltage. |
Calculations may include: | application of Ohm’s law engineering notation power calculations power consumption and efficiencies voltage dividers voltage, resistance and current calculations. |
Probable faults may include: | faulty component faulty source voltage open circuits short circuits. |
xDSL circuits may include: | ADSL ADSL2 ADSL2+. |
ADSL circuit may include: | ADSL filters connected at a main distribution frame (MDF) central filters and splitters installed at a network termination device (NTD) central filters and splitters installed internally domestic installations and small shops that use a telecommunications outlet (TO) or NTD as a network boundary DSL and Mode 3 connections. |
Level 3 tester may include: | continuity F set local area network (LAN) Cat tester split pair wire map. |
Type of fault may include: | cable electrical hardware software system. |
Fault-finding technique may include: | half term testing isolation of sections logical mapping using testing equipment. |
Altering services may include: | changing cable installation client interaction identifying mission critical services identifying remote power feeding upgrading a service. |
Appropriate tools may include: | basic hand tools F sets for cable identification Krone termination tool multimeter wire strippers. |
Terminate telecommunications cables and outlets may include: | stripping a: 2 pair internal rated 3 pair external rated cable 4 pair Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable terminating a TO termination using screw terminals. |
Cable fault may include: | earth contact foreign battery no voltage open circuit short circuit split pair. |
Sectors
Telecommunications - Cabling
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.