Technical staff apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to locate and rectify communications cable system faults, including local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). Their roles could include carrying out installation, maintenance and cable upgrades including structured cabling and network cabling. They may make use of test routines and databases.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to locate and rectify cable fault

1.1. Prepare for given work according to relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.2. Inform appropriate personnel of existing and potential hazards on worksite

1.3. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.4. Establish the type of cable and nature of fault from the customer for the cable system

1.5. Select suitable testing tools and equipment and personal protective equipment to meet required industry standards

2. Locate and diagnose the cable fault

2.1. Conduct appropriate test following occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements to identify type of cable fault

2.2. Isolate the fault progressively to remove likely variables from assessment

2.3. Locate the cable fault without undue interruptions to the customer activity in the shortest possible time

2.4. Notify the customer of the findings

3. Rectify the fault

3.1. Present customer with options to rectify the fault

3.2. Advise the customer of the costs of any repair not covered by service agreement

3.3. Conduct the fault rectification, if the customer agrees, in a manner which is safe to the repair team and the customer

3.4. Escalate any unresolved faults to other parties for resolution if required

4. Complete documentation and clean up worksite

4.1. Advise the customer of successful fault clearance and obtain sign off

4.2. Complete all records

4.3. Complete reports to justify the fault diagnosis and rectification methodology if required

4.4. Remove all waste and debris from worksite and dispose of according to environmental requirements

4.5. Restore any changes made to the worksite during fault repair to the client's satisfaction

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals and specifications

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organisational skills to organise and maintain equipment

problem solving skills to:

solve equipment and logistics problems

provide solutions on fault rectification to customer

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

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to all safety requirements

technical skills to:

perform fault clearance

use diagnostic equipment

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

ACMA Competency Requirements for Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000

features and operating requirements of test equipment

information required to operate equipment according to a test specification

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that impact on the work activity

manufacturer's requirements for safe operation of testing tools and equipment

specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions

test methods and performance requirements

typical issues and challenges that occur on site

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:

identify different faults using simple checks, tests and fault-finding methodology

determine and rank likely causes of fault

provide fault rectification solutions to customer

rectify faults

escalate unresolved faults to other parties for resolution

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where cable system tests may be conducted

use of fault-finding equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on cable system testing and fault-finding activities.

Methods 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 test results and fault-finding methodologies

direct observation of the candidate locating and identifying cable system faults.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTCBL2016A Joint metallic conductor 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.

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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM)
Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

Contract Law

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) requirements

OHS

regulated or industry codes of practice including appropriate ACMA technical standards

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

Trade Practices Act.

Hazards may include:

building debris

earth potential rise (EPR):

event at a site, such as an electrical distribution substation, may expose telecommunications personnel, users or plant to hazardous voltages

glass fibre

live power lines

manual handling

mud and water

natural gas and other gas build up

needle stick injury

optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light

radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation

remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage (TNV)

vermin.

Type of cable may include:

access cable

coaxial cable

customer cable

data cable

optical fibre cable.

Nature of fault may include:

distortion

earth hum

interference

intermittent

low signal level

noise

poor signal quality.

Customer may include:

fault centre

individual reporting the fault

network manager

network operations centre staff

site manager.

Cable system may include:

access network cabling

coaxial cabling

data cabling:

Category 5, 6E or 7

lead-in cable

optical network cabling

structured cabling.

Testing tools and equipment may include:

bridge set

cable locater

cable test set

digital fault test set

Megger

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)

pulse echo test set.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include:

electrical isolators

gas detectors

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves:

plastic

rubber

leather

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses.

Appropriate test may include:

capacitive balancing

continuity

distortion

foreign battery test

frequency measurement

insertion loss

insulation

return loss.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

identifying other services, including power and gas

need for decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

safety equipment:

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

safety barriers

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

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

tools and equipment

materials

chemicals

work platforms

asbestos

suitable light and ventilation

special access requirements

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Type of cable fault may include:

attenuation

bad connections

cable damage

cracked fibre

crossed wires

faulty splice

high impedance

incorrect terminations

moisture ingress

near end crosstalk

open circuits

reversal.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Cabling

This unit contains employability skills.