Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install, test and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises for communications applications using a range of terminations that may include direct termination, fusion splicing and mechanical splicing.
It applies to technical staff who place, secure and terminate optical fibre cable in new installations and upgrades or maintain existing networks in domestic, commercial and industrial installations. Communications applications include digital and analog, telephony, data, video, digital broadcasting, computer networks, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and multimedia.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements apply to telecommunications systems. 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for installation of optical fibre cable | 1.1 Access site according to enterprise procedures 1.2 Inform appropriate personnel of identified 1.3 Organise tools, cabling products, equipment and materials for given work 1.4 Match optical fibre cable 1.5 Check proposed route and bend ratios according to manufacturer specifications and industry standards 1.6 Test fibres in the cable on the drum for optical continuity as required 1.7 Use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, when working with bare fibre stripping/cleaving and utilise sharps disposal containers for bare fibre off cuts 1.8 Place fibre patch leads in support pathway, avoiding pressure, crushing and bending |
2 Clean and inspect connectors | 2.1 Test patch leads, before use, for continuity with a visible light source and inspect and clean connector end faces 2.2 Test fibre connectors ensuring the circuit has no infra-red transmission (dark fibre) 2.3 Ensure that associated equipment is labelled to inform others not to switch the equipment on or reconnect patch leads 2.4 Remove connector dust cover and inspect for dust and damage using an optical microscope or video microscope 2.5 Clean connectors with recommended cleaning tools, using wet and dry methods as required and re-inspect 2.6 Replace connectors or patch cords when inspection reveals irreparable damage or contamination cannot be cleaned off 2.7 Place fibre patch leads in support pathway avoiding pressure, crushing and bending |
3. Install indoor/outdoor cables and pigtails to an indoor enclosure | 3.1 Undertake work in a controlled environment 3.2 Strip loose tube fibre cable and fit cable and fibres to an indoor enclosure 3.3 Prepare pigtails on workstation in an orderly manner matching cable fibre colour codes to pigtail colour codes as required |
4. Terminate or fusion-splice cable | 4.1 Prepare fibre for splicing, cleaning and cleaving 4.2 Splice prepared fibres 4.3 Shrink splice protective sleeve to spliced fibres and allow to cool |
5.Terminate fibre using direct connectorisation | 5.1 Prepare fibre (250 um and/or 900 um fibres) for mechanical splicing, cleaning and cleaving 5.2 Connect mechanical splice connector |
6.Test circuit joints | 6.1 Use visible light sources safely to determine continuity of patch cords and fusion/mechanical splices 6.2 Test each fibre circuit joint for transmission loss with a light source and power meter, and re-terminate joint or connector when transmission loss exceeds industry standards and manufacturer specifications 6.3 Record all measurements in dBm for customer handover |
7. Remove fibre hazards from work area | 7.1 Clean work area thoroughly to minimise risk of injury from glass fibre off-cuts 7.2 Dispose of waste safely according to relevant environmental requirements 7.3 Restore worksite to customer satisfaction |
8. Document installation | 8.1 Update plans and records with details of installation and test results 8.2 Notify customer of work completion and obtain sign-off |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance, but not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Recognises the structures and distinguishing features of a range of familiar text types |
Writing | Chooses appropriate text type to communicate relevant information and/or ideas effectively |
Oral Communication | Demonstrates awareness of choices in register, especially in situations that are familiar |
Numeracy | Interprets and comprehends whole numbers and familiar or routine fractions, decimals and percentages |
Navigate the world of work | Takes personal responsibility for adherence to legal and regulatory responsibilities relevant to own work context, and draws attention to any issues that may affect self or others |
Get the work done | Implements actions as per plan, making slight adjustments if necessary, and addressing some unexpected issues Automatically implements standard procedures for routine decisions in response to familiar problems Understands when to take responsibility and when to notify others |
Sectors
Telecommunications – Cabling