Cablers, installers and technicians who install and maintain a broad range of telecommunications networks including fault investigations, apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for fault-finding activity

1.1. Prepare for given work according to occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements

1.2. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.3. Locate existing and potential site hazards

1.4. Contact the customer to verify nature of the recurrent fault and the network type

2. Conduct activities for recurrent network fault-finding

2.1. Analyse fault history using fault records to establish nature of fault

2.2. Select testequipment and conduct the appropriate test to identify potential faults ensuring the diagnostic process does not compromise the integrity of the network element or system

2.3. Evaluate test results to determine relevant symptoms of the recurrent fault using appropriate methods and appropriate process

2.4. Locate the probable cause, type and location of the fault

2.5. Rectify the fault or escalate to appropriate level

3. Report fault-findings and solutions

3.1. Prepare customer report on the diagnostic procedure, fault identification and fault clearance

3.2. Update fault records database

3.3. Restore worksite to the customer's satisfaction

3.4. Notify the customer and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to question and respond to subject matter experts on technical and operational matters related to performance of telecommunications networks and fault-finding

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and incorporate technical language into written tasks and basic reports

numeracy skills to interpret technical data for specifications of telecommunications networks

planning and organisational skills to:

coordinate the fault-finding process in liaison with others

plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem solving skills to apply network fault-finding techniques in a telecommunications network

research skills to interrogate databases and other sources to investigate systematic and logical fault-finding techniques 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 to undertake fault-finding techniques in telecommunications networks

Required knowledge

application of Ohm's law, impedance and reactance formulas to solve AC electrical problems

behaviour of faulty network elements, including symptoms and impact on network

interpretation of test results and network element/system specifications

operation and purpose of testing equipment

operation of transformers

overview of telecommunications networks

performance testing and fault finding techniques of telecommunications networks

systematic and logical fault finding

types of power sources used in telecommunications networks

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:

test telecommunications networks to identify faults

identify and rectify recurrent faults

conduct and report on a fault-finding task in a telecommunications network for a range of faults

use systematic and logical fault-finding techniques in telecommunications networks and field testing procedures to particular workplace situations

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which network testing and fault-finding may be conducted

use of line transmission, optical and radio measurement equipment currently used in industry

system documentation, and other site-related documentation necessary to conduct tests and fault-finding investigations.

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 network tests and fault-finding techniques

review of the candidate's evaluation of network testing and fault diagnosis

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of performance of telecommunications networks.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN3056A Install telecommunications network equipment.

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.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

need to decommission and isolate worksite and lines prior to commencement

need to identify other services, including power and gas

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves:

leather

plastic

rubber

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses for laser work

safe working 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

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste disposal containers:

drop sheets

sharps containers

waste management.

Hazards may include:

earth potential rise (EPR):

optical fibre cable:

bare fibres

hazardous laser light

radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation

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

Recurrent fault may relate to:

call drop out

distortion

heat, vibration

intermittent fault or interference

noise

occurrences at set periodic times

periodic loss of performance.

Network type may include:

cable

customer access network (CAN)

customer premises equipment (CPE)

data

hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)

optical

radio.

Fault records may include:

customer complaint database

fault records database

previous repairs

repair technician reports.

Test equipment may include:

bit error rate tester (BERT)

cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)

local area network (LAN) Cat tester

multimeters

transmission level measuring set.

Appropriate test may include:

bit error rate (BER)

crosstalk

impedance

loopback

power level

return loss

wire maps.

Integrity may include:

downgraded performance

interference

loss of connection.

Relevant symptoms may include:

emission of:

heat

noise

odours

errors

low output levels or poor coverage

loss of functionality of equipment:

distortion

intermittent operation

loss of timings

noise

physical damage to equipment.

Appropriate methods may include:

direct observation

interrogation of network performance data

measurement

questioning.

Appropriate process may include:

analysis of symptoms

fault isolation

observation and measurements

use of manufacturer's diagnostic data.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.